Bad Nerd Falling (11 page)

“
They are all nice
here?”

“
Now they are. We
convinced him to evict some of the nasty ones, and he moved in to
his favorite flat after some renovations.”

“
So you’re nice to him
because he’s your landlord?”

“
Of course. And also
because I love hearing him play.”

“
Can you play an
instrument? As I recall you took lessons.”

“
Yes, I still play the
guitar. Beau makes me come down and play with him when he’s having
trouble.”

“
Why haven’t you helped
him with that first piece?”

Helena’s expression turned smug. “I
have. Only I mastered it and he hasn’t.”

He laughed. That came as a surprise,
but it felt good. “I see. Did he threaten to throw you out onto the
street.”

“
Of course, but I
threatened him with Prince Aleksi if he did so he decided to let me
stay.”

His pretend scowl didn’t cause her to
miss even one step. “Isn’t that an abuse of power?”

“
Yes, and I use it well.”
She sent him a sweet smile and his heart melted. Exactly as the
little minx intended.

“
You are one dangerous
lady.”

Her laughter was sweeter yet. His
heart flipped this time. It also signaled that it was thinking of
leaving him. He was concerned that it might already have done so
without prior notice. Helena likely now owned it.

That should probably scare him more than it
did.

Chapter 10

The next morning on the way down the
stairs she ran into Beau.

“
Did I hear a man with you
last night?”

“
He spent the evening with
me.”

Beau’s brown hair gleamed in the early
morning sunshine as his cat colored amber eyes watched her with a
little too much perception. “Kind of sudden wasn’t
this?”

“
The man with me was
Vlad.”

Those dreamy eyes widened. “I see.
That puts a new spin on it.”

“
That’s why I told you,
Mr. Nosy.” She tried to tweak the nose in question.

He avoided her without much
effort.

“
So when do I get to meet
this Wonderman?”

Helena sent him an incredulous look.
“Why should I introduce you?”

“
I’m a man. I can tell
what his intentions are better than you.”

“
Um, you do know I’m good
friends with Prince Aleksi, right?”

“
Yeah, so?”

“
He’s best friends with
Emerson and
Maks
who is Vlad’s
brother
.”

Beau whistled softly. “I forgot your
man was kin to Maks Wellington.”

“
See, you don’t need to
vet him, since I have plenty of people who can.”

“
Doesn’t matter,” Beau
decided decisively as they traversed the final set of stairs. “I
should still make certain he’s acceptable.”

Even though she was skeptical she
still appreciated that Beau really did care and fully intended to
check out Vlad. If she could have special ordered an older brother,
this man would be her choice. Well, Beau and Aleksi.

“
Remember Emerson is
married to my sister.”

“
Of course I remember
that.” Beau was about as far from what she had always considered a
classical musician to be than she could imagine. Really the man
looked more like a rock star than classical pianist.

His musical compositions were played
by orchestras all over the world. Ironically, the piece he
struggled with was one of his own design. What kept frustrating him
was that he couldn’t seem to play the piece the same way it sounded
in his head. No one else heard the mistakes, but he was a bit of a
perfectionist.

Or perhaps all
perfectionist.

Still, classical music wasn’t her
favorite, even though she did enjoy his performances. She didn’t
mind his practice sessions and when he composed wasn’t bad.
Although if anyone else from his orchestra had moved in downstairs
she would have left the building.

“
So if you remember that
Emerson is my brother-in-law then why do you need to meet
Vlad?”

“
Because I’m guessing
Emerson grew up with him.”

“
That’s true.”

“
Childhood memories might
skew his opinion.”

“
Yes.” She bit her
lip.
Beau might have a valid
point
. “What do you want me to
do?”

Never one to miss an opportunity,
Beau’s reply came without hestiation. “Invite both of us to supper
one evening. Does Vlad have a sister?” He sounded
hopeful.

Amusement bubbled. “You are a
cad.”

“
I’m trying to meet women
in a reasonable, sensible atmosphere. There’s nowhere nicer than
your kitchen.”

“
He has two sisters. One
is in America finishing her schooling. The other is actually back
in Rurikstan. But we’re not certain for how long.”

“
And her name
is?”

“
Molly
Wellington.”

Beau’s eyes narrowed as he ushered her
into the lobby. “There’s a violinist by that name. She’s well
known.”

“
Yes, she plays for a
country star in America. Where she’s known more as a
fiddler.”

This time Beau winced. “It’s a shame
when a great musician has to stoop to such levels.”

“
Who says she’s stooped?
From what I gather, she’s really enjoying her work.” Helena cocked
her head to the side. “Beau, you’re a snob.”

He looked baleful for a moment before
his handsome face cleared and he nodded. “You know, I believe
you’re correct.” The man didn’t even pretend to be upset by
this.

“
I’m not introducing you
to Vlad’s sister.”

“
Oh, I think you
are.”

***

“
So is Molly here on
holiday?” Helena fished later that day as she and Maria worked
together.

“
Yes. I really hate how
far from home she is.”

“
You grew up in America.
Doesn’t it stand to reason that your children would want to spend
time there?”

“
Maks is the only one who
hasn’t shown much interest.”

“
Vlad talks about it
sometimes.”

“
Do you think he’s here to
stay, Helena?” There was longing in Maria’s voice.

“
I don’t know.” She had
thought about it, but really, she didn’t know. An identical longing
spurted through her.

“
He doesn’t say much to
you?”

“
No.” Last night they had
danced all around her flat. The lights from the street shined on
them, ensconcing them in shadows as they laughed and enjoyed their
time together.

Whether he planned to remain here, or
return to America was a mystery. But Helena didn’t want to leave
Rurikstan. Like Maks, she was content here. Maybe others felt the
bug of wanderlust, but not her. She took her schooling in Paris
mostly because a favorite aunt lived there and Helena could live
with her. Those had been happy years for both of them.

In the back of her mind all four years
though, Helena had known she would return home, find a job and wait
for Vlad. Even then, during her university years her thoughts and
yearnings and desires had revolved around a man who wasn’t there.
In fact, she had no idea where he was those years.

Except in her heart. Had she carried
around the image of a man who didn’t exist? Was he a figment of her
imagination? Someone who in the light of day would only disappoint
her?

Certainly the man could kiss her
senseless. He had the power to make her forget her own name. To
lose sight of everything around her.

“
Are you still here?”
Maria teased beside her.

“
What?” Her cheeks flushed
with heat. “Yes. This is what your son does to me.”

“
I know. His father still
has the same power on me.”

Helena smiled. “That’s
nice.”

“
Is it?” Maria’s lips
twisted.

“
Oh yes. That the two of
you are still in love now, after four kids and all these years is
pretty impressive.”

Maria’s smile was loving and quite
beautiful. “I can’t imagine being with any other man.”

“
Me either.” And that was
the crux of the problem.

“
So why did you ask about
Molly?”

“
Oh, my landlord wants to
meet Vlad. Of course he asked if Vlad had a sister.”

Maria’s matchmaking instincts erupted.
“Is your landlord attractive?”

Here it
goes
. “Yes.”

“
Is he single?”

A great question. “Yes.”

“
Does he have a good
job?”

“
Yes.”

Maria huffed out an exasperated
breath. “Could you please expound on your answers?”

“
Oh, that’s what you
wanted.” She danced out of Maria’s swat zone and giggled as she
finished labeling plates.

“
Helena,” Maria warned
between clenched teeth.

“
He’s a well known
musician both in Europe and America.”

“
What instrument does he
play?”

“
The piano. He’s a
composer and has recently joined Rurikstan’s orchestra.”

“
What’s his name?” Jorge,
who was working at a nearby bench, snuck in the question. Since
Jorge was a little older, they enjoyed teasing him about his geezer
taste in music, but it was true he enjoyed classical
music.

“
Beau DuBois.”

Even Maria gasped. “I’ve heard of him.
He’s quite handsome and has a very promising career ahead of
him.”

“
He’s one of those up and
coming artists who has arrived.” Jorge was so excited he actually
stopped what he was doing to crowd closer.

“
Yes. He lives in the flat
below me. Vlad and I danced to his practice session last
evening.”

Jorge’s mouth dropped open. “You get
to hear him practice?”

“
Yes. I also yell comments
and suggestions down the cupboard to him.”

Maria tilted her head. “You saw Vlad
last night?”

At that question, Tia emerged from her
office. She parked on the remaining stool. “When did this become a
gossip session about my life?” Helena mock complained.

“
Your life is interesting.
Spill it.” Tia swung the stool left then right in a lazy half
circle.

“
You’re just tired of
working on the budget, that’s why you came out here.”

Tia’s smile was mysterious and
alluring. “I’m marrying the prince. So I’ll get whatever I
want.”

“
Hmm, there is something
to be said for that.” Maria’s smile resembled Tia’s.

Helena straightened. “Hey, is that why
you got everything you asked for at the hospital?”

“
Of course,” Jorge
answered for Maria.

“
Trust me when I say that
our private negotiations were a lot of fun.”

“
I don’t want to hear
about this,” Helena said with a groan.

“
I do.” Tia waved her
hand. “Private negotiations?” She sounded
quite
interested.

Maria was all but purring. “They go
much better if you’re wearing high heels.”

“
That was a low blow,
Maria,” Tia scolded and Helena seconded.

“
I’m guessing Tia will get
whatever she wants regardless of what she’s wearing.” Jorge used
his chin to indicate their future princess. “That doesn’t bode well
for our country.”

Tia grinned. “Don’t worry, I’m
planning to be kind.”

“
Thank you.” Jorge sounded
like he meant it.

“
I think it all depends on
what constitutes
kind.
” She stared at Tia.

Maria nodded. Her expression was
solemn but her eyes were snapping with mischief and enjoyment.
“Definitely. Graham has never complained about my negotiation
skills.”

“
I’m guessing Aleksi won’t
mind mine.” Tia’s smile turned really intimate and she abruptly
stood.

“
What are you doing?”
Helena called as Tia made for the door.

“
I’m going to start our
negotiations.”

“
Poor man.” Jorge shook
his head.

Maria snorted. “Poor man? He’s about to
thoroughly enjoy his morning.”

Chapter 11

“
Are you certain you
haven’t figured out that password?”

Emerson was, without a doubt, his most
annoying friend. “Yes, I’m certain.”

Maks stirred. “Your father wanted you
to know that information.”

“
Yes.” They had already
talked about this. It still hadn’t helped him figure out the USB
drive password.