Page 103 of The Failed Audition

But Nikolai ignores them, his intensity all mine. He approaches the burly employee, and they switch glow necklaces. When Nik returns to me, he has a green one.

“Awwww,” girls in the crowdactuallymake that noise, rooting for us.

His gaze never leaves me as he snaps the new necklace around my collar. “There’s no confusion anymore, myshka.”

I touch the necklace, wondering about his ex-girlfriend. I haven’t ever asked about her, but the deeper we go, the more I know I’ll have to.

I can’t move past that gaze, the one that strips layers with rapid efficiency. It’s even more intrusive than the first time we met. Because he knows for certain what lies beneath the sheet.

Then he kisses me soft, then harder, his tongue parting my lips. An ache tickles my throat, the drunken encouragements like a Greek chorus. Courage lifts my shoulders. It’s not from booze. It’s just from being near him.

His breath warms my ear. And he whispers, “I choose you.”

My heart pounds.

He breaks away, fingers laced with mine, and his long once-over heats my core…and a lower place, clenching.

The cheers are even louder than before. I look up andso many peoplehave gathered. The sprinklers don’t shut off yet and everyone starts clapping to the beat of “Temperature” by Sean Paul, splashing water.

“They’re excited—” he watches me absorb my surroundings “—because I’ve never done this with a girlfriend before.”

Girlfriend.“I’m your girlfriend?” My smile is an uncontrollable one, where I can’t for the life of me restrain or hide it.

He says something in Russian.

I don’t have to wait for him to translate. He’s said this phrase so many times.

You’re cute.

I inhale strongly,a handstand competition.In a see-through dress. I can do this. I can. I know, for a fact, I can. However, I’m not sure if I’ll beat him. That’s the mystery.

Quickly I climb back over his earlier proclamation. He’s never done this with another girlfriend. He’s sharing this with me, his spectacle, his after-show—that’s all him.

He’s letting me experience his entire world.

“Can she even push you over!” someone shouts.

“Can you?” Nikolai asks me, his lips rising in an alluring smile.

I can try.I rest my palms on his chest, beads of water still rolling down. And I take a runner’s stance and I try, with all my might, to shove him back.

He’s a fortress.

A laughing fortress. “Try harder, myshka.”

“I am,” I retort, putting all my strength in my quads and biceps. My face reddens as I push, but I realize that he’s positioned his legs in a way that deadens my force. I breathe heavily and crane my neck up to him.

He’s way too entertained by this. “Little mouse,” he says. “You can’t knock me back, even if you tried.”

“Oooh!” The crowds collectively make the noise. I hear the jest that I missed the first time against him, all lighthearted.

I catch my breath, my hands on my hips. “One day. I will. Even if it takes me years.”Years?It sounds like I’m assuming we’ll be together for that long. I open my mouth to clarify my slip, but he speaks first.

“Even if it takes you forever,” he rephrases, his eyes bearing on my heart. “Are you ready?” He means for the handstand competition. But beneath his words there is so much more. Am I ready for a life with him?

“Yes.” I nod, without hesitation. “I’m more than ready.”

ACT THIRTY

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