Page 99 of From Rome, With Hate

“I think she went to the bathroom,” London cuts in. “But that was a while ago, before you stepped out to answer your work call.”

“Everything okay with the flower shop?” Selene asks.

“Huh.” I trail my tongue along my teeth, lost in thought. “Oh, yeah, everything is good at the shop. Have you noticed anything strange about her tonight? Julianna, I mean. She’s been acting weird, right?”

I haven’t been able to shake this feeling all night, especially with her constantly being on her phone.

Selene shrugs, her blonde ponytail swaying. “Maybe a little. But she seems happy and in a good mood, so I’m not sure what could be wrong.”

“I don’t think anything is wrong, necessarily. She just seems different.” I check over my shoulder one more time, hoping to spot her, but I don’t. I turn back to Selene and London. “I’m going to go check on her.”

“Do you want us to go with you?” Selene sets her champagne glass on the bar top.

“That’s okay.” I give her a smile, already backing away. “Finish your drinks.”

I leave Selene and London and head for the bathrooms down the darkened hallway in the far corner of the bar. After pushing through the copper door of the women’s restroom, I step inside and call for Julianna. The bathroom isn’t large, consisting of only three copper hammered sinks and three stalls opposite them. I peek around the corner of the first stall. The door is propped open, and I nudge it open with my finger.

“Julianna?” I announce again, stepping away from the first stall.

The sound of hushed giggling and heavy breaths catch my attention, drawing me to the third stall closest to the wall.

Two feet wearing gold strappy heels peek out from under the door. Behind them are two large, black shiny dress shoes.

“Oh, my God.” I giggle, crossing my arms and leaning against the sink. “Julianna Capuleti, I know you’re in there.”

Three seconds of silence, then, “I’ll be out in a second, Charleigh.”

“I also knew there was something going on with you tonight.” I push off the sink and step closer to the stall. “You couldn’t stay off your phone. Is the man in there with you also the man you’ve been texting all night?”

Silence.

“Come on,” I beg, unable to hold back the laughter. Julianna has never been one to shy away from well… anything. She’s bubbly, loud, and for a while there she was on a dating streak. But if she hasn’t shared details of the person she’s seeing now, it must be different than the others.

“I don’t know why you’re keeping this a secret from me. I’m your best friend.” I drop my clutch onto the vanity behind me. I’m probably annoying or embarrassing her, but I don’t care. I step closer, my heels clicking in the silence, and rap my knuckles gently against the door. “Come out so I can meet the man you’ve been sneaking around with for the past two months.”

The lock clicks, echoing in the vacant bathroom. I take a step back as the door swings open. Julianna’s head pops out before she’s opening the door wider.

Raising my brows, I wait as she slowly steps out. Her red lipstick has smudged and her hair is ruffled. She adjusts her skirt and runs her hands through her hair, taming the frazzled strands.

I’m quickly drawn to the man emerging out from behind her, though.

I choke on my own breath when I take in the tall, brooding, tattooed billionaire I’ve encountered only a handful of times.

“Rome?” I sputter, placing my hand on my chest, forcing myself to stop coughing. “Rome Montgomery?”

He moves to stand beside Julianna, smoothing his hand over his dark hair. Red lipstick is smeared across his mouth and jaw, but apparently, it doesn’t faze him.

Extending a hand, he offers, “Nice to finally,formally at least, meet you Charleigh. Congratulations on your recent marriage to Asher.”

“Thanks,” I mumble, shifting glances between the two. I shake his hand and stifle back a laugh after picking up my jaw off the floor. I’ve never so much as spoken to Rome before. He’s broody, mysterious, grumpy. Julianna has always called him an asshole.

Even now, he doesn’t appear the slightest bit embarrassed I’ve caught the two of them.

I wag my finger back and forth between them. “Wait, you two are seeing each other?” I look at Julianna. “Oh, my God, you two were fucking in there, weren’t you? And I interrupted you.”

Julianna’s mouth falls open, her cheeks blushing bright red. “Charleigh!”

“Sorry.” I laugh her off, raising my hands in surrender. “I mean, get it where you can get it, Jules. I’m not one to judge. I’m just trying to understand what I’m looking at here. Rome is your sworn enemy, but he’s the man you’ve been sneaking around with these past two months?”