She shook her head and suppressed a smile. “No.”
He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her close. “Liar,” he whispered in her ear.
She snuck a kiss and then replied, “You’re trouble.”
He shook his head in disagreement. “I think your car is holding that title right now.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I fear I must agree with you.”
“Let me buy you a car.”
“No!” she vehemently refused.
“Amanda, I don’t want the woman that I love driving around in a car that randomly stops working. We could have been on the highway when that happened.”
She exhaled loudly, being unable to counter his reason. “So maybe a newer car is in order. But I will buy it. I will get a loan from the bank and I will purchase my own car,” she said firmly.
“Why bother with a bank, I’ll loan you the money.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll never let me pay you back!” she exclaimed, knowing what he was like already.
“What if I promise to let you pay me back?”
“I wouldn’t believe you for one.”
“Come on.”
“What difference does it make if I get a loan from the bank instead of you?”
“I won’t repossess your car if you fall behind,” Viktor reasoned.
“That’s assuming you would even let me fall behind!” she shot back.
“You are so frustrating,” Viktor huffed.
“I’ll start looking at new cars, Viktor. Okay?”
“Yep,” he replied, unable to hide his irritation.
“Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad.”
“You look mad,” she said.
“Do you want me to be mad?” he gruffly responded.
She stepped back with a timorous look on her face. “No.”
Seeing her look insecure and nervous, melted the feelings of frustration that were building in him. He took her hand and answered her with a soft, reassuring smile. “I’m not mad.”
She offered a timid smile in return. “Okay.”
The tow truck arrived shortly after and Viktor paid him cash to drop her car off at her mechanic’s shop. He then called a taxi to take them to Amanda’s apartment.
“I can’t believe it died again,” Amanda moaned as she set her bag down by the front door.
She left Viktor and headed for the bathroom. While she was there, Viktor walked quickly and quietly to her bedroom and opened her jewelry box. He looked at a few pieces and as he was about to close it up, Amanda’s voice suddenly cut the silence.
“What are you doing?” she asked, looking puzzled.
“You were fast,” he remarked.
“I only washed my hands.”
“Oh,” he looked down at the jewelry in his hands wondering how he was going to explain it.
“You’re not really a wealthy landowner,” she said as she walked towards him. “You’re a jewel thief who steals cheap jewelry from the women he seduces.”
He laughed and put the jewelry back. “You caught me.”
She reached her hands up to his face and pulled him towards her so she could kiss him. He put his arms around her waist and held her as they kissed.
“What are you doing, Viktor?” she asked him again.
He hung his head, realizing he would need to come clean. “I was trying to figure out what kind of jewelry you like.”
“The kind that I could lose and not feel bad about.”
“Answer me seriously,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because if I buy you something, I want you to like it.”
“I like the set you bought me from Scotland.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “But let’s talk about more … traditional jewelry.”
“Like what?”
“What kind of metal do you favor?” he asked, thinking maybe she needed some coaching.
“Silver.”
“What about white gold or platinum?”
“As long as it’s not yellow. I hate yellow gold.”
“Good. See, this is what I need to know.”
“Please don’t buy me jewelry, Viktor. I’ll be terrified to lose it.”
“If you lose it, I’ll buy you another one.”
“Viktor,” she pleaded. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Your favorite color is purple.”
“It is,” she confirmed.
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Please don’t buy me anything,” she begged.
“I can’t promise that,” he said. “But I won’t do it often.”
She sighed. “I guess I should expect that.”
“By the way, I’m paying for your car to be repaired.” Before she could protest he added, “No arguing.”
“Viktor?” She looked at him and smiled.
“Yes.” He grinned back.
“I’m glad you were with me.”
He gently caressed her face. “Me too.”
Chapter 31
Two weeks after getting back from Maine, Viktor was getting ready to go into the office. He heard his phone ringing as he stepped out of the shower but didn’t get to it in time before it went to voicemail. He saw it was Amanda’s mom and that she had called twice. He quickly called her back.
“Viktor?”
“Brenda, is everything okay?”
“You need to call Amanda right now.”
“What’s going on?”
“I can’t tell you. She made me promise. She’ll be furious if she knew I called you. You just need to call her. She’s crying. Make her tell you what’s going on.”
“Is she okay?” he asked, feeling his pulse rising.
“She’s crying right now. Call her. Make her tell you.”
“Okay. I’ll call her right now.”
Brenda hung up and Viktor quickly dialed Amanda while pacing in his towel. She didn’t pick up the first time. He waited 60 seconds and then called again.
“Hey, babe,” she cheerfully answered.
“Hi, sweetheart. You on lunch break?”
“Umm. I … uhh ... didn’t feel good so I didn’t go in.”
“You sound a little stuffy. You coming down with a cold?” he asked and then heard her burst into tears. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Nothing,” she cried.
Viktor took a moment to respond, “Well, I don’t consider myself an expert but people don’t normally cry over nothing.” Quiet sobs continued to emanate from the phone. “Why don’t you want to tell me?”
“Because you’ll worry.”
“I’m worried now.” When she still didn’t respond he changed his tone and firmly demanded, “Amanda, you need to tell me what’s going on.”
“I have to have a biopsy,” she sobbed.
He sat on the edge of his bed. “Of what?”
“A spot on my breast.”
“How long have you known about this?” he asked, wondering just how long she had kept it from him.
“I felt sore in Maine,” she explained. “But I thought I had
