Follow Your Heart (Catalina Cove #4) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,36
her head. “No. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t. I have no feelings for Tanner.”
“Didn’t you say last week that although he was the guy your great-grandmother had chosen for you, he didn’t have a clue?”
“That was last week. I have since learned that after Tanner mentioned to Blade that he’d run in to me, Blade gave him a heads-up about him being the man my great-grandmother had chosen for me to marry. I understand that freaked him out and he intends to put as much distance between us as possible. Now I know why Tanner hasn’t made good on that rain check to take me to dinner.”
She took a sip of coffee and said, “He’s operating on the premise that under no circumstances will he marry me. I get that, and I’m truly not surprised with that decision. Nolan behaved the same way with Ivy. That’s why it doesn’t bother me about all the women he’s probably spending time with. What he does before we acknowledge our love for each other is his business. He is free to do whatever he wants.”
Roman nodded slowly, as if pondering her words. “And what about you, Victoria? Is what you do before the two of you acknowledge your love for each other your business, as well? Are you free to do whatever you want?”
Victoria thought about his question. While growing up, it always bothered her that the men in the family operated on the assumption it was okay to have double standards. They had tried monitoring whomever she and her sister Lindsay were dating, but hadn’t given a flip about her brothers or single male cousins. They thought the more women they dated, the better. She didn’t like the idea of double standards then and she didn’t like it now.
“Yes, I’m free to do whatever I want. The way I see it, until I get a ring on my finger, all we have is Mama Laverne’s assumption that we will one day get married and live happily ever after. And another thing—I won’t accept Tanner’s ring until I’ve fallen in love with him. He definitely has his work cut out for that to happen.”
Victoria checked her watch. “As much as I’ve enjoyed breakfast with you, I need to leave for the drive to work. What are your plans for today if you aren’t going fishing?”
“I think I might just stroll around town and do some sightseeing. I understand there’s a Jean Lafitte museum in walking distance of here with some interesting exhibits.”
“There is. I visited there my first month here and liked it. Catalina Cove has some pretty interesting history. It’s probably one of the most diverse places in the United States.”
“You’re going to have to tell me all about it tomorrow night when I see you. When should I expect you?” he asked.
“When do you want me?” Too late, she realized how that question might have sounded. She quickly amended, “When do you want me to show up at your place?”
He met her gaze. “I thought we could do dinner first at one of the restaurants on the pier and then go to my boat afterward. Text me tomorrow for an idea of what you want to eat.”
“That sounds good. The primary color for tomorrow’s fireworks is blue. I can’t wait to see it.”
He smiled at her. “Neither can I.”
* * *
“JOHN? DO YOU have anything for me?” Audria asked the man who’d called.
“Yes. The phone call was made from a coastal town in Louisiana called Catalina Cove. It’s about an hour drive from New Orleans.”
Audria decided that made sense since the last time Roman had been seen in public had been when he’d done that television interview in New Orleans last week. “I want you to send one of your guys there. Let me know if Senator Malone is spending time with someone or by himself. Take pictures.”
“Will do.”
Audria ended the call. If Roman was with someone—a woman—she was determined to find out what woman thought she could replace her. That wouldn’t be happening. When he made it to the White House, she, and no other woman, would be by his side. In time, he would come to see just how much he needed her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“IT’S BEAUTIFUL, ISN’T IT, Roman?”
Roman shifted his gaze from Victoria to the fireworks. Tilting his head back, he agreed. “Yes, it’s beautiful.” But then he thought she was beautiful, too. Even while wearing a cute baseball cap.