Page 36 of Sparks Will Fly

“Now, let me check you out.”

* * *

You’ve reached the voicemail of Romani Rogue. Please leave your name, number, and reason for calling. I will get back to you at my earliest convenience.

My heart hammered against my sternum as I bit back the tears that wanted to fall. I’d called and texted Romani countless times over the last week, and nothing worked. He really and truly was not fucking with me. For some reason, it didn’t sit well with my spirit. It took losing him for me to truly realize life without him wasn’t an option.

I missed everything about him—his voice… his check-ins… his confidence… his infatuation with me. I realized that being adored like that was a commodity. Now that he wasn’t even willing to give me the time of day, I was having withdrawals.

“Nope. Get your ass out of this bed!” Drey yelled as soon as she walked into my room.

She boldly snatched my covers off me. I lifted my pillow and slammed it over my head.

“Go away and leave me alone, Drey.”

“Absolutely not. You’re not going to get your man back lying around in bed all day.”

I groaned hating the way she was reminding me of the disconnect between us right now.

“Girl, he don’t want me no more. I can’t even get him on the phone.”

Drey laughed like I’d made a joke, making me sit up and frown at her.

“What’s so funny?”

She plopped down on my bed.

“You are. I know you can’t get him on the phone, but luckily for you, Robyn likes you and is a master planner.”

Hearing his twin’s name piqued my interest. She smirked, knowing she had me right where she wanted me.

“Mhm. Exactly. So, here’s the plan. Robyn has convinced him to agree to a night out on the town. We’re going to go, and that’s your chance to have a face-to-face conversation.”

I nibbled on my lip thinking it over. That would be a perfect opportunity. There was truly nothing I could do to make it all better. At the very least, I wanted a chance to explain why I lied and let him know it had nothing to do with him. He was everything I hoped to find in a romantic partner, and that was the root of my fear. I nodded, knowing if this was my only opportunity to get close to him, then I was taking it.

* * *

I spent hours in my closet, doing my makeup and hair to look my best. I wanted Romani to be unable to resist me when I walked in the room. I already knew he was very attracted to me, and I wasn’t ashamed to use it to my advantage.

“Your ass in that dress is insane.” Drey crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “Why the hell I couldn’t be blessed with it too? We got the same genes.”

I giggled, knowing she was serious. “Same genes but different coding I guess.”

She stuck out her tongue but wrapped her arm around mine. We could hear the music through the walls as we approached the entrance to Paradise. It was an upscale lounge in the burbs that I didn’t frequent. However, if it was where I’d find Romani, I was cool with getting out of my comfort zone.

The bouncer checked us quickly then let us inside. I liked the ambience of the place with low lighting and blue lights streaking the walls. It was not hard to figure out where they were because Robyn spotted us immediately and waved us over.

I browsed the group with her looking for her brother and hated what I found. He was sitting on one of the cushions with a woman draped over his shoulder. She was whispering something to him that made him smile. He glanced at her then nodded. She said something else, and this time, he burst into laughter.

The jealousy that coursed through my veins was hard to contain. Seeing another woman even breathing the same air as him pissed me off. On the walk over, I tried to steady my breathing, but it was difficult. I was a certified crash out even on my best days. My heart was beating so loud I couldn’t even hear the music anymore. No matter what I tried to say to calm myself down, nothing worked, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

When we made it to the group, he still hadn’t noticed me because he was so wrapped up in whatever they were talking about.

“Relax,” Drey whispered in my ear.

I heard her, but I didn’t acknowledge it. I wouldn’t be able to relax until that bitch was fifty feet away from him.

Robyn hugged us both once we were close enough. “I’m so happy you came.”

---