Me: Is Misha texting me?
Maxim: 2 mins
Huffing, I see “Misha” has messaged again.
Misha???????: Can you please confirm your location?
Me: Look, which part of NO aren’t you understanding here? I’m not endangering myself or anyone in my vicinity by telling some random bitch my whereabouts.
Me: Are you a stalker?
Me: IS your name Misha?
Me: Is this a ruse?
Me: Please provide photo ID before I continue this conversation
My phone buzzes.
Maxim: What are you doing to Misha? He looks constipated
Me: Ohh, it is him! Neat. Okay, see ya later
Maxim: Wait! You’re going somewhere else again?! Blyad, Victoria. How many errands did you have to run today, and why were you going to a pet store?
Me: You’ll see GTG
Maxim: Answer his question so we know not to go sniffing around the apartments
Me: I’m on Irishturf!
Maxim: Fun fact, the only time Brennan and I ever agree is on how many guards you have
Me: Well, I’m going to Brennan’s to see Camille.So you should be happy!
Maxim: Kotik, can we tell the guards our plans in the future?
Me: That the royal “we?”
Maxim: Yes, and by royal “we,” I mean you
Me: Fiiiiine
Maxim: You’ll be there all afternoon?
Me: Yup
I switch over to Misha’s conversation.
Me: Next time, don’t be a weirdo and show me credentials and maybe I’ll talk to you
When he doesn’t reply, I nod to myself. “Handing Russians their asses like a girl boss.”
Jumping out of the car, I drag the box Maxim sent me from the trunk then scoop up the pup and put her in my purse because she’s only little.
Then, I walk over to the bank of elevators, where I swipe the fob for it to register my request. Once it arrives, I step inside, juggle the box between both arms, then beam when the doors open and Camille’s waiting for me with my nephew, Roman, on her hip.
A greeting dies on her lips as she exclaims, “What’s this?”