All at once, my senses are on alert. There’s a prickle at the back of my neck, the unmistakable feeling of being watched. Turning around, I spot Daniella and the bride—my cousin—standing by the entrance, their attention fixed squarely on us.
“Cousin,” Mia calls to me.
I greet her warmly, as it is her wedding week after all, but I keep in mind that she can be vicious when she wants to be.
“Mia, sweetheart, how are you? Nerves kicking in yet? You still have time to run,” I joke.
She smiles widely, but I see her gaze flick to Nell at my side then back to me as she answers.
“None of that. I love him, Romeo, you know that.” Her gaze shifts to Nell at my side, a fake smile crosses her face, and I brace for what my cousin will say.
It may be her wedding week, but I will not tolerate myself, or my date, being disrespected.
“And who do we have here?”
“Mia, this is my girlfriend, Nell.”
Her eyes twitch, like she did not expect me to introduce Nell like that. Her gaze flickers over to my ex, who is standing nearby.
“Oh, I was not informed that you were bringing a plus one. I will have to tell mother of this change.”
Nell tenses at my side, and my hand on her hip flexes enough to hope she knows that I have her back.
“My mother informed your mother over a week ago, so I know that Nell was added to the guest list.”
“A week is hardly enough time to add a guest, Romeo,” Daniella snaps, and I glare at her, my stare enough to make her take a step back.
I do not reply to her at all, but look back to my cousin.
“I am taking Nell to our room so we can rest and freshen up. We will see you later.” I lean in, kissing Mia’s cheek before I lead Nell away from the two women.
I need alone time with her so we can talk and get a few things straight. Plus, I think Nell needs some time to process what has happened and what will happen.
Chapter Nine
Nell
With his hand on the small of my back, we arrive at the reception desk, and I’m still tense from interacting with Romeo’s cousin and his ex.
It’s hard to believe he dated someone like her—she seems insincere and harsh, whereas Romeo is straightforward and authentic.
“Romeo De Massy checking in,” he tells the pretty young woman behind the desk.
“Aloha. Certainly, sir.” She taps away on the keyboard as I take a moment to observe the impressive Hawaiian artwork and traditional items displayed throughout the space.
“Romeo,” is called, and we both look behind us to see an older couple walking toward us.
I take in the couple and my body coils like a rattlesnake. The gentleman is an older version of Romeo; his father. The woman at his side is on the shorter side with thick dark hair with some gray flowing through the waves; his mother.
“You will be fine, Nell. Breathe,” he reassures me.
Okay, operation ‘Deal Mode’is activated.
I square my shoulders and take a deep breath, keeping a smile on my face, hoping that I look friendly and not like a psycho killer.
“I am so happy that you arrived,” his mother greets him.
She clutches both of his cheeks, bringing him down for a kiss to the cheek, while his father watches me intently.
