She and Jayne giggle as my cheeks warm.
I guess he is.
And that’s hot.
But he’s not really mine. Not like that.
“Guys, you know that’s not our relationship. We’re barely friends, much less anything else.”
Serena rolls her eyes. “Okay, you do you. I can’t force you to see what’s in front of you.”
“He’s going back to Russia when he retires. There’s no reason to start something.”
But even as I say it, I wonder if I’m missing out on something—someone—wonderful.
A lot can happen in a year.
Chapter Ten
Viktor
After practice, I stop by the library. Kelly and I need to talk and this is the only time I can get her alone. I could call her, but it’s easier this way. My parents arrive tomorrow, and the last round of the playoffs before the championship series begins the following day, so there won’t be a lot of time for anything else.
“Hey.” Kelly looks up in surprise when I walk in. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought we could talk,” I say in Russian.
“English,” she says gently, since we practice as much as possible.
I shake my head. “Not for this. It’s important.”
“Uh oh.” She cocks her head. “What’s up?”
“I need you to stop being so judgmental with Holly. I know you think we’ve made a mistake but it’s done. She’s my wife, for at least a year, if not more.”
Her brows inch up. “More? When did more become a possibility?”
I ignore that. “We’re both under a lot of pressure and it’s going to be exponentially worse once my family arrives. I need to know I can count on you. If my mother gets wind that you disapprove—and I talk about you to her all the time, so she knows how close we are—she’ll immediately zero in on that.”
Kelly doesn't react, merely allows me to continue.
“And I absolutely cannot have you and my mother ganging up on Holly. It would hurt me if you did that.”
“I would never gang up on her,” she protests.
“Kelly. You become as cold as a glacier whenever you’re in the same room with her. You don’t say or do anything overt, but it’s obvious to everyone you don’t like her.”
“I just think you’re being taken advantage of. What’s a year going to do? I mean, your mom doesn’t know that, but a year from now, you’re going to be back to square one.”
“Which is why there’s a possibility the arrangement will last longer.”
“So, what? You’re going to just keep offering her more money to stay around? How is that good for anyone?”
I scowl. “Kelly.”
“Viktor.” She doesn’t back down easily, and I appreciate it because I know it comes from a place of caring, but I can’t deal with it right now.
“In the summer, when hockey is over and my parents are back in Russia, you can say anything you like. And you don’t have to be best friends with Holly. But right now, until my parents leave, can you fake it or do I need to ask you to stay away from us until then?”
