Page 38 of Raising His Baby (The Sartoris 2)

“Especially after that thing at the office. I’m going to be honest with you, when I ran into some trouble I was a basket case until Ezio rescued me. You’re different. Tiny as you are, you can handle whatever comes at you. I bet if that man did have a gun you would get it off him and having him crying on the floor.”

Sonya sighed and slipped back into her comfortable position. “That’s not true. Yes, I have a big mouth and I won’t let anyone come at me without defending myself, but it’s not like I’ve been in a lot of fights in my life. I’m strong physically because of sports, and that’s all. I’d probably need rescuing too in a situation like you’re talking about, but I’d wait for help with my teeth sunk into the bad guy and these steel thighs crushing his ribs.”

Shakarri’s eyes watered from laughing so hard. “I bet you would, and I almost wish I could see that. Anyway, what you did for Romy showed me something.”

Sonya stiffened. “What?”

“That you love him.”

“I don’t—” She clipped her words, figuring a quick denial might make her sound like she was lying. Right after that incident, she had come to the same conclusion. Sweet Romy, so good and such a great dad right off the bat. He did everything he could to help her out whenever he was home. There was no sense denying what she felt about him, even if she had already concluded she wouldn’t tell him to his face. “Even if I do, it doesn’t matter.”

Shakarri gasped. “I didn’t expect you to admit it. Why won’t you tell him?”

“Come on, Sha.” Sonya had heard Ezio’s daughter call Shakarri Aunt Sha, but everyone else said her whole name. Except the jerk Cason. “You know the circumstances which brought me here. There’s no way he’ll ever believe I love him. He asked me—”

“He asked you what?”

Pain tightened Sonya’s chest. “Later on, after all the drama the other day, Romy asked me if I jumped that man knowing he was a reporter. I knew what he was getting at, and I walked off before I jumped him—and not in a good way. See what I mean? I can’t get past the wall he has up. Plus, there’s some stuff between us. He’s been dating. I’m just not going to tell him, so please, just drop it.”

“He hasn’t been dating anyone.”

Sonya blinked at her. “What?”

“This family is nosy as all get out. Trust me. Don’t have anything going on in your life you want to keep them out of. They’ll know before you do how you feel about whatever it is you’re doing.”

“Like you know how I feel about Romy?” Sonya tried to suppress the sarcasm but failed.

Shakarri snorted. “Yeah like that. I’m not mad at you. Anyway, when Romy started staying out all late, Ezio and Cason were wondering what he was up to because he didn’t say anything. It was a matter of time for Ezio to ask him straight out what was going on, but Cason is sneakier. He told me he followed Romy one night, and all Romy was doing was having a drink and seeing a movie—alone.”

Sonya hoped the relief she felt didn’t show on her face. “Couldn’t he have just asked Jody?”

“Try getting Jody to roll over any information on Romy. They pay them good for loyalty. After getting to know you better, I’m sure you’re the one for Romy. He needs a strong devoted woman like you. He’s strong in a way, but he’s sweeter than anyone. A woman with a big heart who’s in to him, that’s what he’s been searching for all this time.”

Sonya hesitated.

“Think about it. You’ve got nothing to lose if you tell him how you feel.”

“Except us living together and feeling awkward if he turns me down.”

“You’re bolder than that.” She stood and walked to the door then paused. “I’m behind you all the way, and that’s what matters.”

Sonya smirked. “You mean Ezio?”

Shakarri snapped her fingers. “Girl, I’ll have him calling you sis before the end of the week. Trust and believe.”

They both laughed as Shakarri headed out the door.

Sonya couldn’t sleep. How many nights had it been now that she had trouble? She couldn’t recall. If only Shakarri hadn’t brought up that stuff about Romy and got her to confess how she felt about him. Now all her mind wanted to do was dwell on Romy and think about what life would be like if the three of them were a real family. What if she did marry him? Would she truly be the perfect woman for Romy?

No matter how hard she tried to tell herself it didn’t matter because it would never happen, she kept fantasizing about the possibility.

“A sedative,” she grumbled as she climbed out of bed. Aunt Livia had said she had trouble sleeping, and her doctor described sleeping meds like Pez. She’d offered Sonya one, and Sonya turned her down. She wished she had said yes and had it at her bedside table at lest. She checked on Arron who was sound asleep and left her room. Aunt Livia had said she would leave the bottle on the dresser should Sonya change her mind. She tiptoed down the hall in the opposite direction of Romy’s room. When she reached the balcony overlooking the first floor, she stopped. Someone was downstairs.

Squinting into the shadows, she made out Jody, who she realized had come to attention when he spotted her. Goosebumps rose on her arms as Jody watched her silently from the shadows. She checked herself over. Her nightgown was thick enough not be seen through even though her feet were bare.

“Is everything okay, Ms. Sonya?” came Jody’s deep voice.

“I’m fine. Thanks, Jody. If you’re there then Romy’s in?”

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