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I could roll my eyes at what he orders for me. I would’ve loved a Dirty Martini, but I’ll take whatever liquid confidence I can get.
“Mikhail?” a feminine voice calls out.
“Emily, it’s so good to see you.” Mikhail turns as the woman approaches us.
She kisses his cheek, and that pisses me off.
Emily.Slim figure, wearing a dress that looks absolutely amazing on her. She seemsnice.
“I don’t think you’ve met my wife before—Sloane.” He grabs my hand, and I step down from the stool.
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you—Emily, is it?” I reach out my hand, but she doesn’t shake it.
“Wife? Mr. Stepanov, you lead a very private life. I had no idea you were married.”
I was wrong. She’s not nice. She’s completely ignoring me.
“A beauty such as hers doesn’t deserve to be hidden, Mikhail.”
Jesus Christ, I am so bad at reading people. I’m in such a foul mood right now I can only focus on the negatives. That’s not who I am. That’s Mikhail getting to my head.
“Sloane.” She leans in toward me and hugs me quickly “I’m Emily. It’s nice to meet you as well. Are you two bidding tonight?”
Mikhail smiles. “Yes. I intend to walk as the highest bidder.”
“Good for you. I know you’d do great things for my husband’s company.”
Holy fuck. Okay, new plan. Act as if I’m not mad at him, or else my attitude will ruin all chances of him getting the investors to work with him.I roll my shoulders back in a weak attempt to relax. “Mikhail has great plans.” I smile and grab onto his arm.
“I’m sure he does. We’ve kept up with the news on his renovations for West 90, and I have to admit, they’re genius.”
“Thank you, Emily. Your words don’t go unnoticed.”
“Of course. Do talk with Eric later. He won’t shut up about how fine your ideas are, but don’t let him talk your ear off!” She laughs as she leans in to kiss Mikhail on the cheek again.
She’s so proper. I haven’t had such a formal conversation in so long, possibly ever. She struts away, and Mikhail turns toward me, grabbing his drink off the counter. I discard mine because I don’t want to be even the slightest bit drunk. If I’m talking to people like this, I need every brain cell I have.
“You did good. Just keep that up for the rest of the night.” He brings the glass to his lips and takes a sip while the sides of his fingers brush against my cheek softly. “And don’t lose this smile.” He lifts my chin up with his thumb and brings his mouth to mine. A kiss that reminds me too much of how I felt before everything went to shit. “I’m going to greet a couple of people—would you like to come?”
I shake my head. “Maybe in a bit. I’m going to explore for a little while.”
“Okay.” He smiles and walks off.
I sigh as I walk in the opposite direction. Toward the back of the room, windows cover the entire wall. I exchange a couple of smiles as I make my way through the doors that lead to a large balcony. Dark ivy leaves wrap around the oak wood pergola covering the platform. Sleek electric fireplaces in the middle are surrounded by chairs that like look like clouds. I walk up to the edge of the balcony and look down. I’m so high up I can barely make out the cars on the roads below.How do they even make buildings this tall?
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” a soft, tender voice asks, leaning against the railing like me.
The woman’s hair is dark and silky. Her pregnant belly curves out of her figure-fitting dress.
“It’s kind of terrifying.” I laugh.
“Right? It’s so far down. Sometimes I wonder how they even build things like this.”
“I was just thinking the same thing!”
“I’m Nina.” She extends her arm to offer me her hand.
I grab onto it and shake it gently. “Sloane.”
