Page 69 of Frequency of Attraction

His heart would never recover from this underwater birthday princess. And he knew exactly what his next tattoo would be: the lines of this carousel and a curly-haired angel with a handmade tiara.

Mila never seemed to tire of the carousel. Even when Dasha reminded her she had presents to open and cake to eat, she didn’t want to stop spinning. Vadim couldn’t help but feel that part of her came from him. She was a thrill-seeker like himself. He didn’t need gifts. He needed to feel something.

He certainly felt something when he lifted a giggly Mila into his arms and turned around to head back to the picnic table. Quinn sat there, looking as surprised as he felt. But surprise didn’t hide the fact that she also looked happy. Rested. Fucking stunning in an off-the-shoulder sundress that revealed her freckled limbs.

The little blonde was so beautiful and damn if it didn’t look—and feel—like she belonged there with them. With him.

33

Baba Mila had tricked her. She’d drawn Quinn out of the house with,We’re playing at the park by you. Join us?She had not mentioned Vadim. She had not mentioned Mila’s birthday.

Vadim had scooped Mila in his arms and was heading their way. He stopped when he saw her. His pause and stare lasted too long. God, he probably didn’t want her there. This was his family. His life. She was trespassing.

“Oh,babushka,” Quinn whispered. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing! I’m just bringing Mila’s favorite people together for her birthday. That’s Vadim’s sister. She just arrived from Moscow. I guess she’s staying with him in California for a while.”

“You could have told me it was Mila’s birthday. Who comessanspresents to a four-year-old’s party?”

Baba Mila patted her hand. “Quinn, you gave her the gift of education. The gesture was kind and unexpected and more than enough. Just like you.”

Quinn had to fight tears with that one. Little Mila wiggling out of Vadim’s arms and launching herself at Quinn with a “Kin!” didn’t help.

“Hi, sweet girl!Joyeux anniversaire!”

Quinn wrapped the tiny, warm little girl into her arms. After a few seconds, Mila pulled back, blinking her wide, Vadim-hued eyes. “What did you bring me?”

Quinn glared at Baba Mila, who whispered to her granddaughter in Russian.

“Thank you for my school, Kin.”

She smiled. “You’re welcome. If there’s something you still want after you open all of these presents, let me know.”

The little pixie nodded and moved to her grandmother. Quinn brought her gaze up to Vadim and his sister, who stood next to the table. Both were so tall and possessed ice-blue eyes like Mila’s. A smile played about the sister’s lips, while Vadim’s face was a mess of confused crinkles.

The woman moved first. “I am Dasha, Mila’s auntie.” She stuck out her hand.

Quinn stood to shake it. “I’m Quinn. I’m a friend of both Milas and I work, loosely, with your brother. Nice to meet you. Are you enjoying Boston?”

Dasha plunked next to her and chattered about Boston, of which she’d only seen a few neighborhoods in daylight, and Victory, which she’d seen more of with Trav the bartender, of all people.

“He makes exceptional condiments. I like his spicy avocado ranch especially,” Quinn shared. She could go for some right about now, along with the fried pickles. PMS was in full swing, hence the easy emotions.

The young woman smiled, showing dimples in her cheeks. Her long brown hair danced in the wind. She was striking, like her brother. “He is very nice. He was playing for me all his favorite music.”

Quinn nodded. She’d never seen Trav in anything other than musically themed shirts. She glanced over at Vadim, who had taken a seat near the Milas. He slid the stack of gifts closer to the birthday girl.

“That’s quite the haul,” she commented.

“We’re making up for lost time,” Dasha replied.

“That was a shitty situation Annika put him in,” Quinn replied, dropping her voice. “You, too. All of you.”

Dasha nodded. “From what I hear, you fixed what was broken. You have our thanks, all of us. These moments would not have happened without you.”

“All I did was make a call.”

“You did more than that,” Vadim cut in.

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