Page 57 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

“You graduated from Mike’s Hard Lemonade? Look at you moving on up in the world of liquor.”

I gaped at him and smacked his arm. “You are relentless! I’m still sour about that, you know.”

“What? Too soon?” Romeo had this big, sparkling white smile that radiated toward me.

He looked really, really cute, and I never noticed him having any kind of upper helix piercings. When did that happen? It suited him well.

“Have you had a chance to roam around the garden yet?” he asked.

“Not yet. It’s been on my to-do list, though. And you?” I whipped back to face forward.

He nodded. “Of course. How could I stay here without exploring the beautiful grounds? I found a great reading spot by one of the willow trees.” He pointed towards a bench made of stone, surrounded by a bed of hot pink peonies—my favorite.

“You read, too?” I asked.

“We did run into one another in the library,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

I smacked my forehead. “Right. Oh my god. I told you I swallowed ten too many samples of wine,” I laughed. “Even if we haven’t found the bride’s favorite wine, I sure discovered mine.”

“Let me guess,” Romeo began.

“Cabernet Sauvignon,” we both said at the same time, chuckling together. I hid my blushing face from him, swiping the dewy shine above my forehead. This man was making me sweat. Did he notice the beads at my temple?

Ro looked back at the wedding party, then out towards the stone bench. “You wouldn’t want to join me for a garden walk, would you?” he asked, holding out his hand for me to take. The way he was willing to escort me around reminded me so much of High Jynx. My stomach fluttered from the gesture.

There was something special about Ro; there was no doubt about that. He had a lot more to offer than a performer ever could. I just felt more intensely for High Jynx, and I wish I didn’t.

I really wish I didn’t.

But the second I placed my hand into his, my heart came alive. It lived everywhere in me, throughout my chest and down to my knees, beating hard.

It wasn’t the alcohol, trust me. It was the way Ro made me feel. Despite how nervous I’d become, there was something equally calming about him. A familiar comfort I became accustomed to. Could this be something real, or was it simply my high school crush coming back to haunt me?

Ro and I walked down the stone staircase and into the secluded garden. The colors of all the flowers were magnificent against the vibrant greenery. It smelled like sweet tea and honeysuckle.

“I figured we could sit at the bench to give you a sense of how incredible this willow tree is,” Ro said.

“Sure, sitting down sounds kind of nice. Garden walks are so overrated.” I kind of wobbled like a baby deer.

“Are you okay?” he asked, holding my hand tighter.

“Pfffft, yeah. I feel a good buzz right now. It’s nice. And this beautiful breeze we’re having, it’s… ah-fucking-mazing.”

“Ivy Jade curses now?” Ro asked proudly, as if I just broke some generational curse.

“Only when necessary,” I told him. “I think it’s okay. I’ve finally come to realize that it's just a word.”

“It’s a sentence enhancer,” he laughed, giving me a side-eye.

“That!” I cracked up. “I’m actually glad we're away from everyone right now. I don’t need the whole bridal party giving me a standing ovation for saying the word ‘fuck.’”

“I was thinking about buying you balloons to celebrate it.” He nudged my arm. “It’s so rare.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll hear it soon. God forbid we’re forced into some ax-throwing activity again.”

“Not your favorite, huh?”

“Better than the corn maze…”