MAMA: We would just like some time with our only son. Is this too much to ask?
VIKTOR: You should want to be getting to know your new daughter.
MAMA: Please tell me this is just a joke to get me to stop meddling. Please tell me the marriage isn’t real.
VIKTOR: It’s very real. We’ll see you downstairs in a few minutes.
I put the phone down and start to pace.
“You okay?” Holly comes out of the bathroom in white shorts, a pink top, pink sandals, and a pink baseball cap on her head. She’s not wearing much in the way of makeup, maybe some mascara, and her hair is in a ponytail, but she’s absolutely gorgeous.
“My mother makes me…nervous. I feel like she is going to do something bad.”
She laughs. “Come on—unless she plans to physically attack me or something, what’s she going to do? Dump her drink in my lap? Call me names?” She waves a hand. “Now let’s go—we have three minutes to get downstairs.”
“Yes.” I grab my wallet and sunglasses and reach for her hand. “We must talk about last night.”
“Why?” she asks, eyes meeting mine curiously.
“I want to be sure you are…okay.” I pause in front of the elevator and look down into her face.
“It was just sex, Viktor. In case you didn’t notice, I wasn’t a virgin. I’m fine. I mean, it was inevitable, don’t you think? Sleeping in the same bed, spending all our time together, all the holding hands and stuff…but it doesn’t have to change anything. We’re adults. Right?”
I stare for a beat, momentarily confused.
Just sex.
Is that all it was?
Maybe I am overthinking everything.
But there’s no time to say anything more because we’re not alone on the elevator and when we get to the lobby, my parents and Aunt Irina are waiting.
“Olga went with her friend,” Mama says in Russia. “She was not comfortable with your…wife.”
I shrug. “That’s fine with me.”
“Hello.” Holly has a soft, friendly smile and I hate that she has to try so hard while my family all but ignores her.
“Okay. Let’s go. Shall we walk or take an Uber? It’s about four long blocks.”
“I would prefer a car.”
I nod and pull out my phone.
It’s going to be a long day.
Chapter Seventeen
Holly
The day with Viktor’s parents was exhausting. I didn’t mind so much but I felt bad for him because he was supposed to be resting. They dragged us to the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and even the 9/11 Memorial. We didn’t eat dinner until after eight and by the time we get back to the room, I’m completely wiped out.
“I’m going to shower,” Viktor says to me. “Then we will talk.”
“You need to rest.” I shoo him into the bathroom and then change into my pajamas. It’s basically the sleep version of shorts and a tank top, so I’m not trying to be sexy or anything. I know he needs to sleep, and frankly, last night’s sexual adventure has me second-guessing myself.
I am not the type to have casual sex.
