to this moment and truly deserve to be happy. I guess somebody has to believe in stuff like that. The victims might as well be a couple of people like my two friends.
* * *
Over the next week, my living room becomes a dancer’s haven. I walk in from a particularly trying day at work. Carla’s parents gave her an ultimatum. She either gets rid of her lesbian lover, or she leaves the family no choice but to disown her. She cried off and on all day long, using me as the rock just like so many others seem to be doing these days. I love Carla. She’s a secret design weapon for me. But I’m hoping tomorrow brings a happier co-worker into the office. If not, then we might both wind up jumping from the top of the Duomo and getting life over with.
Light classical music, the kind I used to dance to when I studied ballet, fills the air as soon as I walk through the front door. Adriana jumps and spins to a tune that makes me think of Alek’s creepy, but intriguing music choices. I stand there until the final note fades in the air. She leans over on her knees, catching her breath. Glancing up, she jumps and almost tumbles over a chair after she notices me.
“Never mind me. I’m pretty much a ghost,” I say, flopping down on the couch farthest away from her. “What a crappy, crazy day.” I close my eyes and try to imagine what an ordinary life inside of an office might feel like. But then, I shake it off just as quickly. I don’t think my body contains a single normal bone anywhere in there.
A creepy sensation washes over me as I wait for the tension to ease out of my body. I open my eyes and glance across the room. Adriana sits on the couch opposite from me. She’s staring as though she wants to figure out something about me.
“What?” I ask.
“You know my brother’s hot for you, right?”
I do know, especially after the little scene that happened in the park. But I don’t want to talk about it with his sister. I gotta admit, it feels good to hear somebody confirm my hunch. “Don’t be silly, Adriana.”
“No, really, I’ve never seen him act this way about a woman before. Sending Hagar out to do his sneaky work, and even standing up to Mother about who he chooses to date. It’s amazing in a way.”
“Well, don’t get excited. This really isn’t going anywhere.”
“Not yet,” she mutters under her breath. She flops back in the loveseat and exhales. “Mother wants both of us to date wealthy people. Especially loaded Russians.”
“What about wealthy Americans? Is she cool with them?” I ask.
“Our American ancestry doesn’t matter so much to her.”
“Why is that? What difference does it make? Besides, Katerina was born in Texas.” I think she’s a hypocrite, but I’m not about to say that to Adriana.
“I don’t really understand Mother’s ways either. I do know that she’d freak out if she knew I was dating somebody who doesn’t fit her grand plan.” Her eyes widen after she says this, and she clamps a hand over her mouth.
I suck my teeth. “Take your hand down. It’s just me. You know I’m not going to judge you."
“I should be able to date whoever I like, right?”
“Sure thing.” A grin spreads across my face. It feels good to have somebody else up under the radar. “And who is this person, do tell?”
She glances at the bare spot on her arm where a watch would normally be situated. “Wow. It’s time for me to get ready to head out and meet my friends.”
“Oh, I get it. You can 50-question me, but I don’t get the same opportunity?” I lightly scold.
“No worries, Jaybird. I’ll tell you, eventually. While you’re waiting, you can keep on doing the kissy thing with my brother.” She pokes her lips out like a fish as she teases me about the nickname Alek gave me a couple weeks ago. I toss a pillow at her. We both calm down, and now a serious look crosses her face.
Holy Hell. Adriana is the type who never goes serious on you unless it’s truly something grim. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t hurt him, okay? He’s come a long way since we left Moscow. Lots of bad things crossed his path. He sacrificed a lot to get Mother and me and even Nikolai out of Russia.” Now we’re