Page 124 of You + Me 2: Face To Face

“Here… It’s from Vadim Arcadi.”

He gives me a playful smile, and my heart starts to race as I unwrap his gift. It’s an old photograph of us, taken twelve years ago, which Vadim has had retouched, printed, and framed. Seeing us happy and carefree, just as deeply in love as we are now, touches me more than I can say. My eyes are already misty when he hands me a second gift, in a box from Cartier. I open it with trembling hands.

“Vadim, it’s beautiful… but it’s way too much.”

“Nothing is too much for you.”

He stands behind me and gently fastens the prettiest necklace I’ve ever seen. The most meaningful, too. It’s a delicate rose-gold chain ending in two interlocking rings set with diamonds. Vadim slowly guides me to a large, gilded mirror, where I admire my reflection—and his, when he kisses the back of my neck.

A few minutes later, it’s his turn. He beams when he unwraps the Hermès watch I wrapped up for him. Then, when he reads the words “You + Me” engraved on the back, he looks at me with an intensity that takes my breath away.

Alma

Christmas has come and gone, taking Vadim with it. He’s been far too absent lately, once again busy chasing Dimitri’s shadow and babysitting his unpredictable best friend. In five days, I’ve only caught a glimpse of him at the office once. And I have the unpleasant feeling that I’m being deprived of everything that keeps me going: his arms, his gaze, his warmth, his scent, his voice, his banter, every inch of him.

Almost as if it’s just read my mind, my phone starts vibrating.

[Vadim

You + Me, in your bubble, at 8 p.m. I can’t stand not seeing you anymore…]

The “bubble” is the affectionate nickname he’s given my apartment. Not everyone gets to live in twenty thousand square feet. And my cozy, little nest has more soul than his palatial suite.

[Alma

I’ll make sure Lily disappears.]

[Vadim

Fe just told me they’re going

to a restaurant tonight.]

[Alma

Am I dreaming, or is it getting serious between them?]