“It’s not good.” Joe laughs. “Not compared to what you’ve shown us.”
A few years ago, I had to convince Joe that we even needed a website. We set up something cheap and quick so we have an online presence because these days you have to, but we have no trouble attracting customers, so it hasn’t been a priority to update it.
“Dinner’s ready!” Cassie calls from the door.
Romy shuts her computer and ignores me as we head inside to sit at the dining table. I follow behind her, irked at her indifference.
Why am I annoyed? This is what I wanted. This is why I stopped things yesterday before we went too far.
As usual, Cassie has conjured up a feast—balsamic brown sugar pork roast, mashed potatoes, and crisp roasted brussels sprouts. The conversation continues as platters and bowls are passed around, Romy happily chatting away… just not with me. My irritation grows. And I open my mouth. “How’s your throat, Romy?”
She shoots me a startled glance. “Uh, it’s fine.”
“What’s wrong with your throat?” Cassie asks immediately.
“Nothing,” Romy replies quickly.
I repress my smile. “No laryngitis?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “No,” she snaps.
Jesus, I’m like a little kid. Even her antagonism is better than disinterest.
“Did you have laryngitis?” Joe asks.
“Not really.” Romy drops her gaze to her plate. “I just had a little sore throat. It’s fine now. This pork looks delicious!”
“Good thing it’s not fish.” I try not to smirk.
Her glare could set my hair on fire.
“Don’t you like fish?” Felise asks Romy with a puzzled expression.
“I like fish,” she says tightly.
“Next time I’ll make salmon,” Cassie says cheerfully. “We all love salmon.”
“Better than goldfish,” I say. I’m trying not to laugh as Romy shoots pointy objects at me with her eyes.
Cassie gives me a look with her forehead furrowed. “Goldfish?”
“We had to evacuate our building today,” Romy says. “At work. The fire alarm went off. We didn’t know if it was a drill or if there was really a fire. It turns out someone on the seventh floor burned some toast.”
Well, that changed the subject.
In a way, I feel satisfied that I got her attention but also frustrated because I’m an idiot.
Conversation jumps around from the construction business to a customer at the Charming Chalice who came in with her emotional support snake, then on to local politics and some gossip about Ziggy Cox’s niece possibly having an affair with a state senator.
“Next weekend is Wendell’s wedding,” Felise comments, referring to her cousin. “What are you wearing, Romy?”
“Er… I don’t know.” She nibbles her lip. “I’m not sure if I should go.”
“What? Of course you should go!”
“You’re part of the family now,” Joe says.
She flashes him a weak smile. “I know.”
She’s met some of the extended family again after the night we told her she’s a witch, but considering how many people that is, it’s not a wonder she’s hesitant.
“You can come with us,” Felise says. “I’m bringing Cam as my date, but you can totally come with.”
Felise’s best friend besides her sister is Cam Wayland. They’ve been friends for years, and they both swear there’s nothing more between them than friendship.
“I don’t want to intrude,” Romy says haltingly.
Felise snorts. “No worries about that.”
I gather she’s hesitant about attending on her own. Which raises the question, why doesn’t she have a boyfriend? Why isn’t she dating? But if she was… I’d be annoyed.
“Are you bringing a date, Trace?” Cassie asks.
I shake my head. “Nah.” Inviting a casual acquaintance to a wedding gives women weird ideas.
“Then you can bring Romy!” Cassie says with a delighted smile. “Perfect.”
Oh fuck no. I look at Romy, my gut clenching.
She looks at the ceiling and sighs.
What the fuck? It’s bad enough that I have to see her every weekend for tutoring and then at least one other day for a family dinner. Now I’m supposed to survive spending a whole evening with her?
Cassie’s smile is hopeful and imploring. Once again, I can’t say no. “Sure.”
Romy’s jaw tightens.
So does mine.
Cassie lifts a hand, and a strawberry cheesecake appears on the table. “Who wants dessert?”
As Cassie cuts and plates the cheesecake, Romy says to me, “I guess we won’t be doing tutoring Saturday.” She looks pleased about this.
“Right. We’ll find another time.”
“Oh.”
Felise frowns at the piece of cheesecake passed to her. “I don’t like strawberry.” She points at it, and the strawberries turn to cherries.
Cassie sighs.
Felise picks up her fork. “Let’s go shopping and get you a new dress, Romy. Tomorrow night!”
“I’m sure I have something I can wear.” Romy accepts her own dessert.
“I’m sure we can find something better,” Felise says. “I mean, no offense, but your wardrobe is pretty conservative.”
“I don’t think a wedding is the time to break out her inner slut,” Magan says.
“Oh my god. I’ve told you I hate that word.” Felise rolls her eyes. “I’m not talking skintight sequins and cleavage. We can still be classy, just more… fun.”
“I’m coming too,” Magan says. “Just to make sure you pick something appropriate.”
“Of course you’re coming too,” Romy says.
She’s not offended by Felise’s interference, knowing her intentions are good. And she never lets Magan feel excluded even though she’s not as gregarious as Felise. She’s got these two down already. And that gives me a warm feeling in my chest.
Saturday and I’m back at Romy’s place, but this time it’s not to study. Today I’m wearing a suit and I’m picking her up to go to Wendell’s wedding.
She opens the door, and I have to hoist my jaw up off the floor. I blink a few times. “Hi.”
“Hi. Come in. I’m ready, I just need my purse and my phone.”
This is what I was afraid of.
Her dress is a bright orangey-red with spaghetti straps. It fits her curves all the way to just above her knees where a big ruffle swishes around her legs. When she turns away from me, it shows off her tight ass. I swallow.
I follow the ruffle down to her slender calves, then lower to her feet, wearing high-heeled sandals that are nothing more than two little beige straps.
She pauses at her kitchen counter and slips her phone into a small purse, then picks up a sweater and turns again to face me. This time I get the full frontal view. The ruffle at the bottom is shorter at the front, showing more of her legs. The V-shaped neckline isn’t particularly low, barely hinting at the curves of her tits, but it’s subtly sexy. And all that smooth skin… wow.