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‘I prefer to be single,’ he said.

‘So you can beready to mingle?’ I teased, my thoughts returning to my earlier conversation with Jasmine.

‘No, because…’ He paused.

‘It’s okay,’ I jumped in. ‘I shouldn’t have asked. I was just making conversation.’

‘It is fine. I am just not looking for a relationship. Bringing other couples together is enough for me. Did you hear anything from Edward this morning?’

Hearing his name made my stomach twist. Not because I missed him. We weren’t together long and when we were, I didn’t feel the connection I’d hoped for.

I wasn’t giving up though. When Edward got back, I’d still give it my best shot.

‘Nope.’

‘I am sorry.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

‘I know, but you said he was your dream man, so I wanted it to work.’

‘I didn’t say he was mydream man,’ I added quickly. ‘I said he ticked a lot of boxes. On paper he has the qualities I was looking for. He doesn’t seem like the fuckboys I normally go for, so that’s an improvement.’

‘A fuckboy is a man who has many women?’ His brows furrowed.

‘Yeah. Like aplayer. It can also mean a man who doesn’t respect women and messes them around.’

‘Understood.’

‘I know Edward isn’t like that, but I was just hoping for more of a… spark. Y’know, like when you look at someone and get those butterflies.’

Romeo’s eyes met mine and right on cue, the flutter of a thousand butterflies filled my stomach and goosebumps erupted across my skin.

I warned my belly to calm the hell down, but the disobedient fucker ignored me and kept fluttering anyway.

‘I… I understand.’ Romeo still held my gaze. ‘But sometimes, it is not all about fireworks. Sometimes the attraction takes time to grow. And sparks can be dangerous. Sometimes when there is too much fire, you can get burnt.’

As his eyes flicked to the caves beside us, I wondered if he was talking from personal experience. Had Romeo had a bad breakup? I couldn’t see how. No woman in their right mind would kick him out of bed.

‘Yep. I’ve been burnt a lot. I’ve thought about giving up on finding the one so many times, but then I look at my parents and they remind me that true love really exists. They’ve been married for almost forty years and they’re like newlyweds. Seeing them kiss and hug used to make me cringe, but now it gives me hope.’

‘That is beautiful.’

‘Yeah.That’sthe kind of love I want. And that was what I was hoping to find when I came to the Love Hotel…’

Romeo’s face fell and I felt bad. I knew it wasn’t down to him or the hotel what had happened to me, so I hated that he felt guilty.

‘Perhaps there is still time for the hotel to work its magic.’ He gave a half smile.

Fingers crossed that Romeo was right…

19

ROMEO

If there was one thing I hated it was lies.

They caused pain, hurt and disappointment.