Page 45 of Love Bites
Rosa shrugged her delicate shoulders. “I’ve been working. I had a photoshoot audition. Maybe I will get my face in the magazines.”
Katheryn nodded as Rosa rambled on about stylists and makeup. Suddenly, she noticed Antonio was staring at Rosa with a horrified look on his face. She wondered what was wrong with him then remembered she hadn’t introduced her friend.
“Rosa de Leon, I lost all my manners. This is Antonio Santiago, a friend of mine,” Katheryn said and gestured in Antonio’s direction.
Rosa laughed. “We know each other.”
She walked around the table and gave Antonio a peck on the cheek. He barely acknowledged her with a nod and continued to stare at them both.
“Tell me,bella, how did you two meet?” Rosa asked.
But when she settled in the seat next to Antonio, he scooted as far from her as possible. Katheryn frowned at his rudeness but settled in her own seat across the table.
“He’s friend’s with my—” Katheryn caught herself. She’d almost said 'Soul Mate', but she wasn’t sure if Rosa knew their origins. She probably did, considering the familiar way with which she had greeted Antonio. Katheryn suspected she should use the term in acknowledgement of being a big part of Ignacio’s life, but it still felt weird to her.
“He’s friends with my boyfriend,” Katheryn said. It was the simplest explanation.
Rosa’s eyes widened and twinkled mischievously. “Boyfriend? Oh, you’ve been busy,hermosa.Tell me, is it the American hunter you told me about? Or have you found a Spanish man to warm your heart?”
Katheryn laughed. “Well, I’m not with Hunter anymore. He’s out of my life for good.”
“So a Spaniard then?” Rosa asked, leaning forward expectantly.
Katheryn blushed but was spared from having to answer when everyone came back to their table. She smiled in relief at Ignacio as he slid into the chair next to her, handing her the plate of food and her drink.
“Here you are, love,” Ignacio said cheerfully, then stopped when he caught sight of Rosa. In fact, the whole table had grown quiet. Katheryn noticed everyone staring at Rosa as if her friend were a ticking bomb.
But, if Rosa noticed their reactions, she said nothing. She smiled at Ignacio, her brown eyes shining. “Ignacio.”
“So you two already know each other?” Katheryn asked. “Well, that saves the introductions I guess. This is my boyfriend.”
Rosa’s smile faltered. “Boyfriend? Ignacio Ortiz is your boyfriend?”
Katheryn raised an eyebrow at the woman’s disbelieving tone. “Yes,” she replied, slipping her hand into Ignacio’s. “Yes, he is.”
20
Rosa kept her expression blank as she watched the couple. Everyone at the table conversed casually, but she barely registered their words. Shock froze her in place. Ignacio’s friends had been shooting her uncomfortable looks from the moment they’d seen her at their table, but she paid them little mind.
All she cared about was Ignacio.
But all he seemed to care about was Katheryn.
Rosa watched with envy as Ignacio wrapped his arm around Katheryn’s shoulder, pulling her closer to him. Occasionally, he’d press a kiss to her temple, to her cheek or to her lips. Then they’d look into each other’s eyes, communicating silently. They acted as if they’d known each other for years, as if they were a married couple.
Rosa felt her heart shatter.
Ignacio had never looked at her that way. He’d never wrapped his arms protectively around her, had never kissed her among his friends. Then again, he’d always been distant with her. The only romantic thing they’d shared was that night in her bed.
She’d known, when she’d taken him home, what he had been after. He’d told her he’d wanted a one-night stand and nothing more. She’d lied when she said that’s all that she’d wanted, too. But she’d been so sure she could change his mind once he had gotten to know her. Once he’d realized how passionate she was, how honest and determined, he would never let her go.
So she had tried. She’d done everything to please him, to meet up with him afterwards, to get him to love her.
But he hadn’t budged.
And now, Ignacio was giving loving looks to another, sharing sweet words. Words that should have been hers. Looks that should have been for her. It hurt to see her efforts had been in vain, that he really didn’t care about her.
Yes, he’d never promised her anything, but she had hoped with all of her heart he would see the error of his ways and would want her. But now, it was too late. Katheryn had sunk her claws into him.
