Page 31 of Saving Forever
I see the flicker of surprise—and hurt—that crosses her face, and I hate it, but this is too important.
“Of course I can be nice,” she says finally, though her face is tight.
“I am sorry.” I put a hand on her forearm. “You are my best friend here, but until you meet my mother, you have no idea what she will do to make me bend to her will. If she thinks she has an ally in you, that will make things much more difficult.”
A soft sigh escapes her and she nods. “All right. I understand. And really, it’s not personal. Holly seems fine. I just don’t want her to hurt you. I mean, once she figures out how good her life is with the rich pro athlete, she’s not going to want to leave. Trust me, Viktor, women do things like that—pretend to be in love with a rich man who’ll take care of them.”
“I know that. I am not stupid nor naïve. I have been around for a while. This is not my first relationship.”
“It’s your first marriage and your first fake relationship.”
“You have to trust me the way I have trusted you since we met.”
“I already said I’ll do as you ask.”
“It cannot be…forced. You have to actually like Holly. Smile warmly, hug her when you see her, act like the three of us are best friends too. Otherwise, my mother will know.”
“Done. Whatever you need.”
I know this conversation is hard for her but it’s important to me.
“Thank you.” I lean over and give her a quick hug. “I have to go but you’ll be at the game day after tomorrow, yes?”
She nods, her eyes lighting up. “You think I’d miss it?”
“I am getting you a seat with the wives and girlfriends, along with my parents. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” I nod and walk out, hoping she’s going to cooperate.
I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn’t.
I’m actually nervous as we wait for the limo carrying my family to arrive at the hotel. It takes a lot to make me nervous, but this is big. My mother isn’t going to take the news well that I’m married. And I hate that she’s probably brought along some innocent woman who thinks she’s going to meet her future husband.
“Breathe,” Holly whispers as the stretch limousine pulls up in front of the hotel. Her fingers thread with mine and it’s genuinely comforting. She’s been a rock today, confident and calm, like she’s been preparing for this.
“I apologize in advance for anything mean she says,” I say quietly.
She smiles. “She’ll probably say it in Russian, so I’ll be blissfully unaware.
I chuckle because she’s right. My parents speak a little English, enough to order in a restaurant or ask for directions, but not to have serious, meaningful conversations. So, my mother’s wrath will almost certainly not be in English.
The car pulls to a stop and the driver jumps out, running around to open the doors in the back. My father gets out first, on the far side, and he turns with a smile, though it wavers slightly when he sees me holding Holly’s hand. Like he already knows this is going to be bad.
The driver opens the door closest to us and my mother is out like a shot, her eyes narrowed in annoyance.
“Viktor.” She approaches me with a tight smile, eyes never leaving my face. “What are you doing?”
“Mama.” I kiss her on both cheeks. Then I turn to Holly. “I’d like you to meet someone—this is Holly. My wife.”
My mother freezes, mouth slightly agape. It would be comical if I didn’t know there was a shit storm brewing beneath her cool demeanor.
Because then a younger woman, one I’ve never seen before, exits the limousine. She’s tall and lean and blond. Very much like my ex-fiancée. She stares at me coolly, her eyes drifting to Holly, to my mother, and back again.
“What did you do?” I ask my mother quietly.
Her lips tighten all over again. “What was necessary!”
