Chapter 2 Rosalie
TWO
ROSALIE
“Did you choose what you’ll wear to the engagement party?
” Jamie’s voice came over the receiver as I lay on my bed, a week after being in the club with Anson.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t miserable, not only because of telling Anson no, but also because he’d been scarce.
Since I wasn’t practicing anymore and classes ended already, there wasn’t a reason for him to be around as much.
I missed him. He’d texted me to see how I was, but it didn’t feel like it usually did. He told me he was busy, but if I needed him, he’d come if I called.
“Yeah. It’s a white dress I bought online,” I said. “It’s beautiful. I’ll send you a picture.”
I went to my closet, pulled the dress out, and snapped a photo before sending it to her.
“Oh, that’s pretty! I love the gold in it.”
“I figured it matches what we’re doing for the wedding with the reds, purples, and golds for Fall.”
“I can’t wait to see you. We can work on some wedding stuff while I’m there.”
“Yeah. That’ll be fun,” I murmured, sitting on my bed.
“How are you and your mom?” she asked gently. I’d told her my mom wasn’t around to help with anything because my dad disapproved of my marriage to Enzo.
“Uh, not good.” I winced. “She hasn’t spoken to me. Neither has my dad. It’s like I don’t have parents at all.”
“Oh, Rosalie. I’m sorry.” Jamie sighed. “Maybe they’re just busy…”
“You don’t need to make excuses for them,” I mumbled. “I don’t know if they’re coming to the engagement party.”
“Maybe call and ask them. You know how your dad is.”
“I do.” I bit my bottom lip. I was scared to reach out because I didn’t want to get hurt again, and the last time had broken my heart.
“How is your friend? Anson, isn’t it?”
“Oh, uh, he’s good. I think. We haven’t spoken a lot lately.”
“Why?”
I sighed and decided to tell her everything, right down to me turning down the recording contract.
“God, Rosalie. Babe, you need a vacation. Are you OK?”
“No,” I whispered. “But yes. It had to be done.”
“I get it,” she murmured. “It doesn’t make things easy to have feelings like that. I wish I could help you somehow.” She paused. “Tell you what. When I get there, we will have a girls’ night. Junk food. Rom coms. Dancing. Makeup. You name it and we will do it.”
I smiled. “That sounds nice.”
“Perfect. We’ll do our nails and everything. We’ll get your mind off stuff and have fun like we used to.”
“That means a lot to me. Thanks, Jamie.”
“Of course, babe. Call your parents, OK? It’ll be one last stressful thing to think about. If they’re dicks, I’ll toilet paper their house the next time I’m home.”
I chuckled. “Deal.”
Enzo knocked lightly on my door. I sat up.
“Hey, I’ll text you later, OK?”
“OK. Love ya.”
“Love ya too.” I hung up and looked expectedly at Enzo. “Hey.”
“Hey. Who were you talking to?” He stepped into the room wearing an all black suit, his hair perfectly styled.
“Jamie. We were discussing her trip here.”
He smiled at that. “Not long now, huh?”
“Nope.”
He sat next to me, his cologne teasing my nose. I took in a deep breath, loving the way he smelled.
“Are you going somewhere?” I asked.
“Yes. I’m having dinner with Vander Veer.”
I bristled at his words. I hated the Vander Veers.
“He finalized his divorce. Asked me if I’d come out for dinner and drinks. I agreed.”
I said nothing, irritated he’d agreed. He reached for my hand.
“Sunshine, I’d like you to come with me if you feel up to it.”
“I don’t,” I said immediately. I wanted nothing to do with that man or his wicked daughter.
“I thought maybe we could start practicing being married,” he murmured, tucking a curl behind my ear. “I want you to be with me. I want to show you off.”
“Enzo, I hate that man and his daughter.”
“I know you do, but I miss you. I’ll make the dinner short. We can get through it, then maybe we can do something together.”
“Just me and you?” I rarely got alone time with Enzo. He was always off doing things.
“Yeah. We’ve both been so busy lately. I figured this might be a good time to talk.”
I nibbled my bottom lip for a moment. While I didn’t want to see Vander Veer, I wanted to be with Enzo.
“OK. I’ll go.”
A grin broke onto his handsome face. “Get ready, OK? I have to make a few calls. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He stood and dropped a kiss on my forehead before leaving me alone.
I sighed and went to my closet, eager to finish the dinner and praying that it would be short.
Anything less would suck.