“You are a nosy woman, Renata De Massy,” the aunt gripes back with a grin on her face.
“You know I love a good slice of gossip.” She winks at me.
“Ladies, I could fuel an author’s entire year’s schedule with all of the stories you are telling me,” I inform them, and they giggle.
I think we are drinking way too many cocktails but what the hell, right? You only live once, and I will probably not come back to Hawaii or spend time with these ladies again once we go home.
“As I was saying before you ladies interrupted me,” Romeo’s aunt huffs sarcastically. “She walked in on the bingo caller, who is in his fifties by the way, and a young girl, who was said to look at least eighteen. Apparently, her father went to his house with a shotgun, but her brother stepped in and beat the guy up.”
“I am all for an age gap, but that is a bit too much for me.” I nod, agreeing with her because her son is older than me by twelve years.
“You are telling me. I would hate it if one of my girls came home with a man almost as old as I am,” one auntie admits.
“I love an age gap, obviously.” I shrug, and they all smile at me warmly, believing that what I have with Romeo is real.
God, I am going to be struck down when they find out.
“Reading romance books as much as I do opens your eyes to what people love or hate. There are some tropes that I hate reading but find no issues with them in real life. I hate cheating, and I would never forgive my partner for cheating.” I stop myself from bringing up my divorce. “But I do not mind reading it in a book because I like to see the man grovel.
“Every reader has their own take on things, especially cheating. Some see cheating as a man just talking to another woman, or sending texts. A customer of mine believes that in a book and real life that if a man is actively pursuing a woman, he should not be sleeping with other women. Yet, in fact, they are not even dating yet, but see, everyone sees things differently. I know people who will ban an author who puts cheating in their books.”
They all look at me saying nothing, while my words sink in. Renata smiles at me adding a little dip to her head, letting me know that I am all good, that I am fitting in with the family.
My stomach knots and my chest suddenly feels tight.
“I will be right back; I need the restroom.”
I do not wait for a reply, but make my exit, praying that I do not have a mishap in front of the whole family. Thankfully, I make it to the restroom without incident, and do my business.
Washing my hands, I stare at myself in the mirror, and I see a woman who is happy looking back at me. My eyes are bright, and yes, the alcohol has helped with that, but I do look happy.
Taking a deep breath, I leave the restroom and aim my steps toward Romeo, who is sitting with Asher.
Stepping through the double door that is wide open, I hit the top step, and I freeze hearing Romeo speak words that are like a dagger to the heart.
“It is all about the money and power with her. She hides it well, but I see it. Sometimes feelings get in the way, but I know that women like her are all after one thing at the end of the day. Being here with her here has caused a mixture of emotions, but fuck, I need to keep a clear head and not get mixed up in her mess.”
Tears fill my eyes, and my chest feels like it is caving in, crushing my heart.
All that he has said meant nothing. He thinks I am a gold-digging whore. He did not use those words, but he implied it.
“I hear you. Best way is to stay single, Rome.”
“I hear you, man,” is Romeo’s reply.
So, it is all a fucking game to him. He feels nothing for me.
Stepping back, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me broken, I rush back to the restroom and clean up my face, making sure that I touch up my makeup so everyone is none the wiser to my pain.
Once I am satisfied, I make my way back to Renata, and I can see that she senses that something is wrong. Gone is the bright and cheerful Nell, and in her place is a heartbroken Nell, who wants to run and hide for the remainder of the week, but I know I cannot.
I have to put on a brave face and pretend to be Romeo De Massy’s girlfriend, because that is all I am. A pretend girlfriend, here returning a favor to him.
Then when I go back home, I will forget that he ever existed.
“Ladies, I believe we talked earlier about shots. Who is ready to drink some sex on the beach and get some blowjobs down us?”
The women whoop and clap, showing their readiness and excitement.
