“Hmmm.” His expression grew wicked. “Is she good looking?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Who?”
“Your designer?”
“My designer is a man.”
Rolan snorted. “I would rather it be a woman dressing me.”
“I would rather you get your shoes off my bed.”
“Speaking of beds. You only have a two bedroom. Maxwell said he is in the guest suite. I assume we are going to take it to the old days and sleep together. Which one of us will sleep at the head of your bed? And which one will sleep the other way?”
Ignoring him, I pulled out my phone to dial the designer.
Rolan continued, “And because you were such a bad boy, I ate your fairy bread.”
I let out a long breath and turned to him. But Rolan had gotten to me. A grin broke out on my face.
“What?” he asked.
“While your surprise visit is not welcomed—”
“Aww. You break my heart.” He winked at me.
“Still, I needed it.”
“Rough week?”
“More than you could ever imagine.”
“Well, batya is here to make everything okay.”
“Let us hope.” I dialed my designer. “Take a shower. We’ve got to hurry. I’m supposed to pick up Ava’s grandmother and bring her with us to the ballet.”
Rolan’s quirked those brows and sat up. “Interesting.”
I scowled at him. “No. I mean it. No.”
“What?”
“Do not, and hear me when I say this, do not try to fuck Ava’s grandmother.”
“How old is she?”
“Never mind all of that.”
“She is probably my age.”
“She is not. She is fifty-two.”
“Oh. A little young babochka.”
I pointed at him. “No. She is not a butterfly. She is Ava’s grandmother. I have caused enough trouble with Ava and her grandmother. I don’t need you creeping her out too. If anything, I need to present an air of normalcy around me.”
“There is nothing normal around you.”
With the suit, I groaned and left my bedroom.
My designer picked up the phone.
I gave him the instructions, hung up, and then walked out onto the balcony to check on Maxwell. “Are you coming to the performance tonight?”
Blowing smoke, Maxwell put out his joint. “Hell yeah. I haven’t seen Jacqueline in a—”
“No.”
With the other hand, he moved the ice pack from his eye. “No, what?”
“You are not fucking her either.”
“Of course not.” Maxwell grinned. “Wait. What do you mean either? I’ve got competition?”
Are they both insane?
I left the balcony and considered fleeing my condo altogether.
After a while, I gave up.
Perhaps, Maxwell and Rolan were just having fun. There was no need to take them seriously.
The worse of this week was over.
Everything would be fine.
Although I still had Kazimir’s babies to deal with, Naveen would be in Paris by this evening. I didn’t know when Pavel would show up, but I would deal with him too.
And my Ava. . .she was all mine.
Forever.