Can you come over, or do you need me to go there?
I smile and feel myself getting all emotional again. I’ve really only just met her. There’s no reason for her to be this kind to me, and it’s hard for me to accept, but I’m also so desperate for some kindness right now and can’t bring myself to turn it away. Before I answer, I take a quick peek out the office door and nearly have a heart attack when I see Nikolai standing right outside the front door. I quickly shut the door before he can see me, but not before I run my eyes over him one last time. He looks exhausted and worried and still so damn gorgeous.
Nikolai is kind of on watch duty outside my club. I’m a bit stuck.
Don’t worry. I’m on my way!
I smile at her text and her can-do attitude. I have no doubt she’ll figure out a way to get me out of here. She may be small, but she knows how to get these men to listen to her. I hurry up and get dressed while I wait for her, and it’s not long before I hear raised voices outside. Straining to hear, I press my ear to the door and try to quiet my breathing.
“I need to talk to her,” Nikolai says, and his sexy, deep voice is a perfect mix of sad, exhausted, and frustrated.
“I know, but now isn’t the time,” Gina says, and I smile at her soothing, motherly voice. “Just let me talk to her. You need to go home anyway and get some rest. You look terrible. Take a shower, get something to eat, and then we can figure something out.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“Yes, that’s obvious, but you need to,” Gina says, switching to her no-nonsense voice. “Dima’s going to meet you at your house.”
There’s a moment of silence, and I swear Nikolai is going to refuse to budge, but he finally says in a defeated voice that tugs at my heart. “Fine. I’ll go. Just tell her I love her and that I’m sorry. Tell her to please call me.”
“I will,” Gina says. “It’ll be okay, Nikolai.”
“I hope so,” he says, and a few minutes later I hear the purr of his engine.
Once he’s gone, Gina bangs on the door and yells, “He’s gone. You can come out now.”
I open the door, still wondering if calling her was the right decision. Maybe I should’ve just handled this on my own. He would’ve eventually had to leave, and I could’ve made my escape then. It’s too late now, so I walk to the front door and let Gina in. There’s a horrible awkward moment where I stand frozen in place, but all she does is smile and wrap me in a hug. I’m crying like a baby without having made the conscious decision to do so. I can’t help it, and Gina doesn’t try to rush me. She just rubs circles on my back and lets me soak through the shoulder of her sweater.
When I’ve finally cried myself out, I step back and wipe my cheeks dry. “I’m so sorry,” I say, noticing how raw and shaky my voice sounds.
“For what? Being in love?” She smiles and says, “We’ve all been there, Moira. I don’t trust any relationship that’s never been tested. This is your test.”
I laugh and walk back to my room to grab a tissue. While I’m cleaning myself up a bit, Gina eyes my setup and shoots me anAre you kidding me?look.
“Yeah, I know it’s not ideal, but it’s just for a little bit,” I say in my own defense.
“No, this is nuts, and you’re not staying here.”
Before I can argue, she’s sending a text, and when she gets a reply, she smiles and looks up at me. “Okay, it’s settled. You’re staying at the apartment above the club.”
“What? No, I can’t stay there.” Just the idea of staying right above where Nikolai spends most of his time has me taking a step back, like I can actually put physical distance between me and Gina’s crazy idea.
“Yes, you can. It’s just sitting empty, and it’s perfect. You don’t have to see Nikolai if you don’t want to, but you do need an actual bed and a kitchen. You can find another place later if you want, but right now you’re coming with me. I won’t be able to sleep knowing you’re all alone on an airbed in an office.”
When I still hesitate, she adds, “I swear, it’s either the apartment above the club or I’m dragging you back to our place, but I’m warning you, Seryozha still wakes up super crazy early.”
The idea of staying with her and Dmitri makes me feel even more awkward, so I say, “The apartment sounds good, thanks.”
She smiles as if I’ve just made her damn day. “You’re going to love it. It has everything you’ll need, and if you need a quick escape, I happen to know for a fact that the fire escape works very well.”
I can’t help but laugh, remembering the story she’d told me as I start to pack. It doesn’t take me long. I leave the small appliances, but pack up my remaining food and even grab my plaid blanket just so I can have something of mine to help me feel grounded. When we’re ready, I lock up the club and follow her in my Jeep. Even though she swore that Dmitri was keeping Nikolai at his house, I still scan the club’s parking lot, terrified I’ll see Nikolai’s car. When I don’t see him anywhere, I’m relieved but also incredibly sad. My emotions are taking me all over the place, and I’m suddenly exhausted.
Gina helps me carry up my few belongings, and once we’re inside the apartment, she hands me the keys and gives me a small tour. She looks at the place with such fondness, and I know it brings back a lot of memories for her. This is where Dmitri lived when they met and where they lived for several months before they were married and he bought her the house they live in now.
Looking around, I have to admit that the place is perfect. All the furniture is still here, and the kitchen may be small, but it has everything I need and far better than anything I’ve ever owned. I notice the playpen in the corner and laugh.
“Yeah, I guess you won’t be needing that. I can take it if it’s in the way.”
“No,” I say, “don’t be silly. This is still your apartment, and I’m not about to remove your son’s things. Thanks so much for letting me stay here. I promise I won’t be here long, and I’m more than happy to pay rent.”