Page 68 of Beautiful Trauma

When her expression darkened, I reached for her hand. “Those sound like beautiful memories.”

With a nod, she said, “After she died, I managed to keep all of her books and journals. As I continued studying, it was a way to keep me connected to her memory.”

“It’s still not too late to become an astronomer,” I replied.

Mila snatched her hand back and shot me an exasperated look. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not.”

“You know as well as I do that I can never become an astronomer.”

“Maybe it can’t be your job, but you could still get a degree in it.”

Mila opened her mouth to argue with me, but then quickly shut it. “Maybe I could take some classes.

“Absolutely.”

“What about you?”

“What would I have done if I hadn’t been born into the Kavanaugh clan?”

“Yes.”

“Even though I’m good at finance, it’s not entirely what I would have wanted. I would have been satisfied maybe being an estate manager for horse farms.”

Mila’s brows popped wide in surprise. “You like horses?”

I nodded. “We had about ten of them growing up.”

“So did we.”

With a grin, I said, “Look at us having more in common than just the underworld.”

Pushing me playfully, Mila replied, “Whatever.”

“I have a small farm now.”

“Get out of here.”

I laughed. “I do.”

“Youhave a horse farm.”

“Why is that surprising when I just told you I grew up with horses?”

“You just impress me as more of a city guy.”

“Trust me. I’m not. The best thing I ever did was buy ten acres outside of the city and get horses.”

“I’d love to see it.”

“Then I’ll take you there,” I replied, with a smile.”

She tilted her head coyly at me. “Did you just ask me on a date, Mr. Kavanaugh?”

“Yes, Ms. Korolova, I did.”

In her eyes, I could see there was more she wanted to say. Like with our birthday party, I knew she was thinking we had an expiration date. Because of my family and hers we couldn’t possibly have a future. But I was going to do my damndest to make her see that we could.