Page 92 of Crave

“Jesus,” I mutter, staring at the enormous bouquet of red roses sprinkled with every shade in a crystal glass vase on my dining table.

Next to it is a card in a pink envelope. Ripping it open, I find a picture of a donkey that looks like he’s grinning. Typical Alexei.

Lara,

This is just the start of the last year of your twenties.

And this is just the beginning of our new chapter.

I’ll see you later for the rest of your gifts.

If you thought you were spoiled as my friend, wait until you see what happens when you’re mine completely.

You make me so happy, baby.

Love,

Alexei, Sheila, and Bruce.

(Shelia is still warming up to you)

Despite the burning sensation of my tears, uncontrollable laughter escapes from my lips.

Maybe this will be the best birthday of all time.

Zipping up the last outfit I tried on, I look at the pile of discarded ones on the bed. I need to work out in the morning. Nothing is fitting right again.

I finally settle on a black dress that sits just above the knee, with lace sleeves and a plunging neckline. It hugs me in just about the right places, enough to make it look like I actually have an ass rather than a pancake.

I smooth the sides and twist in the mirror. I wish my hips didn’t stick out so much. It would look much sleeker.

I almost jump when the unmistakable sound of Nikolai thudding on the front door echoes through the walls. Grabbing my purse from the table, I straighten the heart diamond necklace Alexei bought me last year, and then I’m ready to go.

Opening up before he beats it down, I find Nikolai with his stunning wife on his arm, smiling at me.

Mikhail is just behind them. I know from the wrinkles near his eyes he’s grinning under the black balaclava.

God, I wish I could see his full face again.

“Happy birthday little sis,” Mikhail says from beneath his mask.

I run into his arms for one of his bear hugs. He might be cold to everyone else, but to me, he is always my funny big brother.

Even if what happened to him made his heart full of ice, I know beneath the veil and wall of stone, the real Mikhail is in there.

The sound of frantic beeping has us all looking at each other quizzically. Alexei is missing and I bet that the commotion is his doing.

Which makes my stomach flutter with butterflies.

He strolls into my house twirling a key around his finger with a lollipop stick in his mouth.

“Alexei!” I squeal as he spots me and zooms towards me like a stalker hunting his prey. Before I know it, he picks me up and spins me in the air. I’m almost dizzy when he sets me down on my feet and wraps his muscular arms around me.

“Happy birthday, pchelka.”

The moment he releases me and steps away, I feel a fuzzy, tingling sensation wash over me.

Friends. That’s what we are right now, even if I want to slam my lips over his.

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