“It’s like high school all over again. The boys are afraid of you,” Jules says.
“I’m wearing pink and I’m in high heels. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
In response, Jules teasingly pokes my bicep, which is definitely more defined than it used to be. “I wish I had your powers to intimidate men.”
“Sorry about the wait, what can I do for you?” A woman is behind the bar now, wearing a black suit, her pink hair pulled up into a bun. There’s a diamond stud sparkling in her nose.
“We wanted to order some water and apps for the table,” I say.
“Absolutely, we can bring you anything you need.” She nods. “My name is Maya and I’m the manager here. If you need anything else, let me know and I can get it for you, Mrs. Maddox.”
Someone jostles into me from behind, pushing me forward, and I feel a splash of something on my bare back.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” There’s a girl behind me, a half empty glass in her hand.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Jules has a stack of napkins in her hand as she pats my back dry. “Come on, I can do more in the restroom.”
We’re moving down a dark hallway and getting into line for the restroom.
“Hey, do you think it’s weird the manager called me Mrs. Maddox? I think our server did, too.”
Jules tilts her head, her eyes shifting as she thinks about it. “Yeah, I guess it is. It’s not exactly the name you go by. I mean, you’re still legally Lavinia Callahan.”
Exactly. The only person who calls me Mrs. Maddox is Roman and only when he’s feeling particularly possessive. Even if the staff follows me on social media, it doesn’t make sense for them to call me Mrs. Maddox.
We make quick work in the restroom and Jules wipes the alcohol on my back so it’s not sticky. On our way back, I direct us back towards the bar where Maya is still serving customers.
“Why did you call me Mrs. Maddox?” I ask.
Her eyes move from me to Jules and back again, and a slow smile stretches across her face. “Your husband bought The Velvet Vixen this morning.”
My mouth drops open at her admission. What in the world? We were together the whole day, and he never once mentioned buying the damn bar.
“Wow. This man gives a new meaning to unhinged,” Jules whispers.
No shit.
“Is there somewhere I can make a call?” I ask.
“You can use my office.”
I squeeze Jules’s hand before following Maya to her office. I’m pulling my phone out and calling Roman before she even shuts the door behind her. Her office has brick walls, with a translucent glass door. There are shelves lined with folders and a filing cabinet. It smells faintly of bergamot.
“Baby, do you miss me already?” His voice fills the line, and I can’t help the shiver that chases down my back.
“Roman, did you buy The Velvet Vixen?”
There’s silence, and then I hear a quiet click, like a door shutting. There’s a mewl from one of the cats.
“I did,” he admits.
I sit down on the couch pressed against the wall. “Are you insane?”
“For you? Absolutely. I have no chill when it comes to you. I think you should be impressed with how normal I’ve been because there’s a part of me that never wants to let you out of the house. I’m so fucking obsessed I can’t stand the thought of sharing you with someone else.”
My skin warms at his confession. Do I like this? The ache between my legs tells me I clearly do. It’s one of the many reasons I fell for him. He’s so possessive, but he’ll never stop me from being me.
