I hold my breath in preparation for when he’ll barge in, disclose that he knows all about our sneaking about session and ground me like I’m twelve-year-old. However, he doesn’t move. The gray of his eyes narrow, darkening on me.
No, not me.
Cecily?
I stare back at her and she’s still slumped against the wall, breathing harshly, and completely oblivious to how my brother is looking at her as if she’s at the top of his shit list.
Oh, no.
The look disappears as fast as it appeared and Jeremy climbs the stairs with his guard and Nikolai. That’s when I actually release a breath.
We’re safe. For now.
“No more wandering in the forest at night,” Cecily grumbles. “I swear I lost a few years of my life.”
“We’ll do it in secret,” Ava whispers to me.
“I heard that and it won’t be happening.”
Ava makes a face and Cecily just stares back. “Very mature.”
“Sorry I want to live my youth to the fullest, Mum.” Ava huffs and takes a glass from a passing waiter.
Yikes. That was probably a guard, considering the glare he threw her way. If I weren’t around, he would’ve grabbed her by the neck and threw her out for the insolence.
She drinks a little, then stops and groans. “Holy shit. This is strong. What is it?”
“Probably pure vodka meant for Jer or Nikolai.”
“I knew Heathens had the best stuff.” She gathers me in a side hug. “We’re lucky we didn’t lose partying privileges.”
“More like reckless,” Cecily lets out under her breath, leaning against a pillar. Her shirt for the day has I would rather be reading. “Can we go back to the dorm now?”
“Hell to the no. You promised to come along, Cecy.”
“Did you forget that we kind of have classes in the morning?”
“Yeah, so? Being a uni student doesn’t conflict with having fun, you know. In fact, everyone but you does, Miss No-Fun.”
“Don’t come begging me to wake you up tomorrow when you’re proper hammered.”
“Pfft. Glyn will.”
“Glyn, who’s with her boyfriend doing God knows what?”
“It’s called fucking, Ces. Repeat after me. F-U-C-K.”
She gives her a blank look and Ava bursts out laughing and goes back to drinking. They all tease Cecily about being a nerd and a prude, but I find her super cool for having clear boundaries for what she likes and what she doesn’t.
I wish I were as confident as she is.
“So…” I clear my throat. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about something.”
“Ooh, sounds juicy.” Ava focuses on me. “What is it?”
“Remember that arranged marriage thingy that I was destined to do ever since they found out I have a vagina?”
“Those patriarchal pricks.” Cecily’s eyes shine with defiance.
“What she said.” Ava bumps her friend’s shoulder. “And? Did they pick up a husband for you at seventeen? Want us to riot in front of the US embassy? Maybe the Russian embassy, too?”
“No on all counts. Mom said she wouldn’t allow it.”
Cecily’s expression eases. “I knew I liked your mum.”
“What she said again. So is your mum going to cut a bitch in your name or should we do it?”
“I don’t think any of that is needed. Mom said Papa won’t let anyone force me into marriage if I have someone I love.”
“Yes! Bitch, why didn’t you say that before and why aren’t we celebrating?”
“Hello? Because I have no one I love?”
“Well, you can find someone.” Ava sighs. “Falling in love is actually easier than it sounds. Overrated, too, just saying. Not that I’m talking from experience or anything.”
“Security, this one right here is a pathological liar,” Cecily says.
“Am not!”
“Are, too!”
“You’re delusional,” Ava says, then focuses on me. “Back to the subject at hand. I’m telling you, Anni, you’re like hot and smart, and I’d totally become gay for you if I had a choice. Point is, anyone can fall in love with you. All you have to do is love them back.”
I lean on the pillar beside Cecily to ease the ache from my ankles and release a long sigh. “That’s easier said than done. I was thinking about convincing someone to fake date me until my parents think I’m in a stable relationship. But then again, they’d see straight through my lies. Also, I would be putting the poor boy at the top of Papa and Jer’s shit list. Also known as the hit list.”