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As soon as they were gone Amara asked, "Are you two really engaged?"
Marista shook her head. "No, honey we're not."
" . . . but we could be." Paulie said and kissed her in front of everyone.
Marista felt his warmth. It was delicious and she kissed him back. "We need to talk later." She said, feeling dizzy and mind blown.
"Yeah! That's hot!" Meranda said now coming over with Mikey.
"The devil and his twins came over like two minutes ago." Amara said to them.
Meranda's face soured and her lips twitched in disgust.
"Oh, Paulie told dad that he and mom are engaged." Then she added, "but they're not." Then added, "which sucks." Amara sighed in sadness. She wanted her mom to be happy.
Moe and I were now coming over to the table. "We were having some drinks at the bar."
Mermista looked up, "Yeah, you bailed on me and went to drink."
I felt awful in that moment. "Sorry, my love. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
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"Let's go dance." I put my drink down and grabbed her hand.
Mermista was happily shocked. "That's my guy!" She said and went with him. "I've got some stuff to tell you!"
Jordan sat down with Marika. "Here I got some deserts." He kissed her face.
There were brownies, cake samples, some stuff he didn't know but looked good.
Marika smiled. "Yes! Thanks, babe." She kissed him back.
Marista took Paulie's hand, "Let's go talk." They left the main room and went down the hallway to the left. They heard laughter coming from one of the rooms. The sign on the closed door said CARD GAMES.
"Does that mean gambling?" Paulie asked.
Marista smiled. "You betcha." She laughed.
Paulie laughed too and they walked to the end of the hallway. "It was hilarious to see the look on Donovan's face." He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. "I'd say it all over again."
Marista was smiling to herself. "I'll never forget the look on his face either."
Paulie came closer. "I really wanna kiss you again."
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Marista sighed and looked away. "Why are you making me fall for you?"
Paulie's fingers touched her arm, " . . . because I'm falling for you too. We could be happy, Marista." He whispered.
Marista pulled away. "Before anything else happens I really do need to tell you a secret."
Paulie leaned against the wall. "Okay, I'm listening."
Marista felt a little nervous, but told him a truth of hers. "Donovan's twins are eighteen. Amara is seventeen." She began. "Veronica was pregnant when he hurt me."
Paulie stood up straight. His features now held anger. "Are you telling me he forced himself on you?"
Marista nodded and tears fell down her face. "Yes. It wasn't just once. He forced himself into me a lot during our relationship. It wasn't like that in the beginning. After two years of being married to him, well he began to change. He was losing interest in me, but not my body."
