I held my phone higher for Carina on a video call. She was helping me pick a gift.
“You could’ve settled for a watch,” she said.
“No, that’s what I bought for Marco’s birthday,” I teased, holding up a black wallet. “Too dark?”
Carina narrowed her eyes. “No, it’s classic. Not flashy. He’ll like it.”
“It suits him,” I said. “It’s hard to buy something for a man who already has everything, but I also have the bracelet, it should beenough.”
“The guy has you. That’s already the best gift.”
I laughed as I walked to the cashier to pay. Excitement was already bubbling in me at the thought of seeing Rodion. He had been away for a week, which felt too long.
“What if he doesn’t show up?”
Carina grinned. “You said he was the one who planned this date. Plus, I talked to Matvet, they left Miami hours ago.”
My teasing side kicked in. “Oh, I’m sure you know a lot. Please, tell me more.” The cashier handed me the shopping bag and my card, and I walked out.
“There’s not much to tell. He is still an asshole.”
“And he happened to just inform you they were leaving Miami?”
Carina groaned, realizing I had trapped her. “Fine. We talk. Not much, but we talk. And after all, it was just a one-night thing, with no strings attached.”
I reached my car and slid inside. When I saidmy car, I meant Rodion’s car. He casually bought it for me as a gift for getting a job. His version of casual was top tier. One moment I didn’t have a car and the next, I had a Porsche.
“You were drunk. I get it.”
“Whose fault is it?” Carina asked, and I scoffed.
It turned out that when I left for Italy, Carina, and Matvet were both stressed enough to go out and drink. And somehow, they ended up in the same club. They drank, argued, and by the end of the night, they were too drunk to resist taking their stress relief to the next level. “But Matvet is a sweetheart. So, I will take the blame.”
“Sweetheart my foot, but I will give him this,” She paused, and I stared at the screen, waiting for her to continue. “He is good in bed.”
I burst out laughing and shook my head. “You know what? I’vegot to go. It’s ten minutes to our date, and I’m guessing Rodion’s already there.”
Carina waved. “Have a good one. Tell me everything later.”
“Okay. Bye.”
I let her hang up and focused on reversing carefully. I was still getting used to maneuvering in tight parking spaces without scratching anyone’s car. Once I managed to pull out, I drove off, excited about this night.
In less than ten minutes, I pulled up outside the restaurant. My pulse quickened before I even killed the engine. The last time I had a date here with Rodion, I left in tears. But as I stepped out of the car, I reminded myself that this time was different.
The valet approached, and I handed him the keys. Drawing a slow breath, I straightened my dress and walked inside. The hostess took my coat and led me upstairs to the same section as last time.
When Rodion said he wanted to redo everything, he meant it.
As I stepped inside, the soft glow of candlelight washed over me. The air carried a faint scent of sandalwood and rose. The space was intimate, with only one table set for two. Rodion had already arrived. He wore a black fitting suit, the sharp lines accentuating his broad shoulders. He stood when he saw me, and for a heartbeat, the world went still. His dark hair caught the candlelight, and the faint stubble along his jaw made him look effortlessly handsome.
He carried a bouquet of red roses as he crossed the space toward me, eyes locked on mine. My breath caught somewhere between nerves and warmth.
“Hi,” he greeted, handing me the bouquet.
“Hi,” I echoed, glancing down at the flowers before meeting his eyes again. “You’re here.”
“I’m here.” He stepped closer. One hand slipped around my waist, the other brushed my cheek. “How’s my girl?”