Page 38 of The Arrangement

Ty's eyebrows shoot up, but I plow on, the words tumbling out now.

"Enter Maksim, claiming I need to pay up. There's been some...flirting," I admit, a half-grin sneaking through despite the seriousness of my situation. “Maksim has cleared the debt, but I don’t know if everything is okay.”

Ty's reaction is a masterpiece of shock and disbelief, his mouth agape as he processes each revelation. "Holy shit, Tory. This is...a lot."

"Yeah, tell me about it," I agree, leaning back with a sigh. The bit about the camera, though? That's a detail I choose to keep to myself, especially since it's already been dealt with—destroyed, to be exact.

Ty shakes his head, awe and concern etched across his face. "Just when I thought running a dog daycare was as exciting as it gets. You okay, though?"

I nod, a determined set to my jaw. "Yeah, I am. Thanks to Maksim, weirdly enough. Friday's still a go, and I intend to find out just how deep this rabbit hole goes."

As we finish locking up, Ty shakes his head, amusement and disbelief mingling in his expression. "Your life's turned into a full-blown action movie, Tory. You realize that, right? Going on a date with Maksim is just... Are you sure you're not a bit out of your mind?"

I can't help but laugh, leaning back against the closed door. "Maybe just a tad. But, Ty, I think it's going to be alright. I actually trust him," I confess, surprising myself a little with the conviction in my voice.

Ty gives me a look, one that's part skepticism, part genuine concern. "Good luck, then. I really hope it works out for you. But let's not forget how well your last rendezvous with a bad boy went," he says, reminding me of Ned's introduction into my life—charm dialed up to a hundred and trouble written all over him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I admit, rolling my eyes. "You tried to warn me off him, remember? But the more you talked, the more appealing Ned became. It's like you were his hype man."

Ty laughs at that, a hearty, genuine sound. "True, I might have accidentally sold you on the dearly departed Ned. But you've always had a soft spot for the bad types."

He's not wrong, and I'm not about to deny it. "Guilty as charged," I say with a grin. "But Maksim's different. He's not Ned."

"Sure, he's different," Ty concedes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "He's a criminal with a nicer car and a bit of distinguished gray. Totally different league."

I chuckle, despite the niggling doubts his words stir up. "Come on. Maksim's got layers. He's complicated."

Ty's laughter fades, replaced by a look of earnest worry. "Tor, I just don't want you to get hurt. Ned was a disaster, and Maksim... well, he's still a wild card. Just promise me you'll be careful, okay?"

I nod, feeling a warmth for my friend's unease. "I will. I promise. My heart's telling me this is right. But," I glance away, contemplating the turmoil of my emotions, "I guess there's a part of me, and definitely you, questioning this whole thing."

As we say our goodbyes and I head for my office slash bedroom, the weight of our conversation lingers. Ty's words echo in my mind. My heart's all in, betting on this connection with Maksim, on the flicker of something real between us. But my head, and Ty, well, they're not so easily convinced.

Flopping into my office chair, I can't shake the feeling of being at a crossroads. Choosing Maksim, stepping further into his world—is a gamble my heart's willing to make.

Chapter 19

Maksim

One month later…

Arare grin spreads across my face as I glance at my phone. I'd arranged for a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to Tory, a gesture to show her she's on my mind. The confirmation comes in the form of a photo she sends me—her, radiating happiness, clutching the flowers, with one of her dogs making a comedic attempt at a floral snack.

Our first outing that Friday set the tone for what was to come. I’d taken her to Nightscape, an exclusive spot where the outside world fades away, leaving only the connection between those within its walls.

The night was a blend of shared stories, laughter that filled the air, and a mutual discovery that drew us closer. As the evening wound down, the connection we'd nurtured found its expression in more private ways.

Since that night, our paths haven't crossed daily, yet not a day goes by without us talking, sharing pieces of our days, our thoughts. It's a rhythm we've fallen into naturally, conversations that span from the mundane to the profound, interspersed with moments spent together that only deepen the bond we're building.

Each time we meet, it's as if we're picking up right where we left off, a seamless continuation of the exploration we began the first night. There's a comfort in her presence, a sense of rightness that comes from being with someone who understands me, challenges me, and accepts me—all at once.

This connection is something I hadn't anticipated, yet here I am, drawn to her in ways I'm still unraveling. And as I set my phone down, ready to focus on the tasks awaiting my attention, a part of me is already looking forward to our next conversation, our next meeting.

My train of thought is suddenly derailed by Adelina's booming announcement, "Uncle Aleksey's here!" Her energy could power the city, and despite the near damage to my eardrums, I can't help but grin. "Thanks for the heads-up, princess," I manage amidst her giggles when I rub my ear.

The moment is light, full of laughter, until Aleksey strides in, and Adelina, ever the curious one, launches the question I wasn't prepared to field just yet.

"When is your girlfriend gonna come over again?" The innocence of her query does nothing to ease the tension that snaps tight in the room.

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