Page 194 of Wicked Proposal
“I’m sorry, baby,” I rasp. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“For what?”
“For never giving you a dad.”
“It’s not your fault.” Eli’s head peeks up. “You’re giving me one now.”
That drags another laugh out of me. How do kids do it? Always see the bright side, no matter what?
“Yeah,” I whisper. “Yeah, I am.”
And just like that, my choice is made.
I’ll marry Yulian. I’ll be his bride. I’ll be his wife.
And together, we’ll be the family we never had.
60
MIA
“Kallie! Have you seen my earrings?!”
“Yeah!” Kallie calls back from the bathroom. “They’re on your ears!”
“Oh.” I touch my lobes and find the cut edge of a diamond. “Right.”
“Mommy!” Eli shouts from the living room. “You’re gonna be late and then Yulian will change his mind and we won’t go live in a big house anymore!”
“Don’t you love it when your kids are supportive?” Kallie snorts.
“I suspect that’s his way of showing support,” I laugh. “Besides, he’s been incredibly cool about all this. He’s earned the right to be sassy.”
“I have to say, I didn’t think the wedding bells were gonna comethisearly.” Kallie steps out of the bathroom in a gorgeous burgundy sari and silver hoop earrings. “Thought there’d be, like, flowers first. Or chocolates.”
“What can I say? We’re a modern couple.”
“I’m lowkey jealous,” she sighs. “At least your guy’s decisive. Mine hasn’t so much as kissed me yet.”
“Seriously?” I fix her neckline in passing. The scent of coconut oil fills my nostrils, sweet and comfortingly familiar. “I didn’t peg Maksim for a ‘wait until marriage’ kind of dude.”
“The word ‘marriage’ would probably give him a heart attack.” She grabs her brushes and sits me down on the bed, picking out a sleek gold eyeshadow to match my jewelry. “I have no idea what goes on in that guy’s mind. One second, it’s like he can’t get enough of me, and the next?—”
“He turns into a cold, unfeeling asshole?”
“Worse. Hepanics.” She shakes her head, her long black braid whipping side to side with the motion.
“Maybe he’s got a complex.” I close my eyes and let Kallie work her magic. “Youaretwenty years his junior.”
“What can I say? I like my men how I like my beer.”
I frown. “German?”
“Bitter.” One final flick of her brush, and she’s all done. “Girl, you’re ready toeat.”
“I’m not sure there’s gonna be food.”
“Regardless.” She makes achef’s kissmotion. “Mwah. Perfection. You’re going to slay harder than any mafioso tonight.”
