Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
After much research, Baron and I decided to go as Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Our outfits aren’t over-the-top, but I have to wear a blonde wig and Baron needs to darken his hair temporarily.
It’s a lot of work, but with the way Baron’s been ogling me since we stepped out of the car and into the hallway, I guess it’s safe to assume he likes what he sees.
You’d think after a month-long honeymoon, he’d get tired of me already. But no. The guy’s sexual appetite needs to be studied. Not that I mind. I find that it takes one look, one word, or even one simple touch for me to submit to his seduction.
This bastard.
“Happy birthday, Mimi. Your parties are still the talk of the town,” I tell her as we sit in front of her special table for family only, munching on her favorite appetizers.
Baron has excused himself to go grab us some drinks.
Mimi rests her hand above mine and squeezes it. “Thank you, dear.” She peers at me from over the rim of her glasses. “Marriage agrees with you. You look stunning.”
My mind chooses that moment to revisit all the things Baron and I did for the past month. Even today, I’m still struggling to walk straight. “It’s too soon to tell. We’ve only been married for three months.”
“I knew you’d end up together.”
“What do you mean?”
“When you introduced him to me five years ago, I knew he wasn’t your boyfriend.”
“What?!”
Mimi just laughs, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “But I knew it wouldn’t be long before you got together. It’s in the way you stared at each other.”
“Mimi…”
She gets this faraway look in her eyes as she smiles softly. “I remember when your Papi used to look at me that way too. We’d be in the middle of the crowd, and he’d stare at me just so. Like he wanted to take off my clothes right there and then.”
Heat creeps on my face. “Mimi!”
She chuckles and rests a palm on my cheek. “Sex is nothing to be ashamed of, dear. I wouldn’t have married your Papi if I didn’t want to jump him every chance I got.”
Baron returns to find me burying my face in my palms and Mimi smirking devilishly. He darts his eyes from her to me and lifts a brow. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing, Mimi and I—”
“I’ve been telling her about how much her grandfather and I did it whenever we could.”
“Did it?” Baron’s forehead furrows. Realization dawns on him, and he bursts out laughing. “Damn. Should I leave to get you harder drinks?”
“No. But you can join us. Don’t think I didn’t notice Heather walking funny.”
Horror, embarrassment, and pure disbelief war within me. Oh my God. Should we just go home? Did everyone else notice?
“Which is to be expected in honeymoons. Otherwise, what’s even the point? Play scrabble and hopscotch?” Mimi punctuates her sentence by raising a glass to us. Baron’s shoulders shake, and I’m still shocked at this turn of conversation. “To healthy marriages and even healthier appetites. You deserve the world, dear. You too, young man, for taking good care of her.”
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
BARON
“Regina came to my office crying because Anthony stole her favorite hair clip.”
Seated behind the large oak desk is Principal Melissa Ray. She was an English teacher when Heather and I attended this school.
Her salt-and-pepper hair is neatly styled in a pixie cut. A pair of red thin-rimmed glasses hang on her neck, just below a simple silver necklace.
She has always been a no-nonsense type, so I brace myself for what she’s about to say. It’s the first time Heather and I are called to her office, and while I already know nine-year-old Anthony can be a bit of a handful at times, I also know he’s a sweet, loving boy who never hurts anyone intentionally, especially girls.
Anthony makes himself smaller in his seat, eyes to the ground, hands gripping each other. My boy is guilty, I see.
Principal Melissa only reprimands him since he apologized to Regina earlier and returned her hair clip. Anthony also promises not to do it again.
I’m still so confused about so many things, so when we get inside the car, I put a hand on his small shoulder. “What was that about, son? Why did you take her clip?”
“Because she won’t talk to me.” His voice is too small and quiet, and I nearly don’t catch what he says.
“So you did that so she’ll notice you?” My gaze meets Heather’s, and she closes her eyes.