Chapter Nineteen
PRESENT DAY, LOCATION UNKNOWN
Dropping my gaze to my plate, I take a bite of my caviar sandwich and chew slowly, trying to focus on the rich, salty flavor of the salmon roe and the smooth, cool fattiness of butter spread over crisp French baguette. I try to focus on anything but the tense silence that stretches between us and the memories that intrude into it, memories that make my face burn and my heart race.
Like Risha’s premiere. Like what happened nine months ago.
Unable to help myself, I look up from my plate and meet Alexei’s gaze. He smiles darkly, and somehow, I know we’re on the same page… that his mind is traveling along the same pathway, reliving the same events.
“After Risha’s premiere,” I say, both to break the silence and because I genuinely want to know
