Page 75 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

Scratch my earlier thought. I’m still in revenge mode because he’s still an asshole who needs to be stopped. Like right now.

I only make it two steps before Jeanie bumps me out of the way and sprints in Roman’s direction with a crazed determination.

“Roman!” she screams. Her newly manicured claws rise, poised for attack.

Roman turns the moment she launches at him. Her body slams into his and Roman cries out. They hang in midair for a comedic second before tilting sideways and crashing onto the surface of the pool. A massive splash awakens several passed-out sunbathers. People scream. Jeanie and Roman struggle underwater.

I watch Jeanie in awe. She pummeled his ass. Brav-the-fuck-o. Even though I shouldn’t, I clap.

When the two surface, Jeanie delivers an enraged warning. The gist is, “Don’t mess with my son.”

Roman appears horrified. Like he didn’t realize Jeanie possessed this amount of anger for him or fierceness to protect her kid.

My heart fills to the brim. Maybe my fake life coaching worked for Dex and Jeanie.

Sure, in the real world, talking things out is preferred. It would avoid an orange jumpsuit and jail time. But, hey, I never promised I was legit or ethical. What I am is damn proud. Jeanie stood up for her family. Without a doubt, it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Jeanie paddles to the edge of the pool, dunks her head under the water, and surfaces with slicked-back hair. In the sun-sparkling ripples, she’s a bewitching siren.

Meanwhile, Roman struggles like a cockroach trying to swim. He grabs a pool noodle and slips under the surface, taking in a mouthful of water. The jackass doesn’t realize he can just stand up. He’s in three feet of water. Unfortunately, a lifeguard comes to his rescue.

I meet Jeanie at the pool’s edge. She clasps my hand, and I lift her onto the deck with a loud swoosh. Water drips over her sumptuous body, making her cute sundress see-through. Hard nipples direct their attention to me. Because other men are staring at her enticing assets, I turn possessive.

“Remind me to never get on your bad side,” I say low as I wrap her in a beach towel.

She raises a brow. “Who says you aren’t next?”

“On second thought, you can body-slam me anytime,” I whisper in her ear.

33/

jeanie

Sleazy Snowbirds

Even though Mom invited us to brunch, she doesn’t appear until we’re finishing eating. She drops onto the chair at our poolside table.

“Hey, kiddos. Did I miss anything fun?” She waves over a server.

She did, in fact, miss a lot of fun. But I’ll let her discover that Dex and Freddie are rocketing into the dating life. And as far as Roman goes, she already knew he needed to take a plunge with the fishes.

Across the patio, Roman is sprawled on the sundeck, drying out like a starfish. He’s treating his wounded ego with frozen drinks from the tiki bar. The important part? He’s kept his distance from Dex.

Dex floats around the lazy river on an inner tube with a chain of several young ladies in tow. Freddie, well, he’s . . .

I glance around and find him.

On a stage, he’s singing karaoke to his new sweetheart. I cringe when he licks the microphone like a lollipop and quickly avert my eyes.

“Where’s Alfonso?” I ask Mom.

“Sent him back to Brazil.” Mom orders an Aperol spritz and winks at the handsome waiter.

“Betty.” Nathan pauses until he has her full attention. She’s busy checking out the server as he walks away. “I’ve only known you a few days and have seen you with, oh, I don’t know, five different men.”

“And?” She glares from over her jeweled sunglasses.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive. I’m a big fan. But I’m curious, do you ever date anyone seriously?”