Page 17 of Romeo

Then Fiona came along and apparently turned patience into my newest fucking personality trait.

And that was the bitch of it.

This couldn’t be simple.

Not with her.

I could flirt. Make her laugh. I could let her get used to seeing my name on her phone every damn day.

What I couldn’t do was show her all of it at once.

Not yet.

My phone buzzed.

Ma Belle: I survived the birthday party

Me: Proud of you, Cher.

Ma Belle: I deserve a medal

Me: I’ll get you one.

Ma Belle: You’re ridiculous

Me: You like it.

Ma Belle: Maybe

Me: Definitely.

I stared at that maybe and grinned. Three weeks ago, I probably would’ve gotten an eye roll. Today, I got maybe.

I’d take the fucking win.

Ma Belle: I have to go. Sugar needs me at the counter.

Me: Text me when you get home.

Ma Belle: You worry too much

Me: Text me anyway.

Ma Belle: Fine

The screen went still.

I waited another few seconds anyway.

Nothing.

I could picture her slipping the phone into her pocket and heading back behind the counter. She’d smile at a customer, scoop somebody’s ice cream, probably laugh at something Sugar said.

And some other bastard would get to hear it.

“Well, well, well.”

I looked up from my phone to find Jack standing in the doorway with Blade behind him. They had matching expressions on their faces, which meant they were about to become pains in my ass.