“Yes.” Serena is a good friend because she smiles and answers all their questions while we wait for the Uber to arrive, while we’re on the way to the diner, and even as we eat.
It turns out they are all big fans of the original Dusty Peaks, which aired in Russia just last year, even though it’s been off the air for a couple of years.
“This is so exciting,” Olga says, finally looking at me. “I had no idea you had such interesting friends!”
Serena doesn’t miss a beat. “Well, considering who her father is, she has lots of interesting friends.”
Oh, shit.
I don’t know if they know about my dad.
“Your father?” Mrs. Maslak turns to me in confusion.
“My father is a Georgia state senator,” I say quietly.
There’s a moment of silence. I know Irina probably doesn’t understand that but my mother-in-law’s eyes go wide and Olga blinks.
“Your father is a politician?”
“Yes. For a long time. Since I was a teenager. He was a small-town mayor when I was younger and then he was elected to the Senate right when I was in college. He’s in his second term now.”
I can practically see the wheels turning.
I’m the daughter of a politician. Ostensibly someone powerful. And that, apparently, means more than anything else.
“We will meet your family?” Mrs. Maslak asks at last.
I hesitate. “Honestly, I don’t know my father’s schedule. He travels a lot, but I’m sure he’ll try to be at one of the games.” I don’t know if that’s true but it’s probably best not to explain that I’m not close to my father.
“This is interesting. You must tell us more.”
I see Serena’s smirk, even as she hides it by taking a sip of coffee.
I don’t know whether I want to smack her or thank her.
Chapter Eighteen
Viktor
Game two is a shit show.
The New York team came to play and they pretty much wiped the ice with us. And though I don’t ever assign blame—because I certainly have my off nights—this one wasn’t on me. I’m the only reason it was close. We lost 2-1 but our offense couldn’t seem to make anything happen.
Obviously, New York wants to get to the finals as much as we do, so they’re not going down without a fight. Luckily, we’re on our way back to Atlanta and the hope is that the hometown crowd will give us an edge.
In the meantime, my father has been up my ass. He was with me at practice before the game, then came into the locker room after, and now that we’re home, he’s coming to practice with me. I could tell him Coach doesn’t want anyone there but it’s not true, at least not for today, so I figure this is a relatively safe way to spend time with him. He’s pretty laid back, especially without my mother around.
“I feel there’s something you’re not telling us about Holly,” he says as we drive to the arena the morning after we get back.
“Like what?” I ask, tensing.
“Well, you didn’t mention her father is an important man.”
I shrug. “It has nothing to do with us. And he’s…” I hesitate, unsure how to express myself. “Let’s just say he’s not nice to her. He treats her like a pretty toy, instead of a grown woman with a brain and a soul.”
He’s thoughtful. “Many powerful men are like this. Does he like you?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “We only met once and he wasn’t happy about the marriage.”
