Am I that someone better?
He has dropped hints that he likes me, and ever since yesterday when we left the restaurant, his touches have become more frequent, and I am not going to complain about that because that man can make my body respond with a simple touch or his two favorite words for me ‘good girl.’
Damn that man.
“Things are going good,” I remember to reply. “He is so attentive with me and makes me feel beautiful,” which is not a lie.
The women make swooning noises that make me smile brightly.
“I am so glad that he found you that day, Nell. Seeing my son smile more these days is a great thing.” Renata taps my arm with her free one.
“He makes me smile too,” I reply.
“These De Massy men are hard headed, I can tell you that now, dear. There will be times where you will want to suffocate Romeo in his sleep, but then you will want to love on him the next.” One of the aunts winks at me, making me giggle.
Daniella makes a throaty noise from across the room, but I ignore her. Renata’s gaze flicks to her, but she says nothing. I see a hue of warning in her eyes set for her son’s ex.
Did they get along when she was dating Romeo? I will have to ask him when I get back to the hotel.
Romeo is out with the boys today, playing golf. Who knew that Mafia men golfed? I would have thought that they spent their time sipping whiskey, smoking cigars around a table, plotting a mass takeover and murder.
“There has been a time or two when I have wanted to cut Bruno’s balls off.”
“Oh, sister, preach.” I giggle and snort, making the women laugh harder.
The mimosas are getting to me; I am on my second one but so are the other women. I even saw one of the cousins slip her mother a flask that I have no doubt had some good liquor in it.
All the women here are pushy, nosy Italian woman, but they are a hoot and fun to be around. Romeo was right when he told me that I would have fun today, that also his mom would not let anything happen to me.
“Darling, this wedding has been so stressful, for all of us, so for my sake and your father’s, make this marriage work, yes?” The bride Mia gasps, a smile on her face.
“Of course, Mother.” Her mom nods to her, then sips from her drink, holding her hand out for a refill.
I am from a small family. Both sets of grandparents are no longer with us, and I have a few aunts and uncles on both sides of the family but not many. So, seeing these women bond is heartwarming to watch. They interact with all the trust and loyalty a family should have.
“How much is he paying you?”
A few gasps go up around the room, and my nail tech freezes before looking up at me, shock and unease clear on her face.
“Daniella, do not start.” Renata comes to my defense but it is not needed.
I have dealt with bully girls like her most of my life— a lot while I was married to Keith. Lord knows why women flock to that piece of shit. Her type scares the crap out of me because they can be so fucking unpredictable and go overboard with their bullying; believe me, I have seen it in both high school and college.
Resting my hand on top of Renata’s arm, I look at Daniella and smile sweetly.
“Romeo is not paying me anything. Yes, he paid for my flight here to be with him as his date for the wedding.”
“So, he has paid for you to be here to pretend to be his date?” she snaps.
“At what point did say I that he was paying me to be his date? You need to stop drinking, Danika, because you are hearing things that are simply not there.”
“My name is Daniella and you know it,” she snaps. “Romeo will get bored of you, and he will come running back to me when he is done. He knows that I belong in this world, unlike you. Then you can go back to that pathetic little store that you own with Mommy and Daddy,” she snipes with a smug grin on her face.
Little does he know that I am fucking proud to be close to my parents and run a business with them. I also know that Romeo and his parents, plus the De Massy family, value hard work and success.
“In the case of Romeo, maybe. We are new, after all. There is no telling what tomorrow or next week will bring.” I lower my voice so she hears this part good and clear. “As for my business and my family, they are not your concern. But I am proud to work with my parents; we are a close family, and that is something that is important to me. Family, not money or lavish items. Family.”
She huffs, glaring at me.
