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“Ah, Tara. I guess you aren’t that famous since we only just heard about you a few weeks ago.”
“We wanted to keep our relationship quiet, so we could get to know each other without distractions,” I reply, with a smile that I hope is convincing.
“Well, I should introduce myself,” he says, holding out his hand. “Randall Crowe.” I reluctantly place my palm in his. He looks at me up and down, scrutinizing every inch of my skin. His eyes linger on my breasts, and I try to stop my lips from curling in disgust. He’s not even trying to hide the way he’s looking at me and I feel an overwhelming sense to punch his smug face.
“Randall was Phillip’s best friend,” Rose informs me. She says his name with a slight hint of distaste, which is interesting. I recognize the name Phillip—that was Marnix’s dad. “He’s also an attorney at the firm.”
I play my part; I know I can’t mess this up. “I’m so sorry for your loss, both of you. I wish I could’ve met Phillip. He sounded like a wonderful man.” The opposite, actually.
“If you weren’t trying to hide your relationship, you could have,” Randall snorts, lifting his nose up at me. “So how long have you been with Marnix?”
I’ve learned this information forward and backward. “Six months.”
“Mmhmm,” Randall hums, narrowing his eyes at me. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he doesn't believe a word I’m saying. Marnix told me there are people here who will try to pick our relationship apart—Randall must be one of them.
I have to sell this, so I can’t make it too unbelievable based on his personality. “He came into my restaurant, ordering my waitresses around. You must know how he is, right Randall?” I shoot him a smile.
“Right,” he huffs.
“Well, once I stood up to him and threatened to kick him out for being a rude asshole, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife. There was an instant spark from that moment on.” God, did I really just say that with his mom standing here?
Randall clears his throat, looking around uncomfortably. “So, what restaurant do you own?”
Shit.I know Marnix wanted to keep his colleagues from finding out I’m from the West Side for as long as possible. I mean, they could easily find out if they look into me, but the longer we prolong it the better. I can’t lie, but maybe I can distract Randall.
“It’s actually—”
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the bridezilla.” A familiar voice interrupts us.
My eyes dart to my beautiful best friend, her burgundy hair up in a perfect bun and wearing a silver dress that was made for her body. I feel a smile instantly light up my face. I’m so happy to see a familiar face. That girl is always getting me out of trouble at the perfect time.
Her entourage of boyfriends appear in a line behind her. I forget the man interrogating me is even there and wrap my arms around Lya, giving her a giant hug.
“Thank fuck, you just saved me. I’m so glad you guys are here,” I whisper for her ears only. Marnix decided that I needed people here from my life to make it more believable. I haven’t told my parents yet, so I sure as hell couldn’t bring them. I already know they aren’t going to approve—even if Marnix is wealthy—since they seem to have their eyes set on Zayan. So I invited Lya and the guys.
“Where’s that big dick—” I pull back, shooting daggers at Lya, telling her to shut her mouth since Randall is still standing there. “...ed husband. Big-dicked husband of yours?”
I cringe at her words. It’s nothing worse than I’d usually say, but fuck me, it wasn’t any better than what she was about to say. Looking around, I’m relieved to see Rose and Randall deep in conversation. I hope they didn’t hear that.
“He went to find his friend and get me a drink.”
Lya nods, looking around. “Damn, you have a lot of eyes on you. A lot of daggers too. Every single woman in here is jealous of you.”
I’ve felt the stares, but I’ve tried to ignore them. “I don’t care.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Randall’s gaze land on me again. “Marnix is mine. He’s marrying me. They can look all they want, but I’ve found the man of my dreams,” I say, loud enough for him to hear. The words feel like acid on my tongue, but I have to do anything to make this believable.
Turning back toward Marnix’s mother, I make introductions. “Rose, Randall. This is my best friend, Lya. Lya, this is Rose, Marnix’s mother, and Randall, his colleague.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you both,” Lya says, shaking their hands.
“Who are these handsome young men you have here?” Rose asks, staring over Lya’s shoulder.
“These are my boyfriends—Zep, Thiago, and Rian,” Lya introduces them.
Ah fucking shit. God, this isn’t going well at all. Maybe I should’ve asked Lainey and crazy Greyson to come instead. No one ever really understands Lya’s relationship. They’re always judged so much, but they don’t let it get to them.
Rose looks shocked, but she doesn't seem disgusted like I expected. “Oh, well, isn’t that nice,” she says with a smile. She’s obviously confused, but she obviously knows it’s not the time or place to inquire.
Randall doesn’t care though. He speaks up. “Boyfriends? You’re all together?” He looks absolutely repulsed, which pisses me off. Just because he’s some stuffy old man, who probably snorts coke off of women’s asses when his wife is out of town, does not give him the right to judge my best friend for loving three guys.
