An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 45 - It's All Right

The music was flowing, but so were the drinks. Specifically, vodka. James laughed as Jenna became more and more Russian the longer she was around her family.

He was shocked to see Layla having a Russian conversation with one of Jenna's aunts. She apparently knew more than he was aware of and it pleased him. He loved seeing how Jenna's family embraced Layla as truly one of their own.

Jenna was currently taking shots with her cousins Matvei and Mikhail and James knew he was going to be in for a long night.

"Don't look so stressed. She's only a problem when she drinks darks and Vodka is like water to all Russians. It's a scientific fact." Jade said with a chuckle beside him. "I bet you wish you were drinking right now." Jade shook her head no.

"Drinking with the Melnik's is a sure-fire way to some very bad decisions." James gave her a look. "Worse than marrying a complete stranger?" Jade chuckled but nodded. "I learned the hard way in college that Vodka and two Melniks was nothing but trouble." James chuckled.

"I decided in a drunken stupor to walk to Shipley's Donuts at 3 am in nothing but a bathing suit, some Uggs and a panda hat in the beginning of February. I had a cold for two weeks after that foolishness." James laughed heartily at her story.

"I'm just happy my best friend has found love and happiness. I'm happy my brother-in-law has found the same. The fact that it's with one another and at my hand is just the gift that keeps on giving."

James laughed at her modesty. "You're so humble, Jade." She smiled at him before noticing Matvei in the corner with a stunning dark skinned woman. "Excuse me." James nodded as he watched her make her way to the large man.

He found Jason talking with Jenna's aunts and Layla and thanked God for the distraction. Jason had been drinking. Jason was a jealous man sober. He was a jealous fool drunk.

Matvei looked like he ate men like Jason for breakfast and Jason wasn't some small or average sized dude. James would do his part to avoid an altercation on his wedding day.

"Why the long face, Matvei?" The brooding man looked down at the Black woman he used to have a crush on when they were young and gave a small smirk.

Jade was always so kind to him. He didn't deserve it. "Just thinking." Jade gasped before wiggling her eyebrows. "Is this about a girl? Let me find out Matvei has decided to settle down and not use women like tissue paper."

"He wouldn't know how to settle down if his life depended on it." Jade smiled at the Black woman beside them. "Hi, I'm Jade." She nodded her head. "Jenna's told me all about you. I'm Winter. Winter Samuels. I'm Matvei and Mikhail's long-time executive assistant."

Jade nodded her head happily. "You're Winter! Oh my goodness! Your candles are amazing. Jenna gave me a bunch for Christmas." Winter smiled at her. "Thank you. It's just a side hustle that makes a good bit on Etsy when I have time and I'm not too busy fixing this fool's mistake or listening to his issues with love."

Matvei laughed dryly. "I'm not in love." Winter hummed a response as Jade leaned in for potential tea. "If you're not in love then what is it? What is it about her that's got you so messed up?" Matvei let out a huff and glared at Winter. She always had the ability to read him and he hated it.

"Alyssa just...she aggravates me." Jade smiled at him. "You say aggravate and all I hear is entice." Matvei groaned at Jade's words as Winter laughed loudly. "I'm serious, you two. Nothing gets to me. Nothing gets under my skin and yet she boroughs deeper and deeper each day. That's why I was so thankful to get away for the weekend. I need space from her."

"She gets to you and it sounds like in a great way. What's the problem? Is she ugly?" Winter snorted before Matvei showed her a picture. "Okay, Matvei. I see you liking that dark chocolate." Winter laughed heartily knowing she was going to like Jade.