Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Sat in between the two women, Harri snorted. “Do you even know how old he is?”
Alicia flicked a hand. “Let’s talk about something other than him.”
Sabrina looked as though she might protest, but then her eyes sharpened on Alicia. “We could finally talk about why you walked away from your life in New York.”
“Or we could chat about how your girlfriend looks so very much like a retired Russian porn star.”
Sabrina fired her an exasperated look. “I wish you’d stop saying that.”
“It’s true,” insisted Alicia. “Are you sure Tamara doesn’t have such an interesting background?”
“Yes, I am. Now, back to the subject of Aleksei, one date couldn’t hurt.” Sabrina looked at me. “Right, Addie?”
I shrugged. “I guess not. He is hot, if that helps,” I told Alicia.
Apparently, it didn’t help, because she shot both me and Sabrina a foul look. “How about you two focus on your own lives instead of mine?”
“We can do both,” I told her, stifling a smile.
Sabrina gave a sharp nod. “We’re awesome multitaskers, and we have your best interests at heart. Now stop being difficult and let us rule your life.”
Alicia rolled her eyes with a snort. “I’m thinking you two have way too much time on your hands.”
Sat on my other side, my mom leaned into me. “You doing okay?”
I smiled at her. “Of course.”
Vienna tilted her head, studying me closely. “You’ve been quieter than usual.”
Well, I’d been rehearsing in my head exactly how I’d break my news, anticipating the reactions of each person. Also … “It hit me that I’m halfway to sixty.”
She chuckled. “Did Ashley call you?” she asked, referring to a family friend who had moved to Oregon with her husband to be near their youngest son and his family. Their eldest had soon after moved to Vegas.
“She did,” I replied. “And she wished me a very happy birthday. It was an amusing call, since she had to repeatedly pause to tell one of her grandkids to stop yelling at the other. You’ll be a grandmother soon, too. Looking forward to it?”
Vienna beamed. “Can’t wait. You looking forward to being an aunt?”
“Of course.” Catching the worried glint in her eyes, I assured her, “I’m thrilled for them, really.”
“I didn’t think you wouldn’t be,” she firmly stated. “I just worry that it’s hard for you.”
“Well, it isn’t.”
Just then, Tamara planted herself on Vienna’s other side. “What are we talking about?” Though she’d lived in the US since she was a child, she spoke Russian at home throughout her childhood and so had a slight accent that I happened to adore.
“Your shoes,” I lied. “We want them.”
Tamara sniffed. “That is tough.”
“You have more shoes than I do, and that’s saying something.”
Vienna threw me a frown. “No one has more shoes than you do, Addie.”
Tamara gave a curt nod. “She is right. I have seen your closet. It looks like a small shoe store.”
I snickered. “How’s Aleksei?”
The beautiful brunette inched up her chin. “I don’t know. Don’t care.”
Vienna’s mouth curved. “You love your brother really.”
“Only sometimes,” said Tamara. “Today is not one of those times.”
“Burgers are ready!” Ollie announced.
I helped my mom plate up food for Simon, Melinda, and Wyatt before going to grab my own food.
Hanna tossed me a smile. “We made sure to put aside burgers and hot dogs for the birthday girl before they could be demolished.”
My lips curled. “Thank you, Hanna. I’d plant a kiss on your cheek, but you have mustard on it.”
A frown fell over her face, and she began rubbing at the blob of mustard … which only succeeded in spreading it along the side of her face. Rolling his eyes, Kyle used a napkin to wipe it off.
We all ate, drank, and gravitated from seat to seat as we joined conversation after conversation. Once everyone was finished their food, I grabbed a garbage bag and started collecting the trash.
Seeing that, Simon frowned at me. “This little gathering is for you. You should be sitting down and relaxing.”
“She can’t help herself,” Melinda told him with a fond smile. “She’s used to being the one cleaning up after gatherings—it’s part of her job.”
“Which is yet another reason why she shouldn’t be on clean-up duty now,” said Simon before sliding his gaze back to me. “Enjoy the break from it, sweetheart.”
Instead, I took his empty plate and trashed it. “I’m almost done.”
Wyatt sighed. “Sit down, woman.”
I shot up a brow. “I don’t see any of you looking to take over. Or am I wrong?”
The two men spluttered while Melinda averted her gaze.
“Yeah, figured you wouldn’t offer,” I said, barely stopping my lips from quirking.
The night soon began to darken, which was when people eventually began to trickle out. Simon, Melinda, and Wyatt left first—apparently, they’d all arrived in the same car. Hanna and Kyle left shortly after. It was when I heard Ollie talking about heading home with Marleigh that I decided it was time to make my little announcement.