Page 37 of Rating the Book Boyfriend

Every male member of our party chokes on their own fucking tongues, and Libby sits back with a huge grin on her face as we try to recover.

When he’s able to speak again, Salazar croaks out, “Oh, our hero, Peen, would definitely be the victor in that kind of contest.”

“Or maybe Likky likes an antihero,” she tosses out. “The one who treats her like a queen in the streets and a slut between the sheets.”

I need another fucking drink. Now.

Mills and Salazar are openly gaping at her while I’m frantically waving my arm for the server. I’ve never met a woman who’s so cool about sex talk with three guys. Maybe it’s her profession that makes her so nonchalant.

I see the server nod and hold up one finger as Libby announces, “I’m running to the restroom.”

“You want me to order you a drink?” I ask, and she smiles.

“I’ve had a few, so maybe I’ll just get a coffee.”

“Macchiato with one cream and two-and-a-half sugars?” I ask.

She looks surprised and… pleased, which makes me feel pretty fucking pleased myself. “Yes please.”

As soon as she’s out of earshot, Salazar practically launches himself across the table until he’s only a few inches from my face. “Oh my fucking god, Romero. I think I’m in love.”

I give him a playful shove that’s more forceful than I intend. “Sit down, you fuckwit. You just met her.”

Bouncing back in his seat, his eyes go dreamy. “They say when you know, you know. And I know she’s going to be the first Mrs. Salazar.”

“The first?” Mills snorts. “How many wives do you plan to have?”

“Well, my dad is on his fifth, but he probably has his eye on Miss Number Six as we speak.”

The waitress drops by, and we order drinks and a bunch of appetizers before Ty starts in on Penn again.

“Are you blind, Salazar?”

He waves a hand in front of his face and frowns. “No, I think I’m good.”

Mills reaches across the table and smacks him on the side of the head. “I’m talking about the obvious. Romero likes Libby.”

“No I don’t,” I insist, as Penn’s eyes snap to mine. Then a myriad of expressions crosses his face, from confusion to realization. “I don’t like her,” I drive home.

He wags a finger at me. “Yes you do. Why the hell didn’t I notice?”

“Because you were too busy sticking your head up Libby’s ass,” I retort.

“Jealousy. Yep, he definitely likes her,” Ty says with a chuckle before turning to face me. “Why don’t you ask her out?”

“I have a girlfriend.” Even I can hear the regretful tone in my voice.

“Dude, your nana would not want you to stay with someone you have no chance of ever falling in love with.”

I avert my eyes. “You didn’t see the look on her face the first time I told her I was dating Lucinda. Nana and Lucinda’s grandmother were best friends, and she told me they had always dreamed that their grandchildren would one day get together. Plus, Lucinda’s father runs my fucking company.”

My two friends look at each other, and I can see the pity in their eyes. They’re the only ones I can really be honest with about my relationship. I don’t even tell Silvia everything.

“Riggs,” Penn says, sounding uncharacteristically serious, “your nana and papa were the perfect love story. She would want nothing less for you. Just explain it to her.”

“But she’s so happy, and her health has improved drastically over the past year. I can’t… I can’t risk disappointing her and seeing her health decline.”

I rub a hand over my heart to try and quell the ache that’s formed there at the thought of losing Nana Viv, especially if I contribute to that by upsetting her.

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