Pining For You (Man of the Month Club)

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

ALEXI

Rosemary and I have been pushing each other, encouraging the other to be the best version of themselves, remaining positive, and working together to get this event to where it needs to be. It doubles as a new tradition for the hotel and an engagement party for Ava and Van. The best part: the event has more meaning than any of us realize. Rosemary has found the perfect way to honor her grandparents with her their tradition of a family Christmas tree.

Twinkling lights are everywhere. Ice sculptures of mermaids are scattered around the pool, which Ava loves. My family comes from Candy Cane Key to celebrate and help manage the naughty and nice list sections and keep the party going. Everyone is having the time of their lives. The guests love everything and are already booking for next year. The event is such a success, and it’s more than we could’ve anticipated.

I’m singing praises to Rosemary when her parents walk up to us. Mr. Hayes narrows his eyes and looks me up and down. “I see our princess Rosemary is in another rebellious phase.”

“Daddy!” Rosemary hisses, horrified.

What the hell does that mean? “I’m a rebellious phase?”

Rosemary shakes her head. “No.”

I thought I squished those insecurities, but hearing her father’s words has me feeling small. Rosemary takes my hand, and her touch is all the reassurance I need. This is her dad. He probably doesn’t like me. He immediately has his doubts. And this might be a tactic to scare me off or see how serious I am.

“It’s worth it to be a phase in her life than to have never been one at all.”

“You’re not a phase,” Rosemary tells me and I know she means it. But I also know I’d accept being a phase if that was all she’d give me.

She turns to her father. “I’d appreciate it if you two would start taking me seriously and show my boyfriend some respect.”

Boyfriend. Hmm. I guess boyfriend is a better label than phase . I’m proud of Rosemary for standing up to her parents and addressing her feelings on validation. I also appreciate her demanding respect for me, but my ego isn’t that fragile. I can handle it. Do I want her parents to like me? Yes, of course. But I want her to work through this for herself. For their relationship, not ours or mine with them.

“We do take you seriously,” her father defends.

Her mother’s brows pull together in concern. “We’re so proud of you, princess. You don’t know that?”

“Van has done nothing but brag on you,” her dad continues. “We have eyes. We see all you’ve done. And there’s no doubt who had the idea for the tree. It certainly wasn’t your brother. Mama is beside herself. You did a wonderful thing.”

Rosemary’s eyes get glassy. “I couldn’t have done it without Alexi.”

“Yes, you could’ve,” I tell her.

“You’re right.” Her father takes her in a hug. “I’ve made you feel this way, but it was never my intention. After the party, we need to have a long discussion on allowing you to take charge more.”

Her mother gives her a teary smile. “The truth is, we were holding you back. We want you to be our little girl forever. We’ve been selfish, baby.”

Rosemary keeps her hold on me and pulls me toward her parents. I somehow end up in a Hayes-family group hug. Her parents apologize to me, and all I do is awkwardly nod. I didn’t think we’d get to the hugging stage so quickly.

Van’s voice cuts through. “Why am I being left out of the family group hug?”

Ava wraps her arms around me. “Look at you getting hugs!”

“Not from you,” Van grumbles, and I feel her being pulled away.

He’s such a jealous dick. Then I think about if Rosemary had a close guy friend who looked like me, and… okay, I get it. But he has nothing to worry about. I turn my head to eye the most sensational woman. Rosemary Hayes is the only woman for me.

I take Rosemary’s hand and we mingle around the party. It feels good to openly hold her hand. I have her parents’ approval, so I’m not worried about what anyone else thinks. “Should we go to the naughty list or the nice list?”

“Naughty is for the singles?” Rosemary asks, and I nod. “Nice list for you. I don’t want any of those bitches on the prowl to get any ideas. After the party, you can go to my room and get put on the naughty list. I’ll have a special gift for you to unwrap.”

“Oh shit. Are we doing gifts? I didn’t know?—”

“Me! I’m the gift. You’ll unwrap me!”

“The hell he will!” Van’s voice booms, and Ava hisses at Van to calm down.

Rosemary gulps and says, “Let’s go to my room now. Bye, Van!”

Laughing like two teenagers, Rosemary and I take off in a run away from her brother.