Page 98 of Rome: The Ballerina

When I pulled the cover from over my head, remembering that I wasn’t alone, I was met with seven sets of eyes. I melted against my seat as Roulette extended her hand.

Hesitantly, I accepted the champagne she was offering me. I had no intentions of finishing it, but the liquid courage felt necessary to tell them what had my heart pumping three hundred beats per minute, yet I was still alive.

I placed the champagne to my lips and took a small sip. My face contorted as it went down my throat. Range reached in, grabbing the cup from me.

“Can’t let this go to waste, baby,” she said before sipping from the glass herself. “Now– talk.”

“Cause I’m trying to see… If this nigga is 6’8 then I know that dick 5’2 at least,” Roulette blurted. “At least.”

“Well, for the sake of her uterus, I hope not,” Roaman countered.

“Right, because if he fucks over her reproductive system then I’m going to make sure he doesn’t have a chance to reproduce with anybody moving forward,” Rugger warned.

“Please don’t let Roulette hype you up, Rugs,” Rather pleaded with Rugger.

“Because, we all know she has the ability to,” Egypt sighed.

“Ro, tune them out. Talk to us.”

“So, about Saint.” I swallowed.

There was so much to say. So many things to tell. And, there was no better group to tell exactly what was on my heart.

“Umm hmm– We’re listening,” Roulette added.

“He’s titillating. He’s alluring. He’s thoughtful. He’s intentional. He’s everything my dreams revealed he was, but so much better.”

“And his fiancé?” Royce questioned.

“Their engagement ended.”

“When?”

“About two weeks ago.”

“And you think that’s enough time for him to get over her?” Roaman inquired.

“Getting over someone you were never truly under doesn’t take months, Roaman. Less known weeks. The two were hardly romantically involved. They’d made a pact to marry if they were both single by the time they turned twenty-five.

“Saint has had his life’s plan figured out since he was a kid. He knows exactly what he wants. Has for a very long time and I can’t help but feel like his sureness has everything to do with me.While I needed to rest to witness our union, he was wide awake.Daydreaming.

“He tried to make that dream come true with another woman and it didn’t work. It wasn’t going to work. Whether he’d found me at the theater that night or not. Kindred souls. It’s been proven. Aliza was a placeholder. A bandaid. An effort to sooth his craving. But, there’s no substitute for real love. True love. Destined love. Lifetimes of love. There just isn’t.”

“Well, let me know if she can’t quite handle the breakup. I’m a plane ride away.” With upturned lips, Rugger shrugged.

“Besides, I can feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“Him– he’s for me. Without question, Saint is all for me. I’m his destination. Always have been. The moment he realized it, nothing else mattered. No one else mattered. I guess– I guess he could feel me, too.”

“Alright, now that she’s spilled the beans, can we leave her alone to rest?” Roaman was adamant.

“One more question, baby,” Roulette said, sipping from her champagne flute.

“Yes?” I yawned, partially ready for what was about to come from her mouth. She was unpredictable. The other part of me was worried.

“When you gone let him in that little hole you’ve kept buried under that bush?”

---