She snaps her fingers at David and he scrambles forward with a large book of paint swatches, and I flip through the pages slowly while examining each color.
"This one." I tap a swatch labeled "Soft Cashmere" in a warm creamy tone with the faintest hint of pink. "For the reception and the hallways, and this one for her personal office." I flip to another page and point at a slightly deeper shade called "Ballet Slipper" that has more warmth to it.
Helena peers at the swatches. "Those are beautiful choices, Mr. Ivanovich, very elegant."
"My wife has good taste and I'm just making sure the space reflects that."
I close the book and hand it back to David who accepts it with visible relief that this part is over.
"Send the final proposal to my assistant by tomorrow morning," I say while checking my watch.
"Of course, Mr. Ivanovich, it was a pleasure working with you."
I head for the exit and step outside into the afternoon sun.
Time to get Anya.
CHAPTER 4
ILAY
"Mr. Ivanovich," the receptionist says with a smile that is a little too wide. "You're early today."
"I'm taking my daughter to lunch."
"Of course, let me call her classroom." She glances at the single yellow rose in my hand like she does every time I come to pick up Anya, and I can tell she wants to ask about it but she never does.
She picks up the phone and speaks quietly into it, and a few minutes later a door down the hallway opens and a tiny blonde figure comes barreling toward me at full speed.
"Papa!"
Anya crashes into my legs and wraps her arms around them, and I crouch down to scoop her up into my arms.
"Hello, princess," I say while pressing a kiss to her forehead and handing her the rose. "How was school?"
She takes the rose and holds it to her nose, inhaling deeply before answering. "I survived."
I bite back a laugh. "Did you now?"
"Yes, and I was brave like you said, and I only cried one time but it was small so it doesn't count."
"I'm proud of you."
She beams at me and then her expression turns serious. "Papa, is it time for the secret mission now?"
"First we eat lunch, then we do the secret mission."
"Where are we eating?"
"Wherever you want."
Her eyes go wide and she taps her chin with her finger. "I want pasta."
"Then pasta it is."
I carry her out of the building and Viktor is already holding the car door open for us. I slide into the backseat with Anya on my lap and she immediately starts playing with my watch, twisting it around my wrist and examining the face like she has never seen it before even though she does this every single time she sits with me.
"Papa," she says without looking up from the watch.
