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I stop her rambling before it goes any further. “Kay,” I say firmly. “Tone down the enthusiasm.”
She turns around, shooting me a dirty look before looking back at Katerina who still seems a little uncomfortable despite the soft smile gracing her lips.
“I am so sorry about what my family has put you through,” Mikayla states.
My eyebrows furrow and Katerina’s mouth falls open slightly.
“I’m pretty sure that’s my line,” she mutters.
Mikayla shakes her head. “My father played a part in the circumstances we’ve found ourselves in today. And I know in my heart that you would have never stayed away from your son for so long if you didn’t have a choice.”
Katerina’s eyes widen even further at the simple understanding. I suddenly feel like a horrible person. The situation isn’t exactly black and white but watching my sister come to that understanding goes a long way in trying to sort out my feelings. Because she’s right. My family also had a hand in what happened. We contributed.
“Thank you, Mikayla,” she says unsurely.
My sister claps her hands together before turning to face me. “Now, I’m getting really tired of asking where that nephew of mine is,” she states.
“He’s upstairs,” Katerina informs her. “We were hanging out but he asked for some apple juice so I came down here to get him some.”
“I’ll go and give it to him. He’ll be so happy to see me. And Katerina I really hope we get to talk more sometime. I have a feeling we can be friends.”
She heads for the fridge and grabs a small juice box. Facing me on the way out, she mouths, “You owe me an explanation.”
My lips twitch.
“That might be the nicest interaction I’ve ever had with any of your family members,” Katerina says as we watch Mikayla leave.
“Yeah, Kay has a pure heart. She’d never blame you for your actions.”
She’s also extremely trusting to a fault. It’s one of her best and worst qualities.
“And do you? Blame me?” Katerina asks quietly.
I look at her, feeling a muscle tick in my jaw. “You’re not exactly blameless, princess.”
She nods. “Still angry then.”
“I’m not angry,” I state, causing her to arch a disbelieving brow. “I’m not angry, just confused because I don’t know what to feel. What do you expect me to feel?” I ask in frustration.
“I can’t tell you what to feel, Xander,” she answers, shaking her head. “Your every emotion is valid. And I know I’ve caused you a lot of pain and grief. I’m just glad, that you finally have answers. That I was able to explain. I know it’s selfish of me, but at least that weight’s being lifted off my chest. It’s one less secret I’m keeping from you.”
“How many more secrets are there? How many more layers can you possibly have?”
I watch the rise and fall of her chest through the material of the shirt she’s wearing. To top of it all off, I can’t seem to take my eyes off the expanse of the skin of her legs showing owing to the shorts she’s wearing. Everything she does affects me. It’s maddening.
Katerina walks further into the kitchen, stopping just a few feet away from me.
“Do you remember our first date?” she asks suddenly.
“Of course I remember,” I reply.
I could never forget that.
“I told you that first date that knowing me wouldn’t be easy. My life revolves around challenges, and sometimes it hurts. I made it clear to you from that start that it would be easier if you just gave up. Because I’m not a conquest and I’m not just any other woman that would be falling at your feet. I’m so much more than you could begin to imagine. I had a lot of wants and aspirations. And none of that included falling in love. Not with you or anyone else. That was supposed to be our first and last date. I laid it all out for you, clearly,” she states.
“Yeah I thought about what you said throughout the date. And you remember what I did when I dropped you off back at your dorm?” I question, moving closer.
Her breath hitches when I stand in front of her, only inches between us. Her scent surrounds me, intoxicating, maddening.
