Chapter 27 Charleigh #2
“I also knew there was something going on with you tonight.” I push off the sink and step closer to the stall. “You couldn’t stay off your phone. Is the man in there with you also the man you’ve been texting all night?”
Silence.
“Come on,” I beg, unable to hold back the laughter. Julianna has never been one to shy away from well… anything. She’s bubbly, loud, and for a while there she was on a dating streak. But if she hasn’t shared details of the person she’s seeing now, it must be different than the others.
“I don’t know why you’re keeping this a secret from me.
I’m your best friend.” I drop my clutch onto the vanity behind me.
I’m probably annoying or embarrassing her, but I don’t care.
I step closer, my heels clicking in the silence, and rap my knuckles gently against the door.
“Come out so I can meet the man you’ve been sneaking around with for the past two months. ”
The lock clicks, echoing in the vacant bathroom. I take a step back as the door swings open. Julianna’s head pops out before she’s opening the door wider.
Raising my brows, I wait as she slowly steps out. Her red lipstick has smudged and her hair is ruffled. She adjusts her skirt and runs her hands through her hair, taming the frazzled strands.
I’m quickly drawn to the man emerging out from behind her, though.
I choke on my own breath when I take in the tall, brooding, tattooed billionaire I’ve encountered only a handful of times.
“Rome?” I sputter, placing my hand on my chest, forcing myself to stop coughing. “Rome Montgomery?”
He moves to stand beside Julianna, smoothing his hand over his dark hair. Red lipstick is smeared across his mouth and jaw, but apparently, it doesn’t faze him.
Extending a hand, he offers, “Nice to finally, formally at least, meet you Charleigh. Congratulations on your recent marriage to Asher.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, shifting glances between the two. I shake his hand and stifle back a laugh after picking up my jaw off the floor. I’ve never so much as spoken to Rome before. He’s broody, mysterious, grumpy. Julianna has always called him an asshole.
Even now, he doesn’t appear the slightest bit embarrassed I’ve caught the two of them.
I wag my finger back and forth between them. “Wait, you two are seeing each other?” I look at Julianna. “Oh, my God, you two were fucking in there, weren’t you? And I interrupted you.”
Julianna’s mouth falls open, her cheeks blushing bright red. “Charleigh!”
“Sorry.” I laugh her off, raising my hands in surrender. “I mean, get it where you can get it, Jules. I’m not one to judge. I’m just trying to understand what I’m looking at here. Rome is your sworn enemy, but he’s the man you’ve been sneaking around with these past two months?”
Julianna winces, revealing her perfectly straight teeth. She scrunches her nose, then shrugs as Rome grabs her hand, weaving his fingers with hers.
“More like ten years, not two months.”
“You’ve been dating Rome Montgomery, the man you hate, for ten years?” I squeak out, flabbergasted. “Rome is your boyfriend?”
“Not my boyfriend.” Julianna winces again. “More like… husband.”
I fall back against the sink, catching myself. I press my hand to my forehead as Selene and London enter the bathroom. I feel like I might faint. Is it the pregnancy or is it that I’m just now learning my best friend in the entire world has been married for ten fucking years?
Ten. Years.
Selene and London come to a screeching halt when they see Julianna standing next to Rome. Their eyes drop to their joined hands.
“Rome is your husband?” I ask, struggling to make sure I heard her correctly.
London’s hand flies to her mouth as Selene gasps, “Oh, shit.”
I turn my attention back to Julianna and Rome, specifically to their hands. They’re both wearing wedding bands.
When I look back up to their faces, I can’t help the smile on my face. Catching my best friend screwing her husband and family rival of ten years is too good to not find humorous.
“We planned on telling you soon,” Julianna starts, sighing. “But it’s a lot to explain, and we only just got back to the city last night.”
“So, Holt doesn’t know?” Selene asks. “Or your dad?”
Jules worries her lip as her brows pull together. “Nope.”
“Oh.” London snickers, tipping her head back. “I’m totally going to stick around for that conversation. No way I’m missing it.”
“Um, this is the second secret London and I have stumbled in on, so for that, I ask what the fuck?” Selene teases, inching closer to Julianna and Rome.
“This is why our group can’t be separated for too long,” London adds. “We’re on a roll with the secrets tonight.”
Selene stands in front of Rome, holding her arms open. “I guess I would be remiss if I didn’t say welcome to the family?”
Julianna waves her hand, chuckling. “Technically, he was part of the family first, but that’s for another time.”
Selene hugs Rome carefully before stepping back. It’s a hilarious sight, since Rome is all hard edges, covered in tattoos, wearing all black, whereas Selene is all blonde hair and sunshine.
I shake my head, pushing off the sink again. “You both have a lot of explaining to do. Preferably before you tell Holt, because we all know the second you do, Rome is dead.”