39 First Impression

The boss is the boss, and I don’t really care where we go, so we head to the local park.

“Alright, Kir, go run wild over there, I’ll sit on the bench. I partied hard yesterday and my head needs peace. No incidents,” I give the kid a direct instruction, and he happily runs off to the huge playground.

My phone pings with a message. Ksyusha starts sending photos from last night’s event. What I really care about are the professional shots of my performance. Of course, I’ve got a social media page for my work profile, under a stage name. That’s where I get bookings for events and corporate gigs, so I need good photos for it.

I got so absorbed in scrolling through the pictures and picking the best ones that I didn’t immediately notice someone had sat down next to me. And not just sat down, but I could clearly feel him drilling holes into me with his stare. God, I hate people’s shameless audacity and total disregard for personal space.

I lift my chin, ready to tell someone exactly where to go, but almost trip over my words when I meet those studying green eyes.

Well damn. That’s a specimen. Good-looking, too good-looking. Definitely one of those guys who admires his own abs while fucking someone.

“Staring at strangers isn’t very polite,” I cut the smugness off that overly satisfied pretty boy right away.

“Then let’s get acquainted? My name’s Nazar,” God, that perfect smile… how much did you drop at the dentist?

He really is good-looking, the bastard. Tall, solid, tanned, and that bold, promising look… pure alpha male and womanizer. I had one like that just yesterday trying to prove his bedroom skills. Total disappointment.

“Sorry, I’m not interested,” I cut him off and stop staring back at the brunette, returning to my phone.

Knowing the type, and how badly they handle rejection, I decide to play it safe and text Kirill, asking him to play along and help me get rid of this unwanted admirer if needed.

“Not interested in what?”

Oh, come on. Not today. My head’s already splitting. The pretty boy doesn’t want to give up and keeps bothering me with his presence, which is honestly starting to get on my nerves.

“In yet another puffed-up womanizer who thinks every girl should melt into a puddle at his feet at the first opportunity, just because he graced her with his attention!” I decide to say it straight to his face. I have zero doubt that’s exactly what he is. I see guys like that every day, deal with them all the time. My radar’s sharp.

“And what makes you think that?!” he actually has the nerve to twist his face into an offended expression. Oh, pure innocence, sure.

“It’s obvious, Nazar. I can spot a flaky man from a mile away,” all the pretty boys are obsessed with their looks, polished to perfection. Just like this one. Stylish jeans hugging long legs, a tight T-shirt over a pumped body, and a leather jacket adding that extra edge and sex appeal. “I’ve had enough. I’m tired.”

“I’m not like that!”

Yeah, and I’m a virgin nun.

“Listen, Nazar,” I try to reason with him, “that’s enough already. I’m not what you’re looking for. Besides, I have a child.”

I see his face twist for a couple of seconds. Ha! Got you, Casanova!

Luckily, Kir joins the act right on time. We look pretty similar, both dark-haired, so the stranger freezes, blinking in shock.

“Mom, can I play a bit longer?” my little brother clearly isn’t used to lying big-time and looks nervous, glancing at the man next to me.

“Of course, sweetheart,” I smile approvingly and wink at him. “Ten minutes, no more.”

“Well, kids aren’t an obstacle,” the brunette tries to joke after Kir disappears from sight.

Of course they are. We both know it. Especially for guys like him. The kind who hate responsibility and are used to casual relationships, a kid is a major inconvenience.

I switch to my proven strategy and go full ignore mode. If he likes staring, let him stare, as long as he shuts up and doesn’t give me another headache.

Apparently, my cold shoulder works, and the guy gives up and leaves. I sigh in relief and send Kir some thank-you emojis.

But my joy doesn’t last long. A few minutes later, this annoying idiot comes back and starts staring at me again.