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“Can I finish my conversation with Sapphire first?” I countered.
He gave me the same look he’d been giving me my entire life, that look of pure loathing. “You say hello to everyone before you engage in a conversation. I know you’re trashy, but have you forgotten all your manners?”
“You think I won’t knee you in the groin right here in the restaurant?” I threatened.
“You think I won’t slap—”
“Enough,” Sapphire said. “Say hello and hug it out.”
Conway immediately obeyed, whipped so hard that he wasn’t the same man I once knew. He sighed then extended his arms. “Hey, Vanessa. It’s nice to see you.” He pulled me into his chest and hugged me.
I hugged him back. “You too.”
He could insult me as much as he wanted, but when his arms were around me, he hugged me for a long time, telling he missed me—telling me he loved me.
He pulled away then returned to his seat.
“That’s better,” Sapphire said. “You two are like fire and gasoline sometimes…”
“We’re Barsettis,” I said. “Get used to it.”
“I’ll try,” she said with a chuckle. “So what’s new with you? Your father said you’re dropping out of school to paint full time?”
“Yeah.” I told them about my decision and why I’d chosen that route. It was easy to talk to them about art, so I dragged it out as long as possible. I didn’t want them to ask me about my personal life. Sapphire and I talked about those things all the time, but I didn’t want to mention men around Conway.
Conway always got so weird about it. If he could put me in an arranged marriage, he would. But if Conway knew about the situation I was in right now, he’d have every right to be livid about it.
“So when’s the wedding?” I asked, keeping the conversation focused and away from me.
“Spring,” Sapphire said. “The second the snow is gone and the sun is out, we’ll do it. I just hope I’m not too big.”
“Whatever size you are, you’ll look perfect.” Conway had his hand on her thigh, and he stared at her just the way my father stared at my mother. Maybe it was because their features were so startlingly similar, but sometimes I felt like I was talking to my father when I was with Conway.
Sapphire didn’t smile, but her cheeks filled with a dash of color.
“I’m excited,” I said. “It’ll be beautiful. What’s new with work? Are you not modeling at all anymore?”
“No, not really,” Sapphire said. “But Conway has decided to launch a new line of lingerie.”
“He’s always launching something new.”
“But this is a different kind of lingerie,” Conway said. “I’ve basically designed maternity lingerie.”
I almost made a disgusted face because I knew exactly what inspired it.
“All men are different, but I think Sapphire is absolutely stunning with that baby bump. And if I feel that way, then other men must too. So I’m launching a sexy line of lingerie for expecting mothers.”
“Cool…” I downed my wine to dilute the awkwardness in my stomach. I didn’t care that my brother designed lingerie, but I didn’t want to hear about his inspiration. It was so gross.
Conway excused himself to the bathroom, leaving us alone.
“I’m sorry if that’s weird for you,” Sapphire said.
“No, don’t worry about it,” I said. “I’m glad you guys are happy. My brother’s occupation has never bothered me, and don’t ever tell him I said this, but I’m really proud of him. He’s the best of the best because he’s a very successful and intelligent man. But if you ever tell him I said that, I’ll deny it until my deathbed.”
She chuckled. “Alright.”
“I’m happy you guys are in love. I like seeing my brother happy…even if it’s a little disgusting.”
“You’re so mature,” she teased. “So…anything going on in your love life?”
“Nope. Nada. Nothing.” I fired off my answers so quickly that even I could tell I was lying.
Sapphire cocked an eyebrow. “No dates or anything?”
“Uh, not really. I’ve just been busy…”
“Busy doing what? You haven’t been in school.”
This was taking a bad turn. I knew she was suspicious because I used to go out all the time. I met guys often, dated regularly, and I usually had at least one guy on my line. For me to stay there was nothing going on was unlikely. “Okay, I’m seeing someone. But I’m not ready to talk about it.”
Sapphire immediately moved closer, her eyes lighting up in excitement. “Who is he?”
“I just said I’m not ready to talk about it.”
“Why?” she asked. “Is it serious?”
“No,” I said with a laugh. “Not serious at all. It’s the opposite…”
“So it’s just a fling?”
“I guess…but it’s been going on for a while.”
“How long?”
“Like…two months?”
Sapphire’s mouth fell open in shock. “Vanessa, that’s not a fling.”
“Well, it is,” I said quickly. “I wouldn’t call it a relationship. It’s definitely not a relationship. But we just have this passion…this heat. Hands down, he’s the best sex I’ve ever had.”
