Isn't It Bromantic (Bromance Book Club #4) by Lyssa Kay Adams

            “My staff has it under control. Do you like lattes? Tea? Something stronger?”

            “I’ll take whatever your favorite is.”

            Alexis grinned. “Honey soy latte, coming right up.”

            She returned a few minutes later with her drink, a bakery bag bursting at the seams, and a plate of various pastries. Alexis sat down after setting it all on the table. “On the house,” she said, grinning still.

            “Oh, I cannot let you do that,” Elena protested.

            “Already done. I put some cookies in the bag for Vlad to taste along with some more muffins.”

            “Vlad will be so happy. Thank you.”

            “He’s my official taste tester for gluten-free products.”

            Elena sipped her latte. The sweet flavor was light and airy on her tongue. “This is very good. Thank you.”

            “My pleasure.” Alexis leaned forward then with a sympathetic wince. “How is Vlad?”

            Elena was getting used to this question but still stumbled over her answer. “Good. I mean, he’s upset about missing the Stanley Cup, of course. But he’s not in any pain.”

            “The party will be good for him,” Alexis said. “Noah and the guys have been so worried about him for the past few months.”

            That was the second time someone had mentioned Vlad being in a bad way in recent months. She thought Claud was just being mean when she mentioned it, but Alexis didn’t seem like the type to say things out of spite.

            “What do you mean?” Elena asked, bracing for the answer.

            Alexis’s eyes pinched at the corners. “He sort of dropped off the face of the Earth after the wedding. After . . . well, you know.”

            Elena swallowed against a sudden bitterness. Alexis immediately reached over and rested her hand on Elena’s arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

            “It’s okay. What do you mean that he dropped off the face of the Earth?”

            “He really withdrew from the guys. Stopped hanging out. Stopped answering calls and texts. Eventually, only Colton could ever get ahold of him.”

            Elena thought she was the only one he’d stopped communicating with. And at least that would make sense. “Why would he do that? He is so close to the guys.”

            “I don’t know,” Alexis said, squeezing Elena’s arm. “I just know that Noah and the guys are really happy to see him smiling again.”

            Elena sipped her latte and hoped the warm drink would loosen the constriction in her chest.

            “Anyway,” Alexis said in that tone of voice people used when eager to change the subject. “I cannot tell you how excited Liv and I are to taste some of your authentic Russian cuisine on Saturday. Noah is begging me to figure out how to make the pancakes you served yesterday.”

            “I can give you my recipe,” Elena smiled. “Oh, actually. You might be able to help me.”

            “How’s that?”

            “I’m looking for an international market or maybe a specialty shop that might sell tvorog. It’s—”

            “Russian farmer’s cheese,” Alexis said. “I’ve had it before.”

            “I know I could try to make it myself, but it’s one thing I have never mastered. Do you know of anyplace around here?”

            Alexis bit her lip. “Well, maybe.”

            “Really? Where? I’ve tried everywhere I can think of.”

            Alexis looked around as if making sure no one could hear them. Then she leaned forward. “I don’t know if I should tell you or not.”

            “Um, why?”

            “Vlad might not like it.”

            “I don’t understand.”