Wow. She became tongue-tied when she tried hard words that she wasn’t used to. She sipped. “I never really learned a second language though I am good at fakingSpanish.”
“Faking?”
The waiter brought the first dish before she could answer. She was never adventurous with seafood, but she needed to be more open, so she picked up her fork. Once the waiter left, she scooped some on her small plate and said, “In Miami, there is a lot of Cuban Spanish spoken. I can order food, clothes and have general “hello, can I help you” conversations though if someone starts talking about something specific, I’mlost.”
He watched her try her food as if she was fascinating. Once she swallowed, he leaned forward. “Donna, you’re honest. It’srefreshing.”
They ate their pasta and third meal flirting and starting to drink a second glass of wine. As she was halfway done with the chicken, she noticed a fake blonde with dark roots staring at her like she wanted to trade spaces. Donna tugged on her ear and motioned with her nose, “Do you know that woman overthere?”
“Over where?” He followed her move and quickly turned back to her. His cheeks seemed darker. “Ohh.”
Donna sucked in her breath as the blonde came over to their table. She swung her hip close to Donna’s face as she stared at Blackwell and said, “Oberlin, hello. You lookwell.”
He put his fork down, smiled at the woman and motioned toward Donna. “May I introduce Miss Donna Smith from America, my soon to bebride.”
His bride? She didn’t even dare hope, but this was pretend and he needed help out of a jam. Once the woman left, she’d ask for moredetails.
The woman pouted. “Oh. I didn’t know you found someone, Oberlin. I’m slightly disappointed.” She swung her other hip and backed off an inch or two though she flipped her hair. “Please call me if somethingchanges.”
Donna’s heart pounded, uncertain what to think. She waited until the woman was out of earshot and then leaned closer. “Who wasthat?”
He covered his chin and lowered his gaze. “I spent an evening with her last year. I don’t remember hername.”
Didn’t know her name? That wasn’t good at all. Donna picked up her glass of wine. She had no right to judge, but she hoped he remembered her name forever because she’d remember him. “That’s bad,Blackwell.”
He picked up his glass and confided, “At least she called me by my last name. I really hate when someone calls me Oakley. That’s my father’s title as far as I’mconcerned.”
Right. They were from different worlds. In her dreams years later, she’d remember every detail of Blackwell’s body and how she felt near him. For now, she’d not make waves. Instead she held out her glass to clink. “Well, I am happy to have been your fakefiancée.”
He toasted with her, but stared up and down her body, stopping slightly at her chest. “There is nothing fake about you, Donna. It’s what I likemost.”
She didn’t even wear makeup normally. That woman would know how to make herself look fabulous while Donna only knew the basics. She ignored the ping in her heart as she knew it wasjealousy.
Donna took a calming sip of wine. For now, she’d do whatever she wanted with no regrets. Her trip was about her, not anyone else, though she liked being with Blackwell, probably more than she should. She leaned closer and said in a seductive tone, “You can see all of me when we get back to ourroom.”
He put his napkin on the table. “I’ll order dessert to go. Let’sgo.”
The waiter brought the bill and Blackwell paid fast. His hand on her back made her hunger for him. She knew she was heading for heartache, but for now the time they had together had to beenough.
