No matter. Inside I was smiling because I was where I was meant to be.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Alexei
* * *
Ten minutes later, we were outside her house. It still looked like it needed a ton of work, starting with the heap of trash sitting on her stoop.
“Shit,” Lauren murmured at the sight of her ex.
“I can tell him to leave.”
“No, I’ll take care of it.” Seeing him here had sobered her up, for sure.
She opened the door, but I was already on the other side. I extended my hand to help her down. She ignored it.
Thad had stood and was puffing up his chest. I had a feeling I would enjoy this.
“That didn’t take long,” he said.
As a strategy to get back into Lauren’s good graces, I would give it one out of ten. And the one point was because he had shown up in person to attempt a reunion.
Yes, I would enjoy this very much.
Lauren stood with her hand fisting her hip. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see if you’ve come to your senses. But from what I can see, you’ve figured out that the multi-millionaire is the better bet.”
“He gave me a ride home. Not that I need to explain this to you.”
“I guess not,” he said, uncertainty in his voice. “But this is kind of sudden, Lauren. I don’t just mean him, but what happened back at the restaurant. We need to talk about it.”
“Okay. What do you want to say?”
He looked at me. “Can we speak alone?”
“No, Thad. I’m tired and if you really want to talk, we can meet for coffee tomorrow, assuming you can get over the fact I might have some lingering effects of illness.”
“Is he staying over?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. Could you please leave? I’ll text you tomorrow.”
I couldn’t believe she was giving him another chance. She had rid herself of him and yet here he was, clinging to her skirts like a mewling child.
“Okay. Until tomorrow.” He walked by and placed a hand on her arm. “I’ll?—”
“Do not touch her.”
The streetlight illuminated the shock in his expression.
“Nazarov, cool it,” Lauren said.
“You need to respect Lauren’s wishes and leave.” Acutely aware that I was not a good practitioner of this philosophy, I took a step forward all the same. It was enough to spook him. With a sad-eyed look at Lauren, he got in his car and drove off.
Sighing, Lauren took a seat on the stoop. I sat beside her.
“He’s right, I should talk to him. I rushed out of the restaurant, not my most reasonable self.”
