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I glanced across the table at Xavier, who was openly studying Avery. He couldn't tear his eyes from her. My head tilted to the side as I took in his appearance. Xavier rocked that pastel preppy style well, not giving a shit if he was wearing "girl colors," as Avery's twin brothers had put it many times to taunt him. His disheveled hair complemented his lax shirt and loose tie. Funny that he loved preppy clothes when he was anything but a prep boy. He was in trouble with the law often, defensive, abrasive. There was an underlying aura of danger that followed him. He was a walking hazard. All it took was the wrong look and he'd detonate. He'd be better suited in all black, not a soft salmon color. Yet, sitting across from me, Xavier looked at Avery like he was a man drowning in love over someone he'd never have.
"How did you guys leave off?" I asked carefully, looking back at her.
"He said he wanted to see me again tonight, but I told him that's a negative because I get to hang out with my bestie," she said with a beaming smile, her shoulders shifting from side to side. I had so much love for her.
"Have you guys seen each other every night since you got here?"
She peered down then chanced a guilty side-eye glance at me. "Maybe," she drew out shyly. I laughed. "We have, but only because in order for me to go anywhere, your dad makes Xavier come with me. It's so annoying. Last night was the first night I was alone with him, though, like in his room alone. My heart was racing the entire time. I couldn't believe he asked me to come over, let alone set up that fake fire."
I giggled, not surprised Dad had done that. "We're in a foreign country, what did you expect? You know my dad sees you as a daughter too."
She gave me a droll stare. "I felt like I had a bodyguard. He was on top of everything I did. I couldn't breathe without him questioning me."
I grinned. "You have no chance in the Olympic village with Xavier around."
"Fucking right, man."
This time I chuckled. I didn't think I'd ever understand those two. They either had something toxic together or something profound. There was no middle ground with them. Like I'd told Xavier that day in his pool house, they were similar to Kova and me.
Hesitantly, I asked, "Do you want to see him tonight?"
Avery lifted her gaze to mine, but I stopped her just seconds after our eyes locked. Her face was blank but her eyes gave her away.
My lips twitched. "I have an idea…"
Thirty-Eight
I approached Kova, who was finally alone for the first time tonight. Throwing a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure Avery was still covering for me, I stopped in front of him. He looked up in surprise and quickly surveyed the room before turning his attention to me.
"Hey," I said, feeling my cheeks rush with blood.
Kova's eyes moved down the length of my body in a sensual sweep. I wore a crimson designer dress with gold glitter scattered throughout the slinky material and matching high heels that made me feel like a goddess. The dress and shoes were one of Avery’s many outfits she’d packed for the trip. She had insisted I wear them tonight.
Kova's jaw flexed and his nostrils flared as he exhaled. I was pleased with the way he looked at me.
"You look beautiful," he said, but the compliment didn't reach his eyes.
"Thank you," I said, then I got right to the point since we didn't have much time. "So… You kept referring to tonight. Did you want to meet?"
"Ah, yes," he said, his jaw stiff as he swirled the ice in his glass. "I know you will not be returning to Cape Coral for a bit." He stared down at the ice avoiding my gaze. Kova kept his elbows locked to his sides and his stance unwelcoming. I wondered if he was worried about my dad seeing us. I almost regretted coming over here now. "We have a few things that were left unsaid that I feel need to be discussed. However, if you cannot get away for, say, thirty minutes, it is no problem."
I shook my head even though he wasn't looking at me. Why wouldn’t he look at me? His standoffish attitude left me with this unbearable feeling I didn't want to acknowledge. I didn't like the sudden twisting of dread in my chest.
"Avery will cover for me. What's your room number?"
That got his attention. Kova glanced up to tell me what room he was staying in, but he was so disengaged with our conversation that I had to say something.
"What's wrong?"
He looked straight into my eyes. "Nothing at all. Just catching up with a few old friends."
I nodded slowly, not believing him. I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling under my skin.
The back of my neck prickled with heat. Kova didn't say anything more. I offered him a shaky smile, but he didn't return it. There was an awkwardness hanging in the air between us. All I could do was turn on my heels and walk away.
I kept my head down as I walked toward Kova's hotel room. I couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in my stomach the closer I got to his door. My nerves were shot after the tense moment I'd had with him before I left the dinner. Kova hadn't looked my way for the rest of the night, and I had the strangest notion that he didn't want to see me.
Maybe it was all in my head and the paranoia was getting to me. We both were risking a lot to see each other. Longing filled me. I looked forward to the day when I didn't have to hide how I felt about him.
