Page 34 of Love, Always and Forever
Mikhail shot her a look that said there would be retribution for that crack, but she didn’t care. As much as she appreciated him coming to her rescue, the last thing she wanted was for her mother to get the idea that she’d spent the night curled up in her handsome neighbor’s arms.
“So, what’s up? It’s kind of early for you to be calling.”
As she listened, she shook her head even though her mother couldn’t see that she was doing it. No way she was going to do what her mom was asking.
“Sorry, Mom, but no. You can just call them back and cancel. I’m not available that day.”
There went another lie, but she’d make darn sure she had other plans.
“I know it’s been almost a year, but I’ll make my own appointments.”
When it came to most things, Amy’s move to her own home had forced her family to start accepting that she was an adult and capable of taking care of herself. There was one area of her life, though, that they just couldn’t let go of no matter how much she needed them to. If she didn’t carve one of those lines in the ground that she and Mikhail always talked about, she’d never get them to back off.
“I’m sorry if you’ll be embarrassed about calling them back, but you shouldn’t have made the appointment without asking me first.” She paused to draw a breath. “Or actually at all, Mom. You should’ve told them that I no longer live with you and that they should contact me directly.”
When her mother sputtered and protested, Amy held firm. “Look, maybe you meant well, Mom, but you don’t control my life anymore. If you’re in an awkward position, that’s not my fault. Regardless, I won’t be going to that appointment nor will I call to cancel it for you.”
Because it would be all too easy to cave in and go just to make everyone happy. Everyone but her, anyway. “Now, I’ve got to get dressed and take Panda for a walk before I start work. Tell everyone hi for me.”
Then she hung up. When the phone rang again within seconds, she ignored it and walked away. In the bathroom, she immediately cranked the shower up to full so she wouldn’t have to hear the phone if it started up again. Holding her face up to the hot spray, she did her best to pretend that there weren’t any tears mixed in with the water circling down the drain.
This morning had been unique in her life, especially considering she’d never spent the night in a man’s arms before. There were good reasons for that, but things were different now. Her inexperience had made things a little awkward, but the two of them would’ve gotten past that. Even now, she could remember the warmth of Mikhail’s big hands on her shoulders when he’d promised her nothing would happen that she wasn’t ready for.
That could be a problem, because there was a lot she wanted to happen. How could she give in to temptation when she had secrets she hadn’t found the courage to share with him? Secrets that could change everything. And even if she’d forgotten that for a few seconds, her mother’s intrusive call had served as a stark reminder.
Her conscience was pretty sure that she had overreacted to what her mother had done, but she wasn’t going to apologize. Not this time. Good intentions didn’t count for much when the end result was spoiling what could’ve been a special moment for her and Mikhail. Even if it was one she suspected she wasn’t ready for.
That didn’t mean she’d given up on more adventures. More firsts they could share. She shut off the water and reached for her towel. Stepping out of the shower, she looked down at her new constant companion.
“So, Panda, do you think I should ask Mikhail when he’d like to help me pick out a motorcycle? I only have one more training class to go before I’m cleared to ride on the streets.”
The puppy was too busy licking the water off her feet to offer up any opinions on the subject. “Hey, you little rascal, that tickles.”
When she jerked her foot back out of reach, Panda pounced, liking the new game. For the next few minutes, she made them both happy playing naked tag in the bathroom and out into her bedroom. By the time she was dressed, her mood was much improved.
Before she lost her nerve, she dialed Mikhail’s number. When it went to voicemail, she considered simply hanging up. That way she could chicken out with her dignity more or less intact. Deciding that was the coward’s way out, she left a message and crossed her fingers he’d get back to her soon. “Hey, there. Will you have some time later this week to go shopping with me? I need your help picking out something sleek and black and with a lot of chrome.”
Her phone pinged with a new text message a few minutes later. His answer was short and to the point.You bet. I’m off Friday. We can go then.
—
Amy’s escort had shown far more patience with her waffling than she would have if their positions had been reversed. Mikhail had trailed after her from bike to bike, only speaking when she asked him a question. Regardless, she wasn’t surprised when he finally spoke up. “You’re still sure you want to do this?”
No, she wasn’t, but that only made it that much more important that she carry through with her plan. “Yes, I’m sure. Now, what do you think of this one?”
Mikhail did her the courtesy of giving her his honest opinion of the motorcycle in front of them. The salesman hovered a short distance away, ready to answer any questions she sent his way, but he obviously knew whose opinion really counted here.
“I wouldn’t want to go on a weeklong vacation on it.”
In other words, it wasn’t the one he would choose for her. She really appreciated that he’d let her make up her own mind, but at the same time he wasn’t going to let her pick a bike she’d end up hating.
She wandered through the dealership, rejecting some bikes for various reasons: price, size, looks. When she found herself circling back to the same bike for the third time, she stopped.
“This one.”
Mikhail had been hanging back a little, but now he moved up to stand beside her. “It’s a beauty. Perfect, in fact.”
“Is that because it looks like a smaller version of yours or because it’s the right one for me?”
