“So why not date her for real when we get back? It seems that my warning about you hurting her may not be needed.” He shrugs like there is nothing to his statement.
I stay quiet and think over what he said, and Asher lets me think. He knows that I get into my head when I need to think and sometimes I am quiet for a while trying to work through everything.
A group of kids comes running at the pool, jumping in, and I turn to see them, smiling at how carefree they are.
“Before I forget, I heard Daniella tell Mia that she plans on breaking you and Nell up before the wedding. This is fucked up, man. I do not understand why she will not just let you go; she is the one who cheated.”
“Daniella needs people to want and desire her, for some reason. I think it stems from her daddy issues. Last I heard, she was fucking that NBA star.”
“Brother, she goes through men like a kid goes through diapers.”
I chuckle because he is not wrong. Daniella is known for sleeping with men for status, so it still surprises me that she is still hounding me after all these years. I am no one compared to some of the men she has publicly dated.
“True. She really fucking hurt Nell yesterday with the shit that she said. Uncle Mario said that he would deal with it. Telling Nell that she is whoring herself out to be here with me.”
“What the hell? She needs to be put in her place before she runs Nell off and now this new threat. Fuck knows what she will do next, Rome.”
I smile hearing him shorten my name, after Nell did it yesterday, and she was embarrassed about it, since she thought she has to have my permission to do so.
“Why the goofy look on your face?”
“Nell called me ‘Rome’ yesterday, and she was embarrassed because she thought she had to ask my permission to do so. It was cute as fuck.”
He laughs loudly. “Damn, brother, you are fucking gone for this girl.”
“Honestly, Ash, I am not fucking sure what the hell is going on in my head. One second, I can see something with her, then in a flash, I can’t help but think I am dragging her into a world that could hurt her. Owning clubs, women throw themselves at me, and men threaten to take my business— you know how it has been. Do I want her in that life?”
“Nell is sweet and innocent but, man, I have seen a feisty side to her. I think she will handle your life just right,” he says. “Plus, I will be there right at your side to protect her, you know this.” His voice turns serious and I dip my chin at him.
“Appreciate it, brother.”
His gaze flickers over my shoulder and he straightens before looking back at me.
“Incoming.”
“Romeo.” I hear my ex calling me.
“What can I do for you, Daniella?” I sigh.
Stepping closer to me, I inch back, not wanting her to touch me. She winces, and I see sorrow in her eyes, but I know how good of an actress Daniella can be.
“I wanted to say that I am sorry for what I did to us.” Her voice is a little high-pitched, showing her lie. “It was all a mistake, and I have regretted it ever since. With the both of us being here, I thought maybe we could go for a drink or to get something to eat.”
My eyes widen at her words, then she moves to lean her arm on the bar, forcing me to give Asher my back. Her hand reaches out, touching my chest and I move again, but she follows me.
“I know that you and that girl are nothing special; what we had was, and I know that I messed that up, but, Romeo, I want us to try again.” There is a touch of haughty in her tone.
Her words piss me off, and I straighten to my full height, towering over her. She looks at me with wide eyes, fear flashing in them even though she knows that I would never lay a hand on a woman in anger.
“You do not get to say anything about Nell; she is not your concern. She is mine. You threw us away, and that is something that I cannot forgive or forget, and frankly I never want to. I see the type of woman that you are, Daniella, and I never want that in my life. Nell is something more, different, and she is fucking perfect for me.”
“I was perfect for you once.” Her voice is quieter, but I hear the undertone of spitefulness.
“No, Daniella, you were there and I was blinded.”
Her mouth pops open, her eyes widening in shock that I told her that she was not perfect for me. She hates people not wanting her.
“You are lying,” she scoffs, straightening her spine and showing her bravado once again.
