Page 122 of A Bossy Roommate

“Absolutely.” My hands still itch with the memory. I can barely keep them to myself. No matter when or where, I can’t help wanting to touch her. Even now, I push her hair away from her face and place a kiss on her forehead. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“You know what actually does sound good? A smoothie. I bought the stuff the other day…”

“Say no more. I’m on it.”

I give her another kiss on the forehead before climbing out of bed. I slip on a pair of black shorts and a white T-shirt, then head to the kitchen to make my woman her drink. How quickly things change. When Eden had moved in, my main concern had been the disruption of my routine, and yet here I am, happy to break it so I can make sure my woman gets something in her stomach before she leaves.

I’ve been so wrapped up in the news and what Bradley told me, that I haven’t had a chance to tell her my start-up idea. There’s a lot we have to talk about and not enough hours in the day to do it.

By the time Eden is finished getting ready, I have her smoothie and lightly buttered toast waiting for her. She gives me a kiss as she joins me at the table.

She’s barely taken a few sips from her glass when she points to my phone. “Ready to call your aunt?”

“Yeah.”

One thing we’d discussed before we’d fallen asleep, was inviting Aunt Eleanor to our wedding. It won’t be an easy call, but we know we have to come clean about our fake act. In our hearts, we hope she’ll let it slide once she gets the invite to our“official” grand wedding. Ensuring she’ll get first-row seats and be the very first to know, may also sway her heart to be lenient about the disclosure. Okay, who am I kidding? The shitstorm that’s about to hit us will be fucking massive.

However, we agree that delaying will only make matters worse.

Glancing at the screen, I dial her number and try my best smile when I see Aunt Eleanor’s picture pop up. She’s accepting a video call, something Eden had shown her how to do before she left.

“Good morning, Auntie.”

“Cartie! Finally!” she exclaims, the phone too close to her face so all I see are her eyes and forehead. “Am I doing this right? Can you see me okay?”

“Just pull the phone back a little.” When she does as I say, I can see her full face. “There, perfect.”

Eden leans in close, allowing my aunt to see us both. “Hi, Auntie!”

“Oh, Eden, you look beautiful this morning. How have you two been?”

“We’re fine, Auntie,” I tell her. “Listen, we would like to invite you to our wedding. To our real wedding. Eden and I haven’t been married. We were faking being in love.”

Yep, that’s exactly how I say it. Direct. Honest. To the point. I prepare for the tsunami to unleash its fury upon me.

“Cartie, I know. I’m old, but I’m not stupid.”

Eden’s jaw drops.

My jaw drops.

Aunt Eleanor counts down her bony fingers while I stare at her, processing. “First, the story was ridiculous. Second, you didn’t have a marriage certificate. Third, you didn’t even go on a honeymoon. Fourth, keeping it a secret at work,please. Last but not least, Hattie confirmed my suspicions.”

Eden snort-laughs. Me, I don’t. I breathe in and out, still trying to wrap my mind around the news. “Why didn’t you tell us anything?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because I could see deep and profound affection,vrai amour, true love, devotion in its purest form, so I played along. Also, because Hattie said I shouldn’t so she wouldn’t get into trouble for telling me.”

“Sweet Jesus.” Those two will be the death of me.

“I will gladly come to your wedding, Cartie! Of course! Congratulations to the both of you. About time! I’ve been waiting for this call. Make sure to invite Hattie too.”

Eden leans closer to the phone. “Thank you! We will, for sure. Auntie, how are you doing? Have your coughs improved?”

“Yeah,” I jump in, not wanting to drag the whole thing out. There are more important matters to focus on. “Any updates regarding the lab results?”

“Right, see about that…” My aunt’s face twists, and she suddenly looks guilty.

I already know I’m not going to like where this conversation is headed. “About what?”

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