Page 83 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

Nathan shoots me his are you sure expression, and I nod.

We can do this.

Our wedding song, which I now understand is also their wedding song, plays on a loop. Thankfully, by the twentieth time, I become numb to the words, losing all feeling inside and out. I’m already over it.

For the most part.

I focus on the massive chandelier when Roman places one hand on my hip, and with the other, holds my hand. In silence, we dance the routine without issue. He’s a better dancer with me, but we’ve had years of practice.

“Jeanie.” He swallows as if he’s nervous. “I’m sorry about the song. Sophia picked it.”

I lift my chin and take a deep breath. It helps to steel my emotions.

At first, I thought Sophia chose it to hurt me, but she never attended our wedding. By that point in my life, I was distanced from my dad and step-Satan, and by association, Sophia.

A lost memory comes to me. The few times she and I got along, we’d sing this boy band’s songs into our hairbrushes right before bedtime. I suspect the fact she picked this song says more about the time she spent with me than with Roman. Because I’m doing this for Sophia, I keep this tidbit to myself.

“I fought her on it,” Roman says.

“It’s fine. I’m not upset.” I give him a half smile, even though I know he didn’t bother explaining it was our song first.

“Then why are you squeezing the blood out of my hand?” he asks.

I release him and step away. My attention drops when I realize the real reason for my death grip.

This is the first time I’ve touched Roman in an intimate way in years. Years. I rub a palm down my arm, trying to get a handle on how that makes me feel.

Different.

“Jeanie.” Roman’s gaze flashes to Nathan as he waltzes Sophia in circles like she’s Cinderella. When they turn back, heading in our direction, Roman’s words become rushed. “I want to set up a time after, later, tonight or whenever, for us to talk about things. Can we do that?”

The problem isn’t that Roman wants to talk. It’s the way he’s saying it. His delivery makes me believe he doesn’t want Sophia or Nathan to hear whatever he has to say.

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jeanie

Complicated Shiznit

I stand in shock as I stare at Roman. I can’t even form the words to answer before Sophia and Nathan return from their spin around the ballroom.

“How did it go?” Nathan asks as he joins us.

Sophia reaches for Roman. “We’re so ready for this, bunny.”

I cringe as she says the nickname. That’s my nickname for Roman. Did he fight her over the shared nickname too? I stare at him, wondering if he holds the details of our marriage in any regard.

Roman shrugs like he’s signaling he’s sorry, but I’ve already parsed what happened. He accidentally called her that and it stuck, and now they both call each other bunny. Or he did it on purpose because he’s not creative enough to think of anything new. My lips twist.

“You can’t go wrong if you have fun with it.” Nathan claps his hands, wrapping up the lesson.

“Thank you so much, Nathan. You’re amazing.” Sophia beams.

Her body leans into Roman’s. She kisses him on the cheek, but I detect a small wince in his expression. She wraps her arms around him, and he does it again.

What. Was. That?

Sophia and Roman need to prepare for this evening’s rehearsal dinner party, and I’m happy to part ways with them. Things are becoming awkward.