I reveled in each incremental variation to her expression, the joy it sparked in my ice-compacted heart. Soft bafflement was chased away by hot annoyance before finally settling on wry doubt.
“You sure this is real? It says ‘Graceland Love Productions’ on it. Sounds like a scam.”
“You might want it to be, but a little research will tell you the truth.” She had to know I wouldn’t lie about something so easy to disprove.
“As I said, I’ll do my due diligence and get back to you about next steps.” Said primly, all business. I found it interesting that she had completely ignored my suggestion to give this marriage a shot.
“And when you learn that it is genuine?”
She set her eyes to a squint. “I have a boyfriend, Nazarov. I certainly don’t need a husband who’s surplus to requirements.”
“It is awkward, yes.”
“Exceptionally.”
A boyfriend. Why had I not known this or even suspected it was possible? This put a different spin on the situation for sure.
She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. “So how are you liking Chicago?”
I pressed my lips together against a smile. She could have dismissed me, but I still had my foot in the door.
“It has everything, does it not? The lake, the restaurants, the sports teams, my wife.”
She blew out a breath that made her nostrils flare. “How are you so blasé about this?”
“I am not. I am perfectly serious about it.”
She straightened and pointed at me. “If it’s true, then it’s just an admin error. Married for a laugh, repentance not necessary because there are ways to fix it. Legal ways to get this resolved quickly.”
“True, as long as both parties are willing. As I said, I think we should give the marriage a chance. We are in the same city together after many years. Chimu byt’, tavoh ni mihnovat’.”
“Meaning?”
“You cannot avoid what is meant to happen. This is the universe telling us something.”
“That I shouldn’t drink on a business trip. Or around you. Or in Vegas.” She slumped in her seat. “You know this isn’t real, Alexei, so why are you trying to force it?”
Because I finally have my chance with you, Silver Eyes.
A natural skeptic, she wouldn’t believe that. It would take time to convince her. My job was to create that time.
“Not trying to force it, Lauren. I would like us to date.”
I should have been offended at the horror that crossed her expression, but thankfully I was made of sterner stuff.
“Date?”
“Yes. We could see if we are still compatible after all these years.”
“I. Have. A. Boyfriend!”
Now, I was getting a little annoyed. “You also have a husband. I think one outranks the other.”
“There is no ranking here. You’re an accident, a mistake, a should-never-have-happened. You’re not in the running because you aren’t even real!”
I gestured to the marriage certificate. “That piece of paper says different.”
She raised both hands in frustration. “This is why you have always been impossible, Nazarov! What’s happened here—if it’s happened?—”
