Page 64 of Devious
I shake my head, rolling my eyes. “Do what I say.”
She does what I say, and then I have her step on the balcony as I guide her to the table. I want her to enjoy herself before we get back home. It’ll be a while before I’ll be able to take her out since I don’t know Cashel’s next move. As far as I know, Aiden is still looking for Maya, and I can’t wait for him to record her so we can send it to one of Cashel’s minions to gloat.
I guide her to the chair, ushering her to sit down. Her mouth hangs open at the view of the lit city. The sky is dark, but the city is alive and vibrant, something straight out of a Sarah J. Maas novel. Sometimes, I’ll pick up a young adult fantasy when I’m tired of reading a thriller. Don’t judge me.
Her eyes turn to the lit candles, and her face is colored with shock.
“Oh my God, the city is so beautiful. You did this all for me?”
“You told me the men you were engaged to didn’t try to date you, so I want to court you. Show you the finer things in life. You deserve it.”
Tears wet her eyes, and her smile is as wide as the ocean. “Thank you.”
I wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“You’re unpredictable,” she tells me, her eyes glancing down at the steak and vegetables the chef made. “You’re confusing me.”
The short white dress she’s wearing hugs her small frame, and a white flower is tucked behind her ear. She really is beautiful. I unfold her napkin, placing it on her lap, then cut up her steak in tiny pieces.
“Meaning?”
“You’re making me feel like I’m on top of the world and that you care about me.”
“I do care about you, Roselyn.”
She nods, but I can tell her mind is reeling with thoughts.
We eat in silence and sip our wine. She twirls her hair around her finger, and it’s her tell she’s thinking hard and long about something.
“What are you thinking about?”
She grabs the crystal glass, tapping her nails on it. “It’s stupid.”
“Tell me.”
She takes deep breaths. “Did you and Shelby do things like this? Did you take to her different places?”
I haven’t thought about Shelby in a few months, not since I found out Santo wasn’t mine, and I haven’t been to her grave to put fresh flowers on there. She wasn’t good to me, but you can’t help who you love even when they are toxic. Roselyn shouldn’t have brought her up when this moment is supposed to be all about her. “Are you jealous I was with someone else before you?”
“God no. You’re fifteen years older than me. I knew you had a life before me. I’m just curious.”
“No, we didn’t. Our love was toxic and she caused me a lot of heartache.”
“We don’t have to speak about it if it makes you uncomfortable.” She sips the last bit of her wine, and I grab the bottle and pour her another glass. “Okay, did you ever go to college?”
“I did. I graduated from North Haven University. I have a bachelor’s in literature and history. Have you ever thought about going to college yourself?”
Her cheeks turn red. “Oh, hell no. I’m not smart like you. I never was book smart. I barely graduated high school. My GPA was a 2.5.”
“You can do whatever you want to. You’re smart. Grades don’t make you smart either. It’s better to have street smarts than book smarts.”
I cut into my own juicy steak, smearing sauce on it, then shove the bite in my mouth.
“Have you ever wanted kids? Or are you doing it because you need an heir to carry on your legacy?”
Should I tell her about Santo? Should I tell her I wanted him and I found out later on he wasn’t mine?
I stare at her as her hair blows over her face. I rub my hands together. “No, not after Santo,” I say between bites.
