“Tell me about it,” Gina says. “I think it’s a Russian thing.”
“I think it’s a male thing,” I say, making them both laugh.
“Well, he finally came around, and we’ve been together ever since. He also got us in to see a fight, and that’s when Dima laid eyes on Gina. Sparks flew, panties were soaked, and then her dad busted in, trying to arrest him.”
They both laugh at the memory. I take a big drink, my eyes watering a bit at the familiar burn.
“Okay, now this I’ve got to hear.”
I listen as she tells me all about meeting Dmitri and how stubborn he was and how she eventually broke into his apartment one night after he’d been a bigger ass than usual.
“You broke into his apartment and got stuck under his bed?” I look at the small woman in front of me and find I have a new respect for her. That must’ve taken a ton of guts.
“Yes, but he used to live above the Red Wolf. There’s an apartment up there, that’s actually where they’re on babysitting duty right now, and the fire escape on the side of the building leads right up to it. He was practically inviting me in. It’s a good thing I snuck in, too, because I was able to be his alibi. My dad was convinced that he’d murdered--”
She stops abruptly as her cheeks heat up. “Damn, I’m so sorry, Moira. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Ah, let me guess. He was convinced that Dmitri had murdered Jimmy? But of course he hadn’t because that was my grandad and Liam.”
“I’m so sorry,” she says again.
“Gina, it’s okay. I know the kind of man my grandad is. He passed all those wonderful traits onto my dad, who then raised me. I’m glad you were able to prove it wasn’t Dmitri. I’d hate for someone else to have to take the blame for that.”
“I’m sorry your dad was such a dick.”
I can’t help but smile at how sad she sounds when she says it. It’s incredibly kind and sweet, and I’m touched by it.
“Thank you, but it’s all forgiven and forgotten. That’s what you’re supposed to do when someone dies, right?”
“What about your mom?” Jamie asks.
“She died when I was very young, so it’s just me now.”
They both reach out and grab my hands, almost like it was a choreographed move, but the truth is they’re both just very sweet people who act on instinct and don’t shy away from showing affection.
“Not anymore,” Gina says, giving my hand a squeeze.
“Definitely,” Jamie adds.
“Thanks,” I say, touched by how kind they’re being. “Okay, no more sad talk. This is your night off, remember?” I raise my glass to Gina before taking another big swallow.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all week. I even pumped extra so Sergei is good to go. He’s got extra bottles and three babysitters. Surely that means I can have a few hours to just relax.”
My ears perk up at what she just said. “Three?”
Gina and Jamie try to hide their smiles, but they both end up grinning at me.
Jamie takes a drink of whatever fruity mixed drink she’d ordered and says, “Yeah, Nikolai is helping Aleksei and Dima.”
“So, um,” Gina starts, making me laugh.
Jamie bumps shoulders with her again. “You are so subtle, Gina.”
Gina giggles which just makes me laugh. It’s obvious the drink is hitting her hard and fast. It’s probably been months since she’s had one.
“I’m just saying that it’s obvious there’s some tension going on.” She points her straw at me. “You’ve gotten under Nikolai’s skin, which is not an easy thing to do. The whole time I’ve known him, he’s never acted like this about anyone. The man is impenetrable, but you’ve penetrated."
Jamie and I both bust out laughing.