Page 37 of Bratva Prince

Finally, he looked up.Everything changed.The tension left his shoulders almost instantly.His expression softened when he saw her, and he automatically moved toward her.

“Sofia.”His voice carried surprise, and something warmer.

She folded her arms, trying not to look too pleased.

“Long day?”Sofia asked.

“A terrible one.”

His gaze drifted toward the stove, then toward the prepared table, and back to her.Suspicion appeared immediately.

“What did you do?”Dimitri asked.

Sofia laughed.

The question was so completely Dimitri.

“What makes you think I did something?”Sofia asked.

“Because you’re smiling.”

“That isn’t evidence,” she pointed out.

“It is for you.”

Unfortunately, that was fair.Dimitri stepped close, and his gaze landed on the food.He widened his eyes, looking positively surprised.

“You cooked?”The disbelief in his voice earned a glare.

“I know how,” Sofia retorted.

“I never said you didn’t.”

“You were thinking it,” she pointed out.

His mouth twitched.There it was.That almost-smile she loved, the one most people never saw.The one reserved for family ...well, mostly for her.

“I may have considered the possibility.”

Sofia rolled her eyes.Then pointed toward the table.

“Sit,” she said.

Dimitri immediately obeyed.That surprised her too.She carried over the food.The moment the aroma reached him, his expression changed to one of recognition.

“You made this?”he asked.

Sofia nodded.The room became unexpectedly quiet.For a second she worried she’d gotten it wrong.Then Dimitri looked back down at the dish.Something almost nostalgic crossed his face.

“My mother used to make this,” he murmured.

“I know.”

His eyes returned to hers.Understanding dawned, followed by something dangerously soft.

“You asked about her,” he stated.

The realization settled between them.Sofia suddenly felt strangely self-conscious.