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

            Her heart thudded against her rib cage so hard that she was certain he could hear it. “I understand. Of course.”

            “Good. Then I will get back to you in a few days.”

            Elena couldn’t keep the relief from her voice. “Thank you, Yevgeny.”

            “Don’t make me regret this.”

            “I won’t.”

            Elena dropped the phone on her bed and fell onto her back. The entire conversation had lasted less than fifteen minutes, but a lifetime had passed since the minute she’d dialed his number. Until now, it had been an abstract concept, but now it seemed real.

            Soon she would go back to Russia, and Vlad would finally be free to move on.

            The thought should have made her happy. Instead, she wanted to curl onto her side and bury her face into a pillow and sob like she did all those years ago. Back then, it was because she knew coming here was a mistake. Now, it was because the thought of leaving felt like one.

            Elena pressed her hands into her temples and rubbed at the beginning throbs of a headache. Neighbor Cat purred and curled up into a ball next to Elena’s hip. The idea of joining her in a long nap was almost too tempting to ignore, but the hum of a car in the driveway brought her upright with a sigh.

            She listened as the car doors opened and closed, followed a few seconds later by the front door. That should have been followed by Colton’s sarcastic tenor asking for food, but the door opened and closed again. For once, Colton hadn’t stuck around. Which meant the buffer she’d become dependent on was not going to be there when she walked downstairs.

            Elena forced herself to get out of bed. Neighbor Cat meowed in protest but followed. She stopped at the top of the stairs to find Vlad standing at the bottom. “Hi.”

            He looked up at her. “I was just coming upstairs to find you.”

            Neighbor Cat made a dash down the stairs toward her boyfriend. Elena suppressed her jealousy. “How was your appointment?”

            “Good. I can start putting weight on my leg twice a day.”

            “That’s great.”

            “I can also start bathing myself again.” He said that part with a half smile. It lifted his bearded cheek into a round ball.

            Elena descended the stairs. “I’m sure your friends will appreciate that part.”

            Vlad inched backward to make room for her when she hit the bottom step. “Where did you go this morning?” he asked.

            “I had some errands to run.”

            “For the party?”

            “Yes.” She shoved her hands in her back pockets. “Are you hungry?”

            “No. I met the guys for a late breakfast.”

            “Okay. Well, I need to get started on some of the food for tomorrow, so . . .” She waited for him to move back so she could pass, but he didn’t. Neighbor Cat wound in and out of their legs. “I think your girlfriend missed you.”

            He blinked, confused. “What?”

            “The cat.”

            “Oh.” He looked down. “Yes.”

            “You should sit. I’ll bring you some ice.”

            “I’m tired of sitting. I need to do something.”

            “Then keep me company in the kitchen while I make the vareniki.”

            He lifted one sexy eyebrow. “You making them with mushrooms, onions, and potatoes?”

            She scooted away from him. “Like I’d make them any other way.”

            “Let me help,” he said, following her into the kitchen. “I don’t have to just sit here.”

            “Careful what you wish for, or I’ll make you peel the potatoes.”

            “If that’s what you need, I’ll do it.”