Page 215 of Bride of Choice
Rosa just blinked at me, a constipated look overtaking her expression. My god, did she know his real name? Was it that bad?
“Whatever it is, I don’t wanna know.” I gave her the out she looked like she needed. Taking a seat at my table, I placed my elbows on the smooth top, smacking my face into my hands. “I don’t think I can handle any more surprises right now.”
Rosa came around the table and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. Resting her cheek on the top of my head, she gave me a squeeze. “Wanna talk about any of it?”
“No,” I mumbled into my hands.
“That bad?” she asked.
“You have no fucking idea,” I whispered.
“Noyel let it slip that Gopher was trying to court you but he, uh, discovered he had a little problem…” Her voice trailed off and she waited a moment before continuing. “I hear little things here and there but I never know what’s silly rumors or legit. I try and let it go in one ear and out the other.”
“Don’t be surprised if a shit ton of it wasn’t steeped in truth,” I blurted, face reddening as I grumbled under my breath about gossipy bitches. “Except for the poop rumors. I’ve eaten shit, but never literally.”
Rosa’s body shook above me. I knew she was quietly laughing her ass off. Once she got a hold of herself, she lifted off of me to join me at the table. Unpacking the basket, she split everything evenly between us. Warm bread, butter, Dorothy’s much coveted stew.
One bite in and I sighed. “I don’t know what she does to this but I’m not buying that “It’s made with love” line. She’s got some kind of special blend of herbs and spices or something hidden away going on. I can’t replicate this to save my life!”
“I know, right?” Rosa nodded along as she shoved another bite into her mouth and chewed. She took a few more bites before casually tossing out there, “So… you wanna tell me what I almost walked up on earlier?”
“I’d rather die,” I deadpanned, grimacing.
A choked snort laugh left her. “Noyel said you, uh, had a moment with, uhm, Rek… and then there you were, hanging out his window today.”
“Stuck in the window.” Closing my eyes, I admitted, “I was trying to get out through it.” Much quieter, I mumbled, “Total TMI ahoy but, uh, he had a happy moment in his sleep and woke up accusing me of trying to make a baby with him… erm, without him.”
Rosa nearly choked her bite of stew. “Beg pardon?”
“I know.” Shaking my head, I muttered, “Believe me, I know.”
Rosa sat there blinking stupidly for a full minute. “That’s… I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Same,” I mutteringly replied.
“Rek and you, for real, huh?” she murmured softly.
Staring down into my bowl, I cleared my throat. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want to hurt you, or make you think I didn’t think what he did to you was beyond fucked up- I-”
Rosa’s hand closed over mine where I was mangling my eating utensil. “Joans, I just want you to be happy, and for whomever you choose to be with to treat you right.”
“We aren’t together, not really,” I blurted.
Rosa paused at that. “Then what are you two?”
“At an impasse.” I cringed as I said it.
Rosa’s expression pinched. “I don’t understand.”
“He wants to be with me, but he wants me to agree to do whatever he says.” My lips pursed and I scowled. My anger quickly melted into another sigh of exasperation.
“I hope you told him to shove that nonsense up his butt,” Rosa muttered.
“I did.” A small laugh escaped me. “Hence, the not so much togetherness.”
“Ah. I see.”
I really felt like she did, though.