Page 25 of Romeo

Ma Belle: Why?

Me: I’m judging you.

Ma Belle: Cream and sugar.

Me: Acceptable.

Ma Belle: What would’ve been unacceptable?

Me: Anything involving pumpkin.

Ma Belle: I like pumpkin.

I laughed, the sound carrying through my empty room.

Me: We’ll work through it.

Ma Belle: We?

My fingers stopped.

We.

One stupid little word I’d typed without thinking. Apparently, my subconscious had gotten tired of waiting for the rest of me to behave.

Me: As your friend, I feel responsible for your questionable choices.

Ma Belle: That sounds exhausting.

Me: I’m prepared to make the sacrifice.

Ma Belle: Very noble.

Me: I have my moments.

Ma Belle: What about your coffee?

Me: Black.

Ma Belle: Of course.

Me: What does that mean?

Ma Belle: You like pretending you’re tougher than you are.

My grin faded.

Well, hell.

Most people saw the cut first. The tattoos. The charm. The reputation.

Even after such a short time, Fiona was somehow already poking at what sat underneath all of it.

Me: You already see through me.

Ma Belle: That wasn’t difficult.

Me: Still counts as intimacy.