“What is it?”
“I’ve been invited to join the Syndicate and Aiden has asked me to be his Obshchak. I have accepted both offer so I’m going to be moving to L.A.”
I hold his gaze and my stomach clenches, all that I feel scrambles into a lump that forms in my throat.
He’s going to L.A and he’ll be working with Aiden in such a massive capacity. He’s replacing Ilya.
He’s leaving, and going to work for the man I’m supposed to forget.
“Oh,” I breathe than I quickly school myself and force a smile. It’s not insincere but it’s not real either. “that’s really good.”
“I’m not going yet. I’m not going for another couple of months. I thought it would be nice to spend some time together as a family first. so maybe another four to six months and then I’ll head out. Either way I’m going to be in San Francisco at least once or twice a week. It’s not exactly that far away.”
“No, and that’s good. Thanks for sticking around.”
“Of course. Is it okay that I’m working with Aiden?” he asks tentatively.
“Yes. It’s great that he offered you such an amazing role. Honorable.”
“It is, but that’s not what I’m asking. A man doesn’t run into a burning building to save a woman if he doesn’t care for her. I don’t think she would look the way she did either every time his name is mentioned. It’s me Olivia, you can talk to me. I know you had feelings for him. Or maybe I should say have.”
I stare at him for a beat wondering what I’m supposed to say. I can’t deny it because he’ll know and I can’t deny it because I don’t want to.
“It was just one of those things that probably shouldn’t have happened.”
“I wouldn’t put it that way. What happened?”
“He said it’s too dangerous, too dangerous for me to be with him.”
He doesn’t answer. Instead he stares back at me in contemplation like he’s trying to find the right words to tell me to make me feel better. except there’s nothing he can say because Aiden was right.
“Time,” he rasps and I’m not sure what he means.
“Time?”
“Time will chose the answer for you. Some things are just out of our control and you just have to leave them alone to take the form they’re supposed to take. When they do, you have to accept it whether you want to or not.”
I nod understanding perfectly.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. I guess I should go in and do something. maybe I can set the table.” He smiles and just like that the mood shifts like we weren’t having a serious conversation.
He stands and plants a kiss on top of my head.
“What was that for?”
“Everything.”
He goes back inside and I stare after him wondering what shape time will change things into and what state I’ll be in whenever that period is complete.
Especially when I know I’ll never feel the way I do about Aiden with anybody else.