Page 105 of You + Me – Against the World

“Alma, this is the first and last time you speak to me in that tone. It seems to me that you’ve been losing your way lately, that you’re making the wrong choices. Let me give you one last piece of advice: hang out a little more with Caleb and a little less with Arcadi. It could change your life.”

Stunned into silence, I stare at him, then return to my seat. That recommendation sounded exactly like a threat—something that has no place in a classroom.

Some mentor he is…

I don’t tell Vadim about the little whispered threat. It would drive him crazy. Nor do I tell my parents that evening at dinner.

They have something important to announce to us. I immediately think of them separating, of what will become of us if the family falls apart. Basile, out of hiding at last, doesn’t flinch. Lily waits for the announcement, her mouth hanging open.

It’s my mother who finally speaks up. To tell us that she and my father have made a big decision in order to bring the family closer together. They’re going to organize a dinner where each of us can invite the person of our choice, with no conditions attached. Mom adds that she would be happy to see Vadim again and would be delighted for Basile to introduce them to “someone.”

My father doesn’t open his mouth. He only nods wordlessly, probably to appease his wife.

And who knows, maybe to save his marriage?

My sister bounces up and down with excitement at the idea. Feeling a little skeptical, I let out a half-hearted “okay.” My brother responds that he doesn’t have anybody special to bring along. And that’s how this fabulous “let’s-be-open-minded” dinner scheduled for the next day turns into a torture session… just for Vadim.

I try to invite Clémentine too, to create a distraction, but my best friend tells me that she already has plans with someone else.

I have to use all my charms and my best sad little pouts to convince Vadim not to refuse the Lancasters’ invitation. I’m not thrilled about this dinner either, but I don’t want to disappoint my mother, whose intentions are good. And I don’t want to miss the chance to show my father everything that’s good about this relationship. I don’t really need his blessing, but it would make our lives easier.

[Imagine, we wouldn’t have

to hide anymore… <3]

[Your father is never gonna change his mind

about me, Lancaster.]

[It’s worth a try, right?]

[What will you give me

in exchange?]

[A koala kiss.]

[What’s that? Did you

just invent it?]

[You’ll see tonight. If you come…]

***

When Georgia opens the door for Vadim a few hours later, I immediately recognize the white shirt we bought together in Paris. I smile when I see how he’s made the effort to wear it, but not to tuck it into his pants. He seems relaxed and kisses me on the cheek before we head to the living room together. He tugs Lily’s ponytail by way of greeting, smiles at my mother, and waves to the others.

My father wastes no time in launching into hostilities. “So, I hear you acted as a bodyguard for my wife and daughters when they returned to France?”

“I think the women of this family are quite capable of defending themselves on their own, Mr. Lancaster. Why, were you considering hiring me?” Vadim looks him in the eye without flinching.

“No, I prefer it when the work takes place on the books,” my father retorts with a pointed look.

The tone is set.

For the rest of the dinner, Vadim is courteous, pleasant, and sometimes funny—except when Edward Lancaster puts on a show by nitpicking or deliberately testing him. When that happens, my guy stands up to him without ever losing his cool. Or his nerve. He manages to talk about his new job, without going into details, and how it might help him break into the film industry. My father reclassifies it as a “side job.”

By the end of the evening, Vadim has completely won over my mother and my little sister. Basile, relieved that no one is talking about him, gradually warms up and relaxes, even going so far as to joke with us. When the three of us find ourselves alone in the kitchen while clearing the table, my brother whispers that he had nothing to do with the photos.