Barbie Btch (Rejects Paradise #3) - Sheridan Anne Page 0,50
lets out a frustrated sigh, knowing me better than I know myself. “Fine,” she grumbles. “It’s Roman Jennings.”
My mouth drops. “As in Hendrix’s dad? The rich sugar daddy from the Gatsby party?”
Mom rolls her eyes. “Oh, don’t pretend that you don’t know. You and Hendrix have been plotting ever since you saw us dance at the party.”
A grin tears across my face and I watch out of the corner of my eye as Colton conceals a smirk and shakes his head. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
Mom sighs and leans back in her chair, deciding to make this conversation about my little white lies rather than the actual topic of her possibly being interested in another man apart from my father. “Out with it, Ocean,” Mom says.
My lips press into a tight line and I find myself sitting up a little straighter in my seat. “You know he’s completely smitten by you?”
“How would you know?” she scoffs. “Have you ever met the man?”
“Well, no … but I’ve met Hendrix and for some weird reason, I trust her instincts on this. She said that she’s never seen her dad like this before. Surely that must mean something? She thinks you’ll make a great couple and I’m inclined to agree with her.”
Mom fumbles over her words before stuttering out a ‘no’ and shaking her head. “It’s way too soon. Your father only passed eight months ago. I’m not even close to thinking about dating someone, especially a man like Roman Jennings. He’s so … successful. It would be very off-putting and intimidating.”
Colton scoffs under his breath. “Take it from me who’s looking at it from the other perspective,” he says, glancing at me with a slight cringe. “No offense, of course.” I roll my eyes and he glances back at mom. “Yes, he’s successful. He has a great business and from where I’m sitting, it’s only going to get bigger. Jennings is only a few years away from landing himself on one of the Forbes top ten under fifty lists, but just like me, he’s apprehensive about women and what they want from him. Every man in my position is, but you’re pure, Maria. You’re not the kind of woman who would date him for a step up in the world, you’re not interested in what he could give you and I think he sees that in you.” His eyes slice across the table to me. “It’s fucking rare and when you find it, you hold onto it with both hands. I can guarantee that if Roman thinks you’re something special, he won’t let you go. He'll wait until you’re ready.”
Mom watches Colton with tears glistening in her eyes. “I … I don’t know. It’s very soon after Lou died. I couldn't possibly entertain this idea. What would people think?”
“What does it matter what people think? It’s not like you know anyone around here anyway, and besides, it’s none of their goddamn business. If he’s going to make you happy, then I say go for it.”
Mom cringes and I sense her pulling away which only sends a barbed wire slicing through my chest. She deserves happiness, and as much as I loved my father, it’s time she knew the truth. Otherwise, she’s never going to find the strength to move on and find the happiness she really deserves.
Guilt sweeps through me and I look to Colton only to find his heavy stare already on me. Am I really going to break her heart like this and tell her the truth about dad?
Colton nods as though he can read my thoughts and I cringe a little harder. He reaches over and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s time,” he tells me before standing and collecting our empty plates. He looks down at mom. “As usual, thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”
Mom gives him a tight smile, too overwhelmed by her own thoughts to be completely on her A-game. “Always. Thank you, sweet boy. Have a good night.”
Colton places the dishes in the sink and doesn’t bother with a goodbye for me, knowing damn well that I’m going to end up back in his room as soon as I’m finished here.
I wait until he’s walked out before looking back at mom and feeling my stomach twist with nerves. How am I supposed to tell my mother the man who she loved for the last twenty years wasn’t the man she thought he was at all? This is going to