14

I was visibly taken aback by such a proposal and couldn’t find what to say right away. Especially considering the fact that Dani actually has a girlfriend.

“And why don’t you invite Angelina?” I ask carefully, and our order is brought to us.

“We broke up,” he answers indifferently, without taking his eyes off me.

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m not. She just isn’t you,” the guy admits, and my cheeks instantly turn the color of a baboon’s backside. “When you rejected me, I won’t lie—I was angry. But then I understood why you did it. Pregnancy, childbirth, your exhausting and difficult motherhood—I didn’t want to pressure you even more with my persistence. But you’re an incredible girl, and you drive me crazy no matter what.”

“Dan,” I don’t know what to say. “Two small children… it’s really not easy. Maybe it’s cute when you see them a couple of times a week, but when you’re with them around the clock—it’s completely different,” my voice trembles from the surge of emotions. “They’re a part of me and my life. Starting any kind of relationship with me means starting a relationship with the three of us, because they are an inseparable part of me. Why would you need such a burden?”

“But I want to be by your side and help you with everything,” the brunette looks at me sincerely and reaches for my hand, squeezing it. “You shouldn’t have to go through all this alone.”

“I should. I’m their mother,” I feel tears welling up in my eyes. “I don’t want to drag you into my burden. At first everything can seem optimistic and emotional, but it’s all hard! I don’t want that one day, when the spark and euphoria fade, you suddenly realize that it’s a strain for you. I don’t want you to regret your decision.”

“I won’t regret anything,” the guy fiercely defends his point of view. “I love you—both of you.”

“And I love you…”

“As a friend?” — the despair in his eyes is obvious.

“Yes,” I lower my gaze. Romantically, I know Danil really attracts me, but I also honestly admit to myself that I’m not in love with him. “I’m just not sure I’m capable right now of dividing myself for another man in my life. My resources are already exhausted to the limit.”

“Vicky…” the crushed expression on his handsome face says more than a thousand words.

“Dani…” I look regretfully at my friend.

“Alright,” the brunette sighs and releases my hand. “I brought this up too early, I won’t pressure you. You’re in a denial stage. I’ll wait. But you are going with me to the event!”

“And what kind of event is it anyway?” I happily change the subject.

“A gathering of some shareholders, investors, inventors, and all sorts of elite. They’re supposed to have some kind of charity evening there, I didn’t really dig into it,” Danil admits, smiling guiltily. “I only know that I have to wear a suit, and you—a formal evening dress.”

“Well, I don’t know…” I start hesitating.

“But I know. It’ll be good for you to break your daily routine and distract yourself a bit. And there will be all sorts of big shots, sponsors, and other inventors—maybe you’ll find it interesting to talk to them about work. Or maybe you’ll even find yourself a better employer than my old man.”

“You’re really not thrilled with your father. And, by the way, he helped me the other day—he watched the boys for me when a coworker asked for help with something.”

“No way?!” Dania’s expression was priceless. “Why would he? He barely spent time with me when I was a kid.”

“I was surprised myself,” I shrug and finally dig into my latte and dessert. “Maybe he’s getting softer with age?”

“I doubt it…”

We stayed in the café for about another hour, talking about different things, remembering our first meeting, smiling a lot. Then we went out for a walk in the nearby park, and Dani walked me home. Fun is fun, but I hadn’t pumped, and I needed to feed the little ones. Even though they’re already eating solid foods quite well, they still don’t want to give up their mom’s milk.

“Today was a nice walk,” I blush under the brunette’s intent gaze when he walks me to my apartment.

“Yeah,” Dani steps closer to me, looking at my lips. I myself both want to and don’t want to. I’m not against a kiss, but I don’t want to give him false hope.

Barely, but his lips still touch mine, and I allow it. Slowly, I respond to the kiss, and then the guy deepens it, stealing my breath.

God, what am I doing?

“Dani,” I pull away, but he doesn’t let go, and we’re both breathing heavily.

“Yes. Sorry, I lost control,” he rasps, almost whispering. “I’m not pressuring you. Will we meet at the event?”

“Alright,” I answer, blushing, and quickly disappear behind my apartment door.