Page 29 of Rebound
“Your knack for stating the obvious is astounding.”
My phone chimes with a text from Jules. I tilt my body way from Roman so he can’t see my phone.
Jules
Is he still there????
Lavinia
He’s in the ride share car with me right now.
Jules
Is he finally admitting he wants you?????
I low key love how many question marks she’s using. I picture her curled over the kitchen counter with a pint of ice cream next to her as she tries to get all the tea.
Lavinia
NO!
Jules
What’s taking so long???
“What can I say to make this better?” Roman asks. I can hear the sincerity in his voice, and I get the sense that he will tell me everything if I guide him in the right direction. Leading the horse to the water and what not. I must do the heavy lifting here and I’m willing to do that only because I know Roman’s never been in a relationship.
Lavinia
Hang on. We might be getting somewhere.
Turning back to Roman, I finally look at him. His face is in shadows, and I only see him clearly when we pass under a streetlight or when a passing car’s headlights flood the interior of the car.
“Why did you show up to my date tonight? And don’t tell me it’s because Benjamin doesn’t deserve me. You met him for two seconds.”
“I’m a very discerning judge of character,” Roman protests. “I don’t think you should go on a second date with him.”
The car comes to a stop at my destination. “I think you should keep your opinions about my personal life to yourself.”
Opening the door, I step out of the car and adjust my dress. I make sure to enter a custom tip amount for the driver for having to put up with our drama.
“Lavinia, the guy was talking about plaque,” Roman says. “He’s not exactly the conversationalist of the year.”
“Benjamin—”
“You don’t have to keep saying his name.”
“Well, that’s his name.”
I walk into Michel’s Bakery and Cafe, which thankfully is still open and since my date ended early, I have the time to run errands. It’s not like I have other plans tonight other than going home and watching reruns of How It’s Made.I stand at the end of the line.
“I hate the sound of another man’s name from your lips,” Roman whispers, stepping up behind me. He settles a hand on my waist, heat from his palm seeping through the material of my dress. The weight of his hand is heavy on my body and he’s close enough that his chest presses against my back.
“Why?” I whisper.
Roman groans quietly, resting his head on my shoulder. “Because I can’t stand the idea of you with another man, Lavinia. I think of another man taking you out on dates, touching you, kissing you, and it makes me want to commit several crimes.”
My blood fizzles like soda. “See, that wasn’t hard, was it?”
