Page 54 of Taboo

“Yes, although he didn’t show those traits right off. I mean, he was boring, that was for sure, but the racist rubbish didn’t come up until the last month or so that we were dating. Or engaged. Or whatever.”

He let one eyebrow rise. “Or whatever?”

“Officially we were engaged, but…” it was as if she just realized she was saying it out loud.

“You can be honest with me. Go ahead.”

She sighed. “I always thought that if you’re in love, then you couldn’t keep your hands off each other. That’s the way my parents apparently were and now my brother and his wife.”

“But it wasn’t like that for you and Gregory?”

A little tinkle of laughter slipped, and she covered her mouth. “Gregor.”

He knew the bastard’s name but what the fuck kind of name was Gregor?

“And no, we were not like that.”

“Not even at first?”

She shook her head.

He frowned at that. “I think you’re lying to me.”

She laughed again and shook her head. “I’m telling the truth. We really never clicked. But the truth was, I didn’t know any better.”

He blinked. He knew she didn’t have much experience, but he realized that she was telling him that her ex was an even bigger idiot. Before he could respond, someone approached them. He watched as the happy, relaxed Jules disappeared into a colder woman, one whose smile didn’t reach her eyes. It was like looking at a completely different woman.

“Excuse me, aren’t you Aleka Johnson?” an older woman asked.

“Yes,” he responded, then realized who she was. “Auntie Michelle?”

He rose out of his seat to give her a big hug. The older woman worked for his grandfather for years.

“I didn’t know you were back,” she said, smiling up at him.

“I’m officially back, working forTutu.”

“Good to hear. I have to get on out of here. Grandkids are waiting on me and this food,” she said holding up the plastic bag with the containers of food. “Tell your grandfather aloha for me.”

“I will,” he said, watching her walk away as he slipped back into his seat.

“Well, that was interesting.”

He looked at Jules, who was relaxed again. “What?”

“Nice to be a nobody when I’m out and about.”

“London is so big. Can’t you avoid the press or fans?”

“First, I don’t have fans.” Other than me, he thought. “And it was hard when Gregor started spreading the rumors.”

“Ah.”

“I really hated it. My brothers…well, they deserve it. Jensen especially gave them a lot to chew on.”

“Yeah?”

She blinked, then understanding moved over her face. Her beautiful face. “I forgot you probably weren’t paying attention to things like that. You had bigger fish to fry.”

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