Page 73 of The Sounds of Her

“I have eclectic tastes.” She sets the menu down.

We’re quiet until the drinks arrive. The server places a small bowl of glazed cherries on the table between us, her hands shaking. It’s obvious she is trying to be professional, and I appreciate she has left me alone, it doesn’t always happen.

“I’m not sure how you all handle it.” Brooke breaks the silence.

“What?”

“Never being able to go where you want, when you want, worrying about people approaching you all the time. The way you’ve angled yourself in, so your face isn’t obvious.”

I didn’t realise she had caught that. I’m always aware of my surroundings, but it’s like my body has adapted to ensure I protect myself. It’s safe in here, DiMarco is outside. We may not see him, but he will have one eye on us.

“Everything is different, seeing it up close. Last week you were all relaxed, being yourselves.”

“Are you worried?”

“About me, no?”

“So you’re worried about me then?” I ask with an amused smile.

“Get over yourself,” she rolls her eyes. “All I’m saying is, it must be hard, not knowing who you can trust, never knowing when someone is going to approach you and if they’re an asshole or not. How often does it happen, the thing in the club?”

“I would have handled that if I hadn’t seen you coming to protect me.”

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“Nope,” I laugh and take a long drink of my beer. “There’ve been some pictures.”

“I saw. I got a text while we were on our way to the restaurant.”

The tone of her voice has my hackles rising. The more time I spend with her, the more pissed I get at her parents. I’m not sure why she hasn’t dealt with it head on. Brooke is running from this, whether or not she wants to admit it.

“Your mom?”

“Roman.”

That prick. I had Stone look into him. She might not be mine, but I hate the idea of him believing he has any kind of hold over her. His family is rich, even if he is going to lose his inheritance over this shit with Brooke. They have nowhere near as much as I do, but I’ve never been one to brag about or throw my money around.

He has a reputation for having models and actresses on his arm when he’s out, and he’s out a lot. The fact he told Brooke he would still sleep around once they’re married boils my piss.

“What’s that look?” Brooke asks.

“I hate that guy. What did he want?”

Brooke sips her cocktail before setting it back on the table. “He saw the pictures. He wants to know what is going on.”

“Hope you told him it’s none of his fucking business.”

“I told him the story we came up with. He wants to know why I didn’t tell him the night of the gala, like he has any say in what I divulge to a stranger.” Brooke emphasises that point. Then she goes on. “He’s mad, says I’m making a fool of him.”

“No one knows about this non-existent bullshit with him. He needs to back the fuck off.” Then another thought pops into my head. “Did he talk shit about me?”

From the way her lips pinch, and her eyes hold mine, it’s obvious she doesn’t want me to know what he said. Not that I give a shit. I’ve got no time for smarmy, arrogant pricks who think they can treat women however the hell they want and get away with it. Nor do I care what he says about me.

I take a cherry from the small bowl and pop it in my mouth. The burst of flavour makes me close my eyes. Brooke is watching my mouth as I chew the small fruit and I smirk.

“Forget about all the shit back in New York and enjoy your time here,” I tell her, leaning back.

“It’s not that easy to push it out of my head.”

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