Page 68 of Beautiful Trauma
When her expression darkened, I reached for her hand. “Those sound like beautiful memories.”
With a nod, she said, “After she died, I managed to keep all of her books and journals. As I continued studying, it was a way to keep me connected to her memory.”
“It’s still not too late to become an astronomer,” I replied.
Mila snatched her hand back and shot me an exasperated look. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not.”
“You know as well as I do that I can never become an astronomer.”
“Maybe it can’t be your job, but you could still get a degree in it.”
Mila opened her mouth to argue with me, but then quickly shut it. “Maybe I could take some classes.
“Absolutely.”
“What about you?”
“What would I have done if I hadn’t been born into the Kavanaugh clan?”
“Yes.”
“Even though I’m good at finance, it’s not entirely what I would have wanted. I would have been satisfied maybe being an estate manager for horse farms.”
Mila’s brows popped wide in surprise. “You like horses?”
I nodded. “We had about ten of them growing up.”
“So did we.”
With a grin, I said, “Look at us having more in common than just the underworld.”
Pushing me playfully, Mila replied, “Whatever.”
“I have a small farm now.”
“Get out of here.”
I laughed. “I do.”
“Youhave a horse farm.”
“Why is that surprising when I just told you I grew up with horses?”
“You just impress me as more of a city guy.”
“Trust me. I’m not. The best thing I ever did was buy ten acres outside of the city and get horses.”
“I’d love to see it.”
“Then I’ll take you there,” I replied, with a smile.”
She tilted her head coyly at me. “Did you just ask me on a date, Mr. Kavanaugh?”
“Yes, Ms. Korolova, I did.”
In her eyes, I could see there was more she wanted to say. Like with our birthday party, I knew she was thinking we had an expiration date. Because of my family and hers we couldn’t possibly have a future. But I was going to do my damndest to make her see that we could.
