“Hi, Inessa. You too. Oh, my goodness. Your baby is adorable.”
“I’ll be fine with it if you and Max want to take him for a month or so,” Inessa sighed.
“Nice try, Sis. Angel has her hands full with me.”
“Yeah, one baby at a time, please,” Angel laughed.
“What did you cook? It smells amazing.” Angel said and took Jeremy from me.
“Wow. He doesn’t usually like strangers,” Charlie remarked.
“That’s okay. I’m not that strange,” Angel said and kissed Jeremy on his cherub-like cheek.
“I made a few of Max’s favorites,” Inessa said. “Have you had much Russian cuisine?”
“No, I can’t say I have.”
“I assume that Max hasn’t cooked for you yet.”
“No, he hasn’t. I didn’t even know he could,” Angel said and looked at me expectantly.
“What are you? Crazy?” I chirped. “I can’t afford to set the precedent. How am I going to take advantage of the little woman in the kitchen if she knows I can cook?”
“Little woman in the kitchen?” Angel said. “In your dreams.”
“Don’t worry, sexpot. I’d much rather have you in the bedroom anyway,” I whispered in Angel’s ear.
“Break it up, you two. Let’s eat. I’m starving,” Inessa laughed. “Charlie, will you put Jeremy down for his nap, please? I’ll get the food ready.”
“Of course, my love. Come on big boy. Nap time.”
“Thanks, Babe. Max, Angel, make yourselves comfy.”
“Your sister is stunning, Max,” Angel said once we were alone.
“She’s a hell of a cook too. Wait until you taste her food. You’re going to want to move in here.”
“And leave my man child? Never.”
“You’re so cute,” I said and kissed my beauty.
The rest of the evening was a triumph. The food was great, and the company couldn’t have been better.
“She’s a keeper, Max,” Inessa whispered to me when we were saying our goodbyes.
Angel and I got home around 11 pm. We were bushed, so we called it a day.
* * *
I was awoken by an early call.
It was my nemesis, Grigoriy.
I crept out of bed so as not to wake Angel and went to the living room.
“Grigoriy. How are you?”
“You must come to Moscow, Max. It’s time.”