Page 87 of Scarlet Vows

I order a Greek salad, as does she, and we share a plate of fries.

“You look…harried. Not in a totally bad way, but what gives?”

I sigh and tell her about Albert and how I’ve been volunteering.

“He got you a dog? I told you he likes you.” She stops. Peers at me. “And do you like Ilya now?”

“Isla…I’ve always liked him. We’re close. I’m just…”

“Not ready.” She sighs. “So why are you harried?”

“Remember the blond giant?”

“Yeah?”

“Ilya invited him to dinner. It’s a business thing, but I’m nervous. I don’t want this man chasing me, and I don’t want him to work out that the marriage isn’t real,” I say, dropping my voice. “I’m sure it’ll be okay.”

“If you want support, say so. I can come, and I’ll happily provide a distraction. I’m good at small talk and spilling drinks on men by ‘accident’ if they get too handsy.”

I giggle. “Thanks, but I really don’t want Santo to attach himself to you. You’re my best friend. I need to keep you safe.”

“Okay, but invite me if Isaak ever comes over for dinner. I promise I won’t spill my drink on him. Considering he’s a friend.”

I bite down on my smile. “Deal.”

When we’re donewith lunch and go our separate ways, I stop at the shelter, eager to give Eva an update on Albert, and to discuss my research. She did make me take a few days off to spend with Albert, and though she’s pleased to see me, she’s gladder to hear Albert is settled in like he’s lived there all his life.

I show her pictures, including ones of Ilya feeding Albert his special Thai.

“Oh, he’s going to be so spoiled,” she says with a smile. “And is everything good with you and your husband?”

Heat rushes up my neck to my face as our conversation the day I thought I’d lost Albert comes tumbling back. “Yes.”

“Good.” She touches my arm. “Between us, he’s handsome and seems to be a good guy.”

“He is that.”

There’s so much I want to say, to clear up, but I keep it tomyself because it’s all a can of worms. If I go ahead and open up about who that friend was and the truth of our marriage…then it may come back and bite me. Worse, she may innocently say something, and if it ever got to Santo, or worse, anyone from either the estate lawyers or the Belov Bratva, then I’ve gone and ruined everything.

Stranger things have happened.

Eva’s no gossip, but all it takes is a word.

But I’m not here for that.

“I plan on bringing Albert in here with me,” I say, “but I wanted to know your thoughts?”

She frowns. “He has some doggy friends, but it might be better at first to bring him to the park and build up to it so he knows he’s not going to be returned here.”

My heart hurts at her words. “Has that happened?”

“Not to Albert, but yes. People do adopt and return like they’ve decided they don’t like the shoes they bought.”

People suck.

“How horrible,” I say. “I’m guessing that Ilya made a decent donation.”

Her eyes grow round. “Huge. He really wanted Albert for you. The only reason he took him home was how Albert reacted to him. It was like you all over again, but he was so generous.”