Page 113 of Maksim
“We already have a ring,” she offers with an amused grin.
I take it and chuck it across the room, then shake my head while slowly inching my lips closer to hers. “You’re a fucking lunatic.”
Her teeth shine with a smile as her eyes close. “But you love it.”
Yeah. Yeah, I kind of do.
EPILOGUE
ELIRA
“Iguess he’s already paid the dowry,” Asher mutters, her jaw working as she gazes around the back room of the banquet hall in disapproval. Her arms are crossed over her chest, and her thin brows are nearly touching.
She’s referring to the money Maksim deposited into Mami’s account a month ago, before we were even engaged.
I turn back to the mirror with a smile. “We’re not that traditional.”
“Oh, so should we give it back, then?”
My nose crinkles as I snicker, smoothing an imaginary stray hair back into the updo that took an hour and a half to perfect.
“What’s so funny?” She cocks her hip out like the drama queen she is.
When I meet her eyes in the mirror, a surge of joy overtakes me.
Back home, back before, there were times I thought I could kill her. We fought like crazy, but having her here these past few weeks… I don’t know if it’ll ever get old. And I don’t think I can ever go back to the way things used to be. When I look at her, I see a gift I’ll never take for granted another day in my life.
“Maksim is family now, zemra. Give the man a chance.”
Her lips purse as she swings her head away, freshly-curled, brunette locks swaying. “Maybe him. Maybe. But not the sister. She’s tactless.”
“Yeah?” I shrug and apply powder to a brush before dabbing my face. “She said you’re a fucking cunt.”
Asher’s jaw drops in shock as her head swings back my way, and I laugh while dipping the brush in more powder.
“See what I mean?” She throws out her arms. “Mami would scrub my tongue with soap if I said such a thing.”
“I know, I can still taste it.”
“Then how can you condone it?” she demands like it’s a criminal offense. If she knew about the criminal offenses I do condone, she’d really freak.
But that isn’t what this is about. She was always going to find something wrong with my new family. She just needs time.
“Maksim doesn’t parent that way.”
“He doesn’t parent at all.”
“Then you two should get along well.” I turn to her and wink, but she doesn’t react to it.
Her pretty brown eyes glisten as she looks at me seriously. “Are you happy here?”
My smile falls slowly, and I turn toward her before nodding. “Of course, I am.” I gesture to my dress, one far superior to the one I came to America in. The engagement ring on my hand is fit for a queen, and despite me insisting we had a perfectly good ring already, this one wasn’t stolen. It was chosen, just for me. Not earned, just gifted. Maksim doesn’t make me feel like I have to earn anything. Maksim makes me feel like I’ve already completed everything in the world I set out to do. Maksim makes me feel whole.
“Look at me. Don’t I look happy?” I ask, unsure what she sees.
Tears well in her eyes, and her lips twist to one side as she looks away and nods. Seeing the hurt on her face, I understand. She just misses me. She misses me the way I miss her, only she isn’t the one who left.
I open my mouth, ready to say more, but she comes to me and throws her arms around my waist, hugging me so tightly, my lips part with surprise. My eyes close with a sigh as I lay my cheek on her head and hug her back.