As long as he’s buttering me up, we’re going to be just fine. I walk over and pull another stool out, parking my butt on it. “Well, if it isn’t the famous Leokov silver tongue.”
Nik chuckles. “I’m not just saying that to say it. I’m saying it, because it’s true, and I should’ve known you wouldn’t have touched that asshole without a good reason. But for a split second, I thought—stupidly, I might add—that maybe you were gonna be a troublemaker. Like she was. And me, being me, I freaked out, not only because I don’t want to see him go through that shit again, but because I know this is something he can’t go through again.” He tilts his head, a sheepish smile crossing his face. “So I pushed when I should’ve reigned it in, and I’m sorry.”
I look down at the counter before I push my luck. “I know I’m meant to feel sorry for what I did, but I don’t. Not even a little. I’d probably do it all over again. The bitch deserved it.”
Nik’s rough laugh washes over me. “Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that. And secretly, I’m glad she got hers.”
I peek up at him and wince. “So about the lawsuit—”
But he cuts me off with a gentle shake of his head. “Didn’t you hear? We have witnesses to say she hit you first.”
My mouth gapes. “But she didn’t—”
He speaks over me, lip twitching. “And wouldn’t you know it? There isn’t CCTV in the bathrooms. We reported her before she managed to report us.” He shrugs. “Good to have friends at the NYPD.”
I smile. “Sure is.”
He smiles down at me, stands, and opens his arms wide. “Come here.”
Without a second thought, I stand and walk into his embrace. He wraps me up into a bear hug and sways me from side-to-side. “I’m so sorry. I promise I won’t ever talk to you like that again.”
Squeezing him tight, I lay on the guilt-trip I know I’m entitled to. “You were so mean.”
As he lets out a sore groan, I chuckle and he kisses my temple. “You’re all right, kid.”
We separate, and being a smartass, I ask, “So you don’t mind my dating Max?”
He scoffs, “Dating? Shit, I hope you marry his lame ass.”
“Oh my gods, don’t say things like that! You’ll scare him off,” I mutter, only half-joking.
Nik raises his brows and states in earnest, “You could chase that fear away.” He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You make him happy.”
The front door opens and Max walks in with two coffees in a cardboard holder. He looks down at Nik’s hand over mine and accuses, “You stealin’ my girl, homes?” Then he looks over at me and asks, “You good, cupcake?”
His concern and consideration warms me. “Yeah.”
Nik looks down at the coffees. “You didn’t get me one?”
Max grins. “Nope, but I got Mrs. Crandle a tea.” He did? This man. Sweet Jesus, he’s killing me! “Now take the hint and go home.”
Nik shakes his head, but walks to the door. “Shut up, bonehead.”
Max scowls. “You shut up.”
Nik turns back to me and utters, “Helena. Always a pleasure, sweetheart.” Then he tells Max, “Make sure you bring her to dinner tomorrow night.”
Max opens the door for Nik. “I will. Smell ya later, bro.”
Nik lifts his hand high in a wave and Max closes the door on him. I can’t help but laugh. “You’re so rude to him.”
Max smiles and says, “He knows I love him. Besides, it’s fun pissing him off.” He checks his watch. “Should we pick up Ceecee soon and have a real breakfast? You know, before midday?”
My smile falls. I’m really not feeling up to seeing anyone today. In fact, I was hoping to have a day in. Alone. “Would you be totally peeved if I skipped breakfast this morning?”
His face turns apprehensive. “Everything okay?”
I force a cheerful smile. “Of course. I’m just feeling a little…tired today.”
His face falls further. However, he clears his throat and nods. “Uh, yeah. Okay. That’s cool. I’ll tell Ceecee we’ll see you tomorrow.”
No argument? No questions? No guilt? Who is this man?
Walking over to him, I snake my arms around his middle, rest my chin on his chest, and look up at him. “Thank you for understanding.”
But how he responds tears me apart inside. “I know I can be too much sometimes.”
Pulling back, I frown. “Anyone who’s ever told you you’re too much doesn’t know you at all.” I run my hand down the side of his cheek and state, “You’re the perfect amount of much. I just don’t think I’d be the best company today, and I don’t want Ceecee to feel like I don’t want to be there.”
He smiles then, and it’s a real Max smile. I immediately relax. He bends down to kiss the top of my head. “You know, if something’s bothering you, you can talk to me.”
I squeeze him a second time and admit, “Thanks. I think I’m just homesick. I miss the beach.” Pulling back, I gasp. “Why don’t the three of us go to Coney Island next weekend? I mean, I know it’s not exactly summer, but that would be fun, right? Do you think Ceecee would like it?”
Max chuckles. “Whoa, there. Hold up. Firstly, sure. Secondly, yes, that would be fun. Thirdly, she’d love it.”
Now I’m excited. I grip his forearms and rush out, “I heard people at work talking about how Coney Island’s wheelchair access has tripled over the last few years, and they’ve got these cool things called Mobi-Mats that they’ve set down on the sand so people with wheelchair’s can make it almost all the way to the water! Maybe if it’s warm enough, we can take her all the way down to the beach, you can lift her out of her chair, and she can dip her feet in the water?”
Although he smiles, his brows crease. He looks like he wants to say something, but instead shakes his head. “We can do anything you like, Lena. Anything.”
My brain snorts coke and blacks out, leading me to blurt out, “You’re turning out to be the best boyfriend ever, and that scares the crap out of me.” After I say this, I bend at the waist, reach up with a shaking hand to hold my now-sweating forehead, and hyperventilate.
Wow. That was just…bravo.
But Max just laughs. When I right myself, I smile up at him so weakly that it feels like a cringe. He walks to the door, opens it, and confides, “You keep saying things like that and I’m gonna go ahead and fall in love with you.” At the shocked look on my face, he grins. “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.” Then he walks out, closing the door behind him.