Release (Off Balance 3)

"I am glad. I do not like it, and you do not need it. Contrary to what you believe, Adrianna, I do not prefer women to be perfect. I already have a Russian doll. I do not need, or want, another one. Please do not wear it again."

I flinched at the scowl in his tone. My stomach clenched. He was comparing me to his wife.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to b

ring her up."

"You're forgiven." I knew he hadn’t meant anything by it.

Setting the spoon on the counter, I turned around and eyed Kova. "Why is Katja not here on your birthday? She should be here to celebrate with you."

I couldn’t believe I was nonchalantly bringing up Katja. I never did. But I was exhausted and just too tired to fight, and truthfully, I felt bad for him.

Kova shrugged it off and his smile vanished. "It is just another day to me and not a big deal, Adrianna. One of her girlfriends is opening a new high-end boutique, so she flew to be with her at the grand opening."

"Who says boutique these days?"

"Is that not what they are called?"

I shrugged. "I guess. It just sounds funny coming from your Russian lips."

"Who says Russian lips?" he quickly countered, and I grinned at him.

I liked this, just being carefree and playful with Kova. Before things got complicated and heartbreak got in the way.

This was the reason his demeanor changed earlier when he picked me up. It's why he was standoffish, and why he was annoyed. It all made sense now. I couldn't blame him. I’d spent many birthdays alone and it was so depressing, no matter how hard I tried to pretend it wasn't.

"Couldn't she have said no and not gone?"

It disturbed me Katja skipped out on his birthday.

"Just drop it. I really do not care. It is just another day."

"No, I can't. You're her husband. You're more important than a dumb clothing store. It's too bad she can't see that."

Everyone should look forward to their one big day a year that was dedicated to them. My parents had never cared much about my birthday and it always saddened me. Avery would bring me a small cake and we'd eat the entire thing together.

Last year, I’d spent it in my condo by myself with a cupcake Thomas had bought me.

A birthday alone was a miserable one, and I didn't want that for Kova. He may be an asshole, but I’d learned it was all a façade. Underneath his tough exterior, it bothered him to be alone, even though he was trying to act blasé about it. It's why he wanted me to want him. I knew it was. He had a huge, tender heart he hid from the world.

"You know, if you don't have anything to do, I was going to sit out on my patio and catch some fireworks. You can stay and watch with me, if you want?" I suggested softly.

* * *

"Are you finally going to tell me what is on your mind?" he asked, threading his fingers through mine. I watched as he brought our joined hands to his mouth and pressed his lips to them. I swallowed, my heart leaping into my tight throat. Our hands stayed pressed to his lips, as if he was breathing us in and savoring the moment.

"As you can see, Kova, I actually love to eat. I was just worked to the bone and starved most of the time."

He eyed me. "I believe you."

"Do you?" I questioned, and he nodded.

I ended up drinking half the container of bone broth and Kova had the other half while admitting that he liked it. Then he ordered us dinner from a Mexican restaurant because he said we couldn’t survive on a liquid diet and that I deserved to cheat and splurge after the week I had. And I did. I ate everything, surprising myself and Kova. I wasn't even sure what I ate. It had looked super unhealthy, but tasted and smelled amazing. I devoured the gooey, cheesy, meat-filled rolled tortillas with red rice and beans on the side. Apparently Mexican food was one of Kova’s favorites. I never would have guessed.

Now we were sitting on the couch and my stomach coiled with emotions that defied each other. I glanced out the sliding glass door. The sun had dropped long ago and I could hear fireworks booming in the distance. I knew why I felt this way. I had two problematic concerns I thought about day in and day out.

One issue was that I liked how well we worked together, how, in this moment, we both just went with the flow like it was the most normal thing in the world for us. In my heart it felt right, and I knew he felt the same way. It reminded me of the day we’d spent at his house when Katja was away.