Chapter Two
Rome
M icah and Christian’s voices drift in the very back of my consciousness but I can’t make out a word they’re saying.
I can barely recall a word they said the entire trek to Arnold and Amerie’s room.
The hotel we’re staying in, The Dahlia Resort, is absolutely insane.
When we arrived, we were partnered with a personal concierge, named Javier, who will be available to help us if we need it and can recommend sites and activities.
Apart from Arnold and Amerie, we each have our own suites, with backyards that are covered in beautiful greenery and have a private pool.
The view is breathtaking, but I can think of one better and my focus has been firmly planted on her since the moment I saw her today.
Janelle is the epitome of beauty. From her gentle eyes to her full lips against her umber skin down to her curvaceous body that has haunted my every dream since the day I met her.
Every time I’ve seen her prior to this trip, she’s worn her hair in its natural curls, but today her hair falls down her back in box braids with loose curly pieces making it appear fuller and wilder.
She piqued my interest immediately. She commanded the room with her warm smile alone.
The problem was that I met her as she was being introduced to everyone as Arnold’s girlfriend.
I’d love to say that I’m such an amazing friend that my instant attraction to her died precisely when Arnold uttered the word “ girlfriend, ” but it didn’t.
My eyes never strayed far from her for the rest of the night.
The sway of her hips demanded more of my attention than I cared to admit.
And when I spoke to her? I was lost in the soft, melodic tone of her voice and by the end of the night, it was my favorite song.
We talked about everything under the sun.
She was attentive and inquisitive about my career, and she was passionate about her own career as an ob-gyn and how much she loves helping women.
We even talked about her dream to open a birthing center that focuses on the reproductive health of all women of color.
Something in Janelle’s soul spoke to me that night.
It unlocked a part of me I didn’t even know existed, but fuck if I wasn’t thankful to experience it.
Still, I would never do my boy like that so I decided to do the only thing I could.
I kept my distance. I’d leave Arnold’s house when I knew she was headed over.
I stopped going to game nights when she was there because the one time I did allow myself to go, she and I were paired against each other and her fierce competitive spirit had me ready to risk it all.
When my video game publishing company, Downhill Studios, had an opportunity to team up with a company in California to produce a new crossover game, I jumped at the chance.
Twenty six hundred miles was exactly what I needed to get Janelle out of my mind.
I blocked all of Arnold’s posts on Instagram so I wouldn’t have to see them together and I went about my business.
I was grateful that I was still in California when the two broke up.
I thought I was over it but her being newly single only put her in the forefront of my mind again.
I needed more time and space to put her behind me because the one thing I’d never done and never planned to do was make a move on someone one of my boys cared about.
That all changed when Arnold started dating Janelle’s sister and suddenly I wished I was back home.
I was blown away. I’ve never known Arnold to do something shady like that.
Everything in me wanted to reach out to Janelle to see if she was okay, but I knew it wasn’t my place.
Instead, I reached out to Arnold, but he was very vague on the details.
I’d spent a fragment of time with this woman. It should’ve been a blip on my radar, and yet she’s occupied every corner of my mind.
“Right, Romey Rome?” Christian slaps the back of his hand against my shoulder.
“Huh?”
He shakes his head, laughing. “You ain’t hear a word I said, did you?”
“I told you he was over there daydreaming,” Micah adds.
“What you dreaming about? Gameplay design?” Christian chuckles to himself and I just flip him off.
“Nah, I’m good. I’m tired as hell, though.” We did just get off a four-hour flight and come straight here so I’m hoping that’s a good enough excuse.
“Well, you better wake yo ass up. We have dinner in an hour. Ri just texted that she’s on her way to the room to change so I’ll catch up with y’all.” Arnold daps each of us up, effectively dismissing us from his room.
A phone call with my brother and my nephew causes me to be the last one to show up to dinner.
There’s a private dinner set up for us along the beach.
The bright white flowers adorning the table illuminate the area against the dark backdrop of the sky, giving an almost glowing effect.
This should be a simple dinner for just us, but it looks like a premiere event.
I expect no less, though, considering all the painstaking details that went into the wedding planning.
The table seating, however, throws me off guard.
We’re sitting at a large rectangular table, four seats on each side and two at the heads, but since there are only eight of us, I have three seats to choose from.
The other head of the table, the seat directly next to Micah or the seat directly next to Janelle.
It strikes me as odd that Arnold would sit at the head of the table with Amerie on the side of him instead of letting her be the head or leaving those seats empty and sitting beside her.
If it were me, I’d never dare to occupy the throne while my wife-to-be sits in the number two position.
She’d sit on the throne while I guard her back.
I shake the thought away. Not my business.
“Sorry I’m late, y’all,” I announce.
“It’s all love, man. We just ordered our drinks so you’re good.” Micah gestures to the open chairs.
I’m not about to sit at the head of the table opposite Arnold, so it’s either next to Micah or next to Janelle. I decide that sitting next to Janelle is the best option. If I’m sitting right beside her then my eyes won’t wander to her too often.
Big mistake. Once I sit down, I’m immediately enveloped in the scent of her perfume.
It’s something citrusy and floral. It perfectly embodies her; sweet and sensual.
If that wasn’t bad enough, I get the full effect of her outfit and I’m undone.
She has on a brown long sleeve wrap crop top with a matching maxi skirt.
Her abdomen is covered with three lines of waist beads in white, gold, and brown, each begging me to remove them with my teeth, and her skirt has a slit that exposes her entire succulent thigh. I’m fucked.
She adjusts slightly in her seat when I sit down but her eyes are friendly when she turns to me. “I thought the guests of honor were supposed to be the fashionably late ones,” she says, poking fun at me.
“Well, sometimes you just have to make a grand entrance. You know a thing or two about that, I’m sure.”
Her smile deepens. “At least you know.”
“You look beautiful.” Maybe I should’ve kept that thought to myself, but all common sense goes out the window with her.
Her smile falters for a moment but then she picks her head up and beams. “Thank you. You look nice yourself.” She looks me up and down in appreciation, laughing when I flex my arms.
“Psst, Rome.” I look up to find the source of the faint whisper is Evelyn leaning behind Janelle’s chair.
“What’s up, Ms. Eve?”
“When you order your drink, you should get a Bay Breeze. Just saying.” Her voice is hushed but her words are slow.
Janelle rolls her eyes, but I can see the twinkle of laughter in them. “She’s been telling all the guys about this drink since we sat down. Safe to say she’s a little obsessed.”
“It’s my new favorite.”
“Mhm, and how many of your favorites have you had tonight?” I ask.
“I’m about to get my fourth.”
“You know, Evelyn,” Christian interrupts. “I didn’t take you for a sloppy drunk. I’m so surprised at your behavior.” He puts his hand on his chest in mock offense. Micah groans and Dani rolls her eyes.
Evelyn cuts her eyes to Christian. I didn’t even think she was capable of moving that quickly in her state, but her movements are swift. “Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk? Because let me tell you, it’s day one and I’m already exhausted of it.”
This is Eve and Christian’s standard state of being around each other. Normally, when two grown-ass adults go at each other this hard I would say they need to fuck and get it over with, but I’m pretty sure Eve actually wants to murder Christian, so maybe not.
“Why would I get tired of hearing myself talk? This voice is like butter, baby. Why you think they put me on the radio?”
Christian is the host of one of Baltimore’s most popular radio shows, Hot Takes . He likes to say he melts the panties off every Baltimore shorty from seven to nine p.m. every night.
“Because they didn’t wanna show your face,” she deadpans.
He scoffs. “Now you know that’s cap.”
“I need another drink. I had a nice buzz going on and you killed that shit.”
“You could get a nice buzz off me instead. ” He licks his lips.
“Oh, brother! This guy stinks!” Dani shouts.
“Sandpaper, Christian. Sandpaper.” Eve takes the last gulp of her drink, setting the glass on the table with disgust.
“Is y’all done or is you finished?” Arnold asks.
“Is your friend done shooting above his level or nah?” Eve scoffs.
While they continue to go back and forth with barbs and Amerie attempts and fails to referee, I turn my attention back to Janelle.
“So what are you drinking?”
She eyes me over the rim of her glass, licking her lips to wipe the drink residue away when she’s done. One subtle movement from her has my dick ready to jump out of my pants.