Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“You’ll never have to find out. Now, tell me about Rome.”
“I really like him, Roe. He’s so sweet to me, and although we’ve messed around, he’s still saying we should wait to actually have sex.”
“Why?”
“He’s still worried that Forrest is going to disown me or something crazy like that. Sure, he’s probably going to be upset, but I know my brother. He’ll get over it with time.”
“I think you’re right. I do think he’ll be pissed, and even more so to find out this has been going on behind his back.”
“That’s on me. I convinced Rome to hold off to make sure he doesn’t get tired of me. We don’t know how this separation is going to work when I go back to school, and I think we just need time without outside influence.”
“I can see both sides. You have to do what you feel is best. Forrest loves you. He loves Rome. It will all work out like it’s supposed to. It might be bumpy, but you have to live for you.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself. I can’t thank you enough for covering for me. I wouldn’t be able to have this time with him without you.”
“I got you, bestie. Besides, when the two of you are happily married, you can name your firstborn after me. I’ve earned that right.” She winks.
“Have you been drinking?” I ask, blowing off the fact that the thought of marrying Roman has my heart fluttering in my chest.
“Nah, just an outsider looking in,” she says as there’s a knock at the door. She climbs from her seat and moves to answer it. “Hey, Rome. Come on in.”
“Hey, Monroe. Thank you,” he says, his tone serious. “This means a lot to both of us.”
“Who am I to stand in the way of true love?” she replies, and I bite my cheek to keep from scolding her.
Their footsteps grow closer. “Hey, baby girl. You ready to go?”
“Yes. We were just catching up.” I walk toward my best friend and hug her tightly. “I love you. Thank you for being the amazing human that you are.”
“I love you too.” Monroe smiles at both of us. “Now, you two kids have fun.”
With that, Roman laces his fingers through mine and leads me outside. We stop at my car to get my overnight bag, and then we’re on the road.
“Where are we going?” I ask, when he passes the turn that will take us to his place.
His hand is resting on my thigh, and he gives it a soft squeeze. “I’m taking you on a date.”
“A date?”
“Yeah, this is more than just keeping you naked in my bed, baby girl.”
“We can’t be seen out together.”
“I know. Trust me.”
“Do I get a hint?”
“No, baby. No hints. Just sit there and look like your sexy self. We’ll be there soon.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling down an old country road. “What is this place?”
“It’s the backside of my grandparents' place.”
“So, we’re not going to be arrested for trespassing?”
He laughs. “No, baby girl. We’re not going to be arrested.”
“Hey, it was a legitimate question. What are we doing here?” I doubt he’ll tell me, but it’s worth a shot.
“I know we can’t be seen out together, but I wanted to take you out anyway. I know you’re leaving in a few days, and I don’t know, Em. I guess I wanted you to have this memory to take with you. The distance is going to be tough. We’re hiding this, which I hate, but I didn’t want you leaving thinking that you’re just a secret to me. I need you to understand that I know what I’m risking. I know the risk that you’re taking to be with me, and I guess I just wanted us to do something a normal couple might do.”
“Roman Bailey, are you a closet romantic?” I tease, to ease the seriousness of the conversation. I have to because when you have a man like Roman spilling his heart out to you, you either lighten the mood or cry, and I can already feel hot tears prick my eyes.
“I wouldn’t go that far. Besides, I’ve never cared enough until now, so it’s not that I’m a closet romantic. I’m an Emerson romantic.” He flashes me a cheesy grin. “It’s all you, baby girl.” He taps his chest, right over his heart. “I feel you here, and I don’t know what to do with that. I hate that you’re leaving when we’re just starting to figure us out, and I want you to know that I’m in this with you. There is no one else for me, and there won’t be as long as we’re….” His voice trails off.
“What are we, Roman?”
“We’re just us, Em. I don’t want to label it and add pressure when we’re both already under enough for hiding this from our friends and family. We can’t hide this forever, but you need to concentrate on school and graduation.”