Page 139 of Chemistry: The Chemist

Her monthly allowance kept her afloat. Yet, Rugger spent the most time convincing Eden of how special Rome’s talents were and how much more intrigued she was with her in comparison to everyone who needed an education to seek their dreams.

“So, Eden.” Range’s curiousness saved Choc from Rugger’s rare spill.

“Yes. Range, isn’t it?”

“See, you’re learning fast.”

“Trying to keep up here,” Eden disclosed.

“Range. Roulette. Rather. Rugger. Rome. Royce. Roaman.” She pointed at everyone, giving her a final crash course.

Beside Range, Rome summoned me with a visibly pained expression. When our eyes met, a very hesitant, ingenuine smile barely came to fruition on her beautiful face. My stomach knotted. My heart fell into the soles of my shoes. I’d seen that look before. I knew exactly what it meant. The nature of it, however, I was unsure of.

“What’s the matter, baby?” I mumbled, aware she could read my lips.

She shook her head from side to side, leaving me baffled. I tilted my head in the opposite direction, suggesting she meet me in the foyer.

“I’ll be back in a minute or two.” Leaning over, I explained to Eden, “Don’t let them convince you of anything. None of them except that one over there. She’s the good one.” My finger was aimed in Roaman’s direction.

“Okay.”

“Excuse me.”

I excused myself from the table and headed toward the entryway where Rome would be meeting me. It wasn’t long before her heels were clapping against the floor. She was ravishing in the black tulle. Her hair flowed down her back and shoulders, covering almost everything her haltered dress didn’t. With open arms, I pulled her into me and kissed her forehead delicately.

“It feels like it’s been weeks since I’ve seen you.” She breathed, emotionally charged and disturbed.

The imbalance was both frustrating and disheartening. Rome’s gift cursed her sometimes. Tonight felt like one of those nights.

“What’s the matter, baby?”

Pausing, she stepped away and began pacing a small area she drew invisible bordered around.

“Rome.”

“I don’t know how to say this without– I just–”

I snapped my fingers desperate to flip the switch in her head.

One.

Twice.

Immediately, the words came tumbling out.

“It’s Eden,” she exclaimed. “Something doesn’t feel right with her.”

Taken aback by the declaration, I halted. Everything around us disappeared as I digested what was being presented to me. Rome had never steered us stray. She had my best interest at heart.

However, she’d never witnessed a platonic or romantic relationship between me and another woman. Upon hearing I was seeing someone, she fought with her own feelings, her own selfishness as it pertained to me. I raked through the hair on my face as I gazed at Rome.

“I just need to ask you one question, Rome.”

“Anything, Teddy.”

“Is she no good for me or is it your heart that’s hurting at the thought you’ll lose pieces of me that have been yours since the day you were born? Is it discernment or is it heartache, baby?”

There was a thin line between the two. I just needed to be sure.

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