Chapter 32 Rosie #2
She cackles, completely unbothered by my embarrassment. “Don’t act shy now! You’re the one wrecking towel holders with hot hockey player sex.”
I cross my arms, glaring at her. “Can we not broadcast my personal life to the entire town, please?”
Her smirk softens, but only slightly. “Fine. But tell me this—was it as good as he looks?”
I sigh heavily. “Even better. It was… amazing.” I hesitate, then admit, “I need advice. Sisterly advice.”
Rhiannon hoists Piper higher on her hip and steers us toward the end tables and chairs. She stops in front of three stools that I have to admit, are perfect for my kitchen.
“You know I’m always here for you but what could you possibly need advice on?” She eyes me skeptically. “He’s hot, you’ve got insane chemistry, and you’re already married. What’s there to stress about? Why fight it? What’s the problem?”
Her words land hard. She makes it sound so easy, so manageable, and my feelings are anything but that. They’re knotted and overlapping and pulling me in too many directions at once.
There’s my dad. His court case. My promotion. All the conversations Boone and I haven’t had yet, like what this looks like outside my bedroom or his place in Brookhaven.
What happens if we step out into the world and stop pretending? If we go out in public and there’s no audience we’re performing for? Would he even want that?
I think he would. The way he talked last night and this morning, the way he looked at me like he already made up his mind about us lasting. But thinking isn’t knowing.
We’ve never been on a real date. Not one that wasn’t planned or scripted or done for someone else’s benefit.
We’ve never existed together in public without playing a role.
And suddenly, that feels like the biggest unknown of all.
What if that’s the only reason that he desires me. Because it all feels… forbidden.
I’ve been with men like that before. In high school, and in college, when my boyfriends figured out who my father was, the power that he had, they wanted more of me.
It was the fact that I was so protected by him, so sheltered, so set up for success that they were drawn in.
And if he didn’t like them, even better.
And once the forbiddenness wore off, it was no longer fun for them. They became bored and broke up with me.
I nibble on my lip. “Because this is all going to end in less than a month? It’s such an unconventional start. I mean, I want to date the guy, get to know him more, not marry him...” Yet?
“Sometimes the best relationships come from the weirdest starts. Look at me and Cain. He literally sued me.”
I snort because she’s not wrong. My brother had been a complete idiot, trying to resist what was obviously written in the stars. Everyone else could see that universe kept forcing them together in the most unlikely situations, but Cain? No, he had to make it complicated.
By the time he finally pulled his head out of his ass, Rhiannon had almost convinced herself it wasn’t worth it. Until Cain sat her down and proved there wasn’t anyone else for him but her.
“Yes, but this started worse. My dad basically focused us get married. He’d never have chosen Boone for me to really marry.”
Rhiannon shrugs, completely unfazed. “And that's a problem why? Why does it matter what your dad thinks? You’re not letting him pick your prom date, so why give him that kind of power now?”
“I... I…” My words falter because the truth is, it doesn’t matter. Not really.
I’m almost thirty years old. I shouldn’t care if my dad likes who I’m dating. I guess I just don’t want him to hate the guy. And I don’t want the guy to thrive off that hate either. My dad’s not a bad father. He isn’t cruel. I know deep down he just wants what’s best for me and Cain.
“It’s the promotion,” I blurt out, though I’m not even sure that’s my real concern anymore.
“And Boone knows about the promotion now?”
I nod. “He said he wouldn’t do anything to mess it up.”
“Well, putting his cock inside you might complicate things.”
I bite back a groan. “I know.” But it was so, so good.
“So, get the promotion. Let Cain and Boone handle his case next week. There’s only a week left for the promotion and case complication to be behind you. Then ask to date him and fuck him again while you're at it. You’re glowing. I can tell you needed that.”
“You say all that like it’s so easy.”
She smirks and shrugs, hoisting one of the chairs over her shoulder. “Take the other two chairs. You’re buying these. They’re perfect for your house.”
I grab the other two chairs, one in each arm. She’s right. They'll look great in my kitchen. Together, we drag them to the counter. Rhiannon tucks the chairs behind it, then turns back to me, crossing her arms with that familiar, no-nonsense look.
“I’m saying it’s simple because it is simple, Rosie.
You like him. And in the two years that I’ve known you, you’ve never liked anyone.
You’ve kept yourself in this neat little box, like a pretty butterfly who doesn’t know how to break free.
You’re so comfortable pretending that you’re happy all the time but inside you’re miserable.
At work, with your clients, in public, in front of your dad.
But here? With us in Brookhaven? You’re you.
You’re softer, playful, loving. And I’ve never seen you like that with anyone but us.
Until Boone. With him, you’re not pretending.
I don’t think you’ve ever been pretending for the cameras. So why start now?”
Her words sink in heavy.
She’s right. It really is that simple. I just need to figure out how to move forward when we have a glaring timeline, a PR team set to divorce us, and a father who's bent on not having his daughter date a professional hockey player and client.
I need to talk to Boone. And I need to find a way to make this work without hurting anyone or myself in the process.