Page 100 of Only for the Week
“I want you to let me make you come right here.”
My eyebrows pique and my thighs clench. “It’s broad daylight. We could get caught.” I swallow a deep breath at the idea of being caught with Rome between my legs. It’s exhilarating.
“We might. I’m willing to take the risk. Are you?” He bites my earlobe, soothing it with his tongue after.
There he goes, leaping again. I pull on my parachute and follow him over the edge. “Don’t keep me waiting, Rome.”
Chapter Six
Janelle
Six months after the proposal
Ishould know this by now, considering my last experience, but planning a wedding is exhausting. Rome and I are now discussing plans after taking six months basking in the newly engaged glow, and I’m already tired.
We know we don’t want a destination wedding. We’ll be on a month-long honeymoon, so we’ll save our travel for the two of us. We’re considering a few local venues, but we first need to decide if we’re getting married in the spring or fall.
Rome is researching places on his laptop while I’m reading through a planning checklist I found on Pinterest. I’m finding it hard to focus because one element of this whole thing is plaguing my mind. I put my tablet down and turn to Rome. “Can I ask you a question?”
He moves his laptop to the side and leans forward, pinning me with his intense stare. “Of course.”
“Are you gonna ask Arnold to be a groomsman?” I know Jalen will be his best man, and I’m sure Micah and Christian will be groomsmen, but I’m curious about Arnold.
He scratches his beard. “I hadn’t really thought about it. Honestly? I don’t think so. When you’re getting married, you want people you trust with your life up there with you. There’s an element of that that Arnold and I lost.”
I thought things had returned to normal for the two of them, but a couple of months ago, he confessed to me that their dynamic had changed. Though they still hang out, they don’t talk anymore. They keep their conversations surface-level or focus entirely on whatever activity they’re doing. They don’t share anything about their relationships: Arnold because I think he knows Rome doesn’t particularly care for Ri, and Rome because he knows I want as much of my life as possible to be kept away from Ri. Not feeling comfortable talking to someone about a considerable part of your life, like a significant other, tends to dampen a friendship.
I hate that that’s where they are, but I understand it and know it’s not my fault.
“Gotcha,” I say, biting my lip.
“Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“So, Evie is gonna be my maid of honor. I’m set on that. Dani will be a bridesmaid. But, I don’t know if I want Ri to be in the wedding.”
“Okay. So she won’t be then.”
It should be that simple. I went to Ri’s wedding after everything she put me through because I didn’t want to regret not going if we made up. We’ve progressed, but I thought we’d be much further by now. It’s been over a damn year. So, if I don’t ask my sister to be a part of my wedding, will I regret that, too?
“Right. But isn’t that wrong?”
He reaches for my hand, intertwining it with his and kissing the top. “If it gives you peace of mind, it’s not. Is having her in the wedding party going to make you happy?”
“No.” My answer is instant and firm.
“Then why are you considering it?”
I open my mouth to respond and then shut it quickly. I don’t have a response for that. Why am I considering asking her when I know I don’t want to?
My therapist will have a field day when I talk to her this week. “Okay, you got me there. I relapsed for a moment there, but I’m back.” I like to say that I’m a recovering people pleaser. I’ll always struggle with it because it’s like an addiction. I’ve backslid into old habits a few times in the last year, but I’m proud to say the slipups are few and far between now.
“Are you sure? We can talk it through more if you’re still not sure.” His eyes search mine, those onyx orbs seeing right into my soul.
“No, I’m good. I’d regret it more if I allowed her to be a part of our day, and she ruined it.”
“Nah, I’d borrow Claudette from my mom before I let her ruin that for you.”
I feel slightly guilty that the image of Rome tasing my sister makes me laugh so hard. The guilt lasts a few seconds longer before I give in to more tears of laughter.
