Chapter Five #3
“I’m reading the second book in this series by A.R.
Washington. It’s a fake dating book which is one of my favorite tropes.
I started it a few weeks ago, but between work, research, and helping Ri with wedding stuff, I haven’t had a chance to go back to it.
I’ve been fiending for it though because the man is already a top-tier book boyfriend and I need another dose.
” I cut myself off because I can hear my voice becoming too high-pitched to understand.
Once you get me started on books, I can go on forever.
“The first book is about the same couple?”
“No. They’re interconnected stand-alones. The series is about these three nurses who are all best friends and work at the same hospital. The first book in the series is about one of the other friends and the doctor she works with so it’s a little forbidden.”
“You have that one with you?”
“It’s on my Kindle, yeah.”
“Give me that one, then.”
He holds his hand out, expectantly. What in the entire fuck is going on?
If there’s one thing I’m learning about Rome, though, it’s to not underestimate him, so I reach into my bag and pull out my Kindle.
Once I have the book he asked for pulled up, I turn it over to him.
The cover shows a couple in scrubs standing back-to-back, but the tops of their heads are cut off.
He studies it for a moment and then pushes my sternum so I’m leaning all the way back against the couch and lifts my legs so I’m resting comfortably on the sectional portion. Then he lays his head in my lap.
I guess the conversation is over.
Grabbing my paperback, I open it to where I left off and though I’m immediately immersed back into the story, Rome’s presence breaches the hub of my consciousness.
I notice every shift in his body against mine.
I notice every time he swipes to a new page, every sound he makes, every crease in his forehead.
I even notice him highlighting a few things as he reads.
Not once does he interrupt me or try to get my attention, so I give him the same courtesy and keep to myself.
We sit in comfortable silence, devouring our books as I notice he’s just as fast of a reader as I am. My hand stays planted on his head, massaging his scalp, only removing it to turn the pages.
After I read the last page of my book, I close it with a smile and stretch my arms up to the ceiling.
“Are you taking a break?”
“I just finished.”
He jolts up from his seat and turns to me. “Okay, good, because I have questions.”
His quick movement makes me choke on my laughter and he uses his heavy ass hand to pat me on the back. “Are you not liking it?”
“I wanna know why Jharrel thought Essence was gonna come see him after he talked to her crazy in the operating room. She should’ve punched him dead in his shit.”
“Yeah, he’s an asshole.”
“That’s it? He’s an asshole? J, this man showed up to play basketball with her brother tryna get information on her from him. Tyree should’ve dunked on his ol’ goofy wannabe Jackson Avery–head ass.”
“Not you getting invested in these characters.”
“I’m all the way invested because something ain’t right with that man. On a brighter note, Essence is nasty. She a freak freak and I love it. I see why you like this book. It’s sexy. I think I’m halfway through and shit is getting wild.”
“In that case, I’m about to really put you on, make you a certified filth pusher.”
“Well, shit, put me on then. I’m ready.”
We both laugh and I lean my head on his shoulder. “By the way, A.R. is a local writer, too. Her name’s Aniyah and her brother owns that bookstore, Bookmarked and Busy, off North Charles.”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen that store. Have you met her?”
“No, I just follow her on socials.”
“I’m gonna follow her after I get through these books. I wanna know why Tracy keeps dealing with her man when everybody knows he’s cheating on her. That security guard, what’s his name? Eric? He’s feeling her.”
I bend over in hysteria at his assessment. “Look at you thinking you know something. Tracy’s book is the third book.”
“And is her guy Eric?”
“It’s not out yet. You gon’ have to wait and see.”
“Mhm. I bet it is. That means I’ma have to deal with her bum ass man through all of book two, I bet. Lawd.”
We spend another few minutes talking about the books when Paul comes in to let us know lunch is ready, and we let him know we’d like to eat out on the sundeck.
I decide to strip down to my bathing suit because after lunch I’m going to be ready for a swim. When my shorts hit the ground, so does Rome’s jaw.
This bathing suit leaves very little to the imagination. It’s a jade green two-piece with a drawstring thong bottom and bikini string top.
I’ve never subscribed to the idea that just because you’re bigger than what society deems acceptable you shouldn’t be able to flaunt your body.
I’m a big girl. I’m not very top heavy, I only wear a C-cup bra.
My waist is somewhat trimmer, but my wide hips make up for it.
I’ve got stretchmarks, dimples, and dips on my ass and hips.
My arms are flabby, my lower belly has a pooch to it, and my thighs rub together when I walk.
I make no attempts to cover up because I feel very comfortable in my body, and from the way Rome is devouring me with his eyes, he agrees with me.
I look good as hell.
“Damn, J. I can’t even put into words how gorgeous you are.” I do a little turn so he can get the full effect. “Come here, I think I need a closer inspection to figure out the right word.”
“You better stop. We can’t keep Paul waiting.”
He levels his eyes at me. “Respectfully, fuck Paul.”
Then he scoops me over his shoulder, slapping my ass as I laugh and yell for him to put me down.
Luis looks thoroughly entertained by us as Rome carries me all the way to my seat.
We’re presented with a delicious lunch consisting of chips and guacamole, seafood ceviche, and wood-grilled chicken and vegetables.
We take our time feeding each other and enjoying the cocktails that were made for us before jumping in the water. After, Rome has me help him set up the Kindle app on his phone so he can continue reading the A.R. Washington book, and I can start a new e-book on our way back to shore.
Days like today stay with you forever and when the dust of mine and Rome’s relationship settles, I’ll be grateful to have had this.
When we get back to the hotel, Rome immediately passes out.
Because I’m not tired at all, I let him keep sleeping peacefully.
I kiss him on his forehead and leave him in my room to go find Evie.
She texted me while we were on the boat, but Rome refused to let me acknowledge the outside world.
I tell her to meet me by the entrance, and we agree to ride bikes into town to do some shopping.
“What did you do with your day of rest?”
I look down at the ground to hide the smile threatening to take over my entire face. “Exactly that, rested. I finished the second A.R. Washington book.”
“Oh, that’s good. Was the book good?”
“It was the best reading experience I’ve had in a long time,” I say, biting my lip.
“Oop. Okay, girl. Tell me no more about your one-handed reading.”
I roll my eyes, going back to rifle through the hangers of shirts in the clothing store we’re checking out. “And what did you do with your day, miss ma’am?”
“I spent most of the day going back and forth between my pool and my bed. I had planned to go out and find me a little boo ting, but I was too damn tired. Those drinks last night were potent. Is this what we’re to look forward to in our thirties? Actual hangovers? I rebuke this.”
I didn’t feel hungover at all when I woke up today, but then again, I’m pretty sure Rome and I sweat all the alcohol out. “We are in our thirties, Evie.”
“No. We’re thirty. Next year, we’ll be in our thirties. There’s a difference.”
“Whatever you say.”
We look through a few more stores, mostly browsing, but we do get a few pieces of jewelry and handbags.
We go into a store that features all types of handmade art.
While Evie is looking at the alebrijes, the clay art catches my eye.
One in particular, a pair of handcrafted clay sea turtles, makes me think of Rome.
Two souls drifting together despite their very nature to be alone.
I look around to see if there are any clay giraffes lying around but there aren’t.
Decision made. He gave me a memorable day; I want to get him a physical representation of what it meant to me.
“I’m finished. Did you wanna get something?” Evie asks, joining me in front of the clay art.
“Yeah, I think I do.”