I rattle my brain to think where or if I messed up but nothing is coming to mind. I need to talk to her about it, but right now we are sitting around the pool with the immediate family for a meal.
“You will tell me later what is wrong.” She looks at me, and I see defiance swirl in her eyes.
“Later.” Her nose almost touches mine as she leans in.
“Aww, they are so sweet together.” I hear my mother’s voice.
To add to her gushing over us, I press my lips to Nell’s, smiling against them before I pull back.
“Yeah, who would have thought that a guy like Romeo would stick to one chick.” This comes from Gio, another cousin of mine.
We are close in age, and we are close; I am closer to him than most in the family.
I flip the fucker off, making him laugh and Nell giggle.
“Gio, really. His girlfriend is right there. You should not be speaking about his past relationships,” one of my aunts defends me. I blow her a kiss, making her smile.
“It is okay, Auntie, the only serious relationship Gio has is with his hand.”
A mini sweetcorn is thrown at me; I catch it before it hits Nell, and she laughs, leaning into me.
“Sorry, Nell. I was aiming for that fucker’s big head.”
“Not the only thing that is big about him,” Nell replies to him with a wink.
“Fuck, she will fit right in.” Asher laughs.
Before I can reply, Daneille speaks up.
“Do you think that that is appropriate conversation at the dinner party of the bride and groom and in front of yourboyfriend’sfamily?” she snidely remarks, making Nell stiffen in her seat.
You could cut the air with a knife the tension is so fucking thick, thanks to my ex and her big mouth. If my mother or any of the women had a problem with what Nell said, they would have spoken up, but no, Daniella had to try and bring Nell down to make her feel awkward.
Nell’s back straightens before she looks to the bride and groom, then my parents.
“I am sorry if I spoke out of turn. It was not my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable.”
"You should know who Romeo's family is since you are in a relationship with him. Are you really that stupid and blind? It goes to show that you clearly have no awareness of what is around you." Daniella smirks, and I see mischief in her eyes, as she sips from her flute.
What does she know that I do not?
Gasps echo around table as my anger boils.
“That is enough. You do not get to—” A hand on my thigh stops my next words.
I look at Nell, who is smiling weakly at me, and I know that the bitch’s words have hit their mark.
“I know what I need to know about Romeo’s family. You may be privy to more than me as you have been around the family longer, and in time, maybe I will be honored with more information. However, as of now, I am new to the family so I do not expect instant trust and loyalty, just becauseI am withRomeo. That being said, Danika, you do not know me well enough to judge me, as I do not know you, and thankfully I never will.”
I snigger, leaning down to bury my face in the crook of her neck, the scent of her hair seeping into my senses.
Nell purposely used the wrong name when addressing Daniella, and I fucking love that, and I know this will piss the woman off.
“It is Daniella, not Danika. You will do good to remember that Romeo does not keep women for long, believe me. You are a passing ship.”
“Well, it is a good thing that I like riding on boats.”
Again, the room goes deadly quiet before my mother’s laughter breaks the ice, and soon everyone joins in.
