Page 52 of Nikolai

Just then, Nikolai saunters in from the kitchen, stopping beside me and pulling me into his side. He tips his head. "Ladies."

"Hi, Nikolai," they all say in unison.

Taking his wallet from his back pocket, Nikolai produces a credit card and holds it out to me. "Have fun with the ladies today." I take the card.

"What's our budget?" Alba asks.

"No budget. Whatever Leah wants, she gets." Nikolai answers.

"We can do that,"Bella grins.

Three hours later,I'm standing in front of the girls wearing the sixth dress I've tried on. Polson doesn't have a bridal store, so we had to drive two towns over to Caroline's Bridal. "This is the one," I tell them, smoothing down the front of the gown with my hands, unable to take my eyes off my reflection in the floor-length mirror. The satin ivory gown hugs all my curves. Spinning, I take in the fabric-covered buttons traveling the length of my spine. I run my palm down the long sleeves, which feel baby soft.

"I agree," Alba says, coming to stand next to me. "It's perfect," Bella adds.

Mila, Grace, Emerson, Sofia, and Glory all nod their heads in approval. "That dress was made for you, Leah." Glory beams.

The owner of the boutique walks over. "Do we have a verdict?"

I look over at her and smile. "Yes. This is my dress."

"Lovely," she clasps her hands together. "It appears the dress only needs a few minor alterations. Luckily, we have a seamstress in the house, and she can have your gown ready by tomorrow."

"Perfect. Thank you."

By the endof the day, I'm exhausted. Thankfully almost everything has been taken care of. I found my dress, Nikolai said he would take care of buying a new suit. Bella is handling the food and alcohol, Mila volunteered to oversee the flowers and decorations. Emerson informed me earlier that Quinn has insisted on officiating the ceremony, which is fine by me. And Grace is taking care of the cake. In fact, Maxim and I just left her bakery, where she whipped up six different wedding cake samples to try. By the end of the taste test, I went with a luscious lemon mousse, paired with tangy lemon curd, layered with fresh olallieberry compote.

"Would you like to stop anywhere else Miss Leah, before I take you home?" Maxim asks, peering through the rearview mirror.

Remembering I need to grab a change of clothes, I nod. "Yes, please. Can we stop by my apartment?"

"That won't be necessary. Nikolai arranged for your things to be brought to his house today."

Suddenly, I am wide awake. "What? He moved me into his house. Today?"

"Yes. It's all been taken care of."

"Well, I guess we can go home."

Maxim jerks his chin.

"Oh, wait! Can you stop at the store? I forgot I need to pick up a few things."

Maxim acts as my shadow as I shop for the stuff to make homemade waffles in the morning. Next, I move on to the frozen food aisle in search of ice cream. After the mentally draining day I've had, I just want to go home and curl up in bed next to Nikolai with a pint of cookie dough.

"That will be twenty-three seventy-eight," the cashier relays my total as I dig some cash out of my wallet. But before I can pay, Maxim beats me to it.

"What are you doing? You don't have to pay for my things, Maxim. I have the money."

Maxim shakes his head. "Bosses orders."

The girl behind the register pops her gum. "Honey, if a man wants to pay, you let him pay."

Not in the mood to argue, I zip my mouth shut and sigh.

Later that night,I'm lounging in the bed next to Nikolai eating ice-cream while he types away on his laptop. "Did you really move me in today while I was gone?"

"Yes," he replies, not looking up from what he's doing.

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