Page 71 of Saving Forever
I can’t see her face, because it’s buried in my shoulder, but I feel her soft shudder, as if she’s letting go of something she held on to for far too long.
I feel it wash over me like a sharp breeze that moves quickly and then dissipates. Until there’s nothing but the two of us, holding on to each other like lifelines.
It’s the strangest feeling to have this connection with someone. To call her my wife. To claim her, body and soul. It’s even stranger because I don’t think she’s aware of our bond yet. Or, if she is, she’s unwilling to accept it. She told me she was mine but I know she only capitulated because, in the heat of the moment, she would have agreed to almost anything.
My goal now is to make her feel that way all the time.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Holly
I have a specific selection of clothes I wear when I visit my parents or go out with them. Expensive, classy, demure skirts, blouses, and dresses that fit the image my conservative father tries to portray. Tonight, I’m angry enough with him to not give a damn. I bypass all of those clothes and pull out a fun yellow sundress made of eyelet lace, with spaghetti straps and a full skirt. I have a short-sleeve white sweater that goes perfectly with it, and high-heeled white sandals.
I curl my hair so it bounces around my shoulders and keep my makeup light. Not because my father doesn’t like when I wear too much, but because Viktor keeps telling me how beautiful he thinks I am. Instead of pearls, I’m wearing costume jewelry that has yellow and coral stones to complement the dress.
When I come out of the closet, Viktor lets out a soft whistle.
“You take my breath,” he whispers, coming over to wrap an arm around me and kiss my cheek.
I smile.
“You take mine too,” I whisper back.
We pick up his parents and aunt, and I direct him to my parents’ estate just outside of Atlanta in an area known as Virginia Highlands. We glide through the gate and I glance back to see Viktor’s parents staring in a bit of awe. I hate that everyone is always impressed by my parents. The façade they portray is so different than who they really are, it frustrates me.
“Welcome.” My mother opens the door herself with a big smile. “I’m Veronica Grant. It’s so lovely to meet you all.”
I introduce everyone and I see the way my mother studies Viktor. I’m not sure if it’s that he’s so good looking or something else but she doesn’t even try to hide it.
My father, of course, waits until we’re all in the sunroom before making his entrance. And right behind him is someone I never wanted to see again—Nathan.
What the fuck.
My father always has a plan. A scheme. A carefully constructed strategy. It’s what makes him a great politician. And what makes him a terrible father. Probably a shitty human being but he’s still my dad, so I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Until now.
This is completely inappropriate.
“Good to see you, Viktor.” He extends his hand to Viktor first, and Viktor immediately takes it.
“Thank you for inviting us.” He speaks carefully. So much so I realize he’s been practicing ways to minimize his accent—as if he was afraid it would somehow reflect badly on me.
Then my father turns to my in-laws with a smile and introduces himself.
Mr. Maslak introduces his wife and sister-in-law, and everyone makes a big show of smiling and exchanging niceties.
Except Nathan.
He’s standing off to the side, arms folded, a smirk on his face every time he looks at me. I just ignore him, though, keeping my hand firmly wrapped around Viktor’s.
“Is that him?” My husband is not stupid. “Your ex?”
I nod stiffly.
He doesn’t seem intimidated, though, and merely slides his arm around my waist, holding me closer.
My mother brings out refreshments and the small talk continues. My mother and Mrs. Maslak start discussing food, which is a relatively safe topic, and the men start talking hockey. Eventually my father drags them to his den to show him his signed football collection, leaving me behind. And of course, Nathan doesn’t hesitate to sidle up behind me and tug a lock of my hair.
