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I turn and find her watching everyone, too. She’s late, but that’s fine.
She gives me a little smile, and we exchange a quick hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I smile back at her.
“Me too. How are you doing?” She studies my face.
“I’m happy.” I genuinely mean that.
“Good. Happy friend, happy life.”
We both laugh.
“I’m gonna grab one of those kebabs your mom is cooking.” She points toward Mama. “Then I’m going to come back and try to persuade you to go to Monaco with me after you return from Bora Bora.”
“Monaco? Oh my gosh. Why do you think you’ll have to persuade me?”
“Because that husband of yours will miss you terribly. He won’t let you out of his sight long enough to go anywhere with me, especially knowing about my crazy adventures.”
I laugh. “Good point, but let me work on him. Monaco sounds amazing.”
“It is. Imagine a girls’ trip for a full week. You deserve it. Sun, sea, and shopping.”
“That sounds like fun—and scheming,” Lev says from behind us.
I turn to face him. I never even heard him approach.
“What are you two planning?” He looks directly at Anushka.
“A little getaway.” She gives him a sassy shrug. “But you two can talk about it. I’m going to bother Cassian. He owes me a favor.”
“Good luck with that,” Lev says.
Anushka saunters away. Lev draws me into his arms and smiles.
“I heard something about a girls’ trip.”
I smile and slide my arms around his neck. “Monaco. Would you be okay with that?”
“Can I come with you?”
I laugh. “What would be the point of it being a girls’ trip if you come with me?”
“Exactly.”
“Lev, you are so silly.”
“Of course, you can go. Just call me every day, let me know where you are at all times, and take one of the guards with you.”
“Oh my gosh. You are insufferable.”
“But you love me. You really do, don’t you?”
“You know I do.”
“Then come here and give your husband a kiss. I miss those lips.”
He draws me in for the kiss. As our lips meet, I sink into the bliss of being with him. I never thought I could be Allegra again or have this kind of happiness.
