Page 197 of Wicked Proposal
“One of a kind.” He secures it around Eli’s wrist, then taps a button to the side. “Try pointing it at the wall.”
Eli does.
A tiny red dot appears on the peeling wallpaper. His jaw falls. “It’s real!”
“Very real.” Yulian steals a wink my way. “Can’t cut through steel yet, but once you’re older, I’ll upgrade it for you if you like.”
For a moment, Eli doesn’t say anything. Then, suddenly, he does something he’s only ever done with me.
He throws himself into Yulian’s arms.
“Thanks, Yulian! I love it!”
Yulian seems taken aback. But after a heartbeat, his arms wrap around Eli’s frame, hand resting gently on the top of his head. “Anytime, buddy.”
My heart double-clutches in my chest. I find myself blinking back tears to avoid ruining Kallie’s makeup. But the emotion in me is rising fast, a whirlwind of guilt and gratitude all at once.
He’s so good with him. He’ll be so goodforhim.
For us.
“Okay!” I say, forcing cheer back into my voice. “We’ve gotta go now, munchkin. Be good for Uncle Reese, alright?”
“Yes, Mommy.” He hugs my knees. “Have fun. Don’t be late.”
“Since when did you become the parent here?” I joke, ruffling his hair.
“Uncle Reese says Yulian’s car will turn into a pumpkin at midnight. I don’t want to wait ‘til Halloween to see you again.”
“He said that, huh?” I shoot Reese a faux-mad look across the kitchen doorway.
“Hey, I saw it on TV,” Reese justifies. “It must be true.”
I squeeze Yulian’s hand. “Ready?”
He squeezes back. “Ready.”
“Treat her well, Mafia Daddy!” Reese calls from the kitchen. “Otherwise, I’ll know!”
Eli frowns. “What’s a ‘Mafia Daddy’?”
“Nothing you should worry about,” I answer quickly. “Or repeat. Like, ever.”
“Oh. Okay.” He shrugs. “Bye, Mommy! Bye, Aunt Kallie! Bye, Yulian!”
“What about me?” Maksim says, feigning hurt.
“Bye, Mad Maks!”
“That’s more like it.”
It feels surreal. Like a dream wrapped in silk and hope. It’s more than I ever thought I’d get—all of this, here, right now.
“Thank you,” I whisper to Yulian on the way to the car.
“What for?”
“Everything.”
