Page 32 of Knocked-up Bratva Bride
Katya’s parties tend to have that effect. They are extravagant and grand. She made everything feel like a royal ball, as if we’d all stepped into someone else’s life for a night.
Katya deserved the world, and I wanted to do my best to celebrate her the way she’d celebrated me so many times before.
Grabbing the carefully wrapped gift from my dresser, I smiled at the thought of her reaction.
It was a notebook with a sheet music design. I saw it on eBay and thought it would be the perfect gift for her. I’d even gotten the front page customized with her name. She was obsessed with music and everything related to it.
I glanced once more at my reflection. I’d packed up half of my hair in a messy bun and left the other half to fall over my shoulder in soft curly waves. The blush shade of glimmer and dark outline of mascara made my eyes pop, and the blood red lipstick was flawless.
But something was missing.
My earrings.
I started fishing out the dangling pearl pair from the jewelry box when the doorbell rang and my phone buzzed on the dresser. While fixing the earrings, I squinted at the lit screen. It was a text message from my plus one.
Mr. Stone:I am right outside.
“Lee-ee! You’ve got a guest!” Jasper sang.
“I’m coming!”
I snatched my phone and purse, speedily scuttling to the door.
When my brother saw me, his cheeks turned red. “Lee….” He gasped. “You look like a Kardashian.”
I blinked, still trying to process what he said. “Uh, what now?”
“In 2025, I think that’s a compliment.”
“Is it really? More importantly, since when did you start keeping up with the Kardashians? I thought you preferred the Japanese animations?”
“Sure, I do. It’s just, I have this friend, Rose. She steals peeks at reruns and stray clips on the internet when her mom’s watching, and Rose is such a chatterbox. She said—”
“Forget it. I’m not discussing theKardashianswith you. I have to go now. Thank you for the…compliment.”
He wiggled his brows at me, and I rolled my eyes at his tousled hair and rumpled pajamas. “Go to bed early. Nana should be back from the hospital in a few minutes.”
“What? I’m not a baby anymore, Lee. I don’t need curfews. With or without Nana here, I’ll be fine.”
“No, you won’t,” I hissed rapidly, fully aware that my date stood outside this door, wondering why I was taking so long. “And yes, you still need curfews. Now, to your room, Jaz.”
My brother tried to peek over my shoulder, but I positioned my back to block his view, and he grumbled his way back to his room.
Inhaling a final breath, I opened the door, coming face to face with a grinning Robert. His gaze swept my appearance from my hair to my pointy So Kates—the only expensive pair of shoes I currently owned—and a smirk appeared on his mouth.
“The Kardashians?” He shook his head. “No, you’re way more stunning.”
I blushed furiously. I wasn’t ready to admit it, but I’d secretly hoped to get a compliment on the dress after I decided to venture miles away from my comfort zone. It was an inspiration I’d found on Pinterest: a long, black velvet dress with a deep V-cut, baring my back for the world to see, and a left thigh-high slit that exposed too much skin.
“Thank you.” The warmth in the narrow hallway kissed my skin as I stepped outside and shut the door behind me, chuckling nervously. “You overheard that banter?”
“Wasn’t I supposed to? You two weren’t exactly being discreet,” Robert teased. “But seriously, you’re even more beautiful than ever.”
“I might just explode from all the flattery.” I laughed, waving him off. “You know you didn’t have to come all the way up the building. I could have come outside.”
“A gentleman shows up at the door of his lady, and he goes all the way to make her comfortable.”
My hands trembled slightly from the nerves of being around Robert and the giddy anticipation of Katya’s celebration.
