#Marguerite is about to show her real colors and juliet will just see what rome means

[clubsmarties]

"That's an understatement," he laughed seeing as he could do so now. "But it was mostly for her, she's a bit of a celebrity. Well, her parents are and they're extremely paranoid too. When she found out I was coming home they thought it was the perfect opportunity to lay low." As he said that he started to shake his head. Publicity was a tricky thing and an image rebranding was eye roll worthy. "I don't know if small town life is really for her." Rome wished he could say what this marriage was really about but he couldn't. At least not yet and would forever wonder how he ever got roped into this debacle. "My favorite parts of the day were your fun facts." The idea of seeing Juliet at the ranch made his smile widen. "I'd really like that. Come by any time. Usually I'm there every day. Except for today, obviously." he pointed out with a chuckle.

"Oh, come on. I really want to hear about it. That list of bad decisions is already intriguing." Rome teased, thinking of the silliest things she could have gotten into. "Indulge me please." Baby blue hues looked in her direction trying to work their magic to get her to comply. Something about hearing Juliet being single made him relieved. Not that this was something he could pursue but for now he was relieved to hear. "Trust me sometimes I'd love to be out of this mess. It's not all that's cracked up to be." His eyebrows quirked as he let that sink in. "Road trip for two? I'm game but you gotta let me pick the music."

He had a giddy grin hearing she missed him. "The papers didn't give me justice. They always got my ears wrong." A little playful grin shot her way as he laughed. "I hated the interviews honestly. They were never focused on the actual sport but on the features. Who was the latest conquest. Sex sold apparently." His fingers made air quotes as he sighed.

"Why don't you believe me? I'm serious. If I had the choice, this would be our cake testing." The way his heart thumped out of its socket everytime his eyes caught sight of her beautiful shimmering eyes was unlike any other feeling. "No, more like to make sure she looks good after her scandal rocked the palace. Publicist suggested to show her vulnerable side. What would be more vulnerable than a wife and a happy go lucky rich girl turned small town household normie. We don't match personality wise. Physical is all the camera needs to sell it."

"I'd never forget something so deeply personal about you." he whispered as he scooted his hand over to take a bite and chuckled at her love show for the chocolate cake with buttercream. One bite in and he hummed. He licked his lips and nodded in agreement. "How does that taste so good?"

"Small towns do have their charm, I can see that." She shrugged before her attention turned back to Rome. "Oh, the whole package with the personal security thing. Makes sense though, I'm sure you had your fair share of crazy fangirls." A laugh escaped her, shaking her head. "Sounds about right, only you would befriend your security detail." Given enough time, Juliet was sure that Rome could befriend anyone in the world. "Well, they do say home can be a place or a person. Maybe, homesickness is subsiding with your girl. New sights always sounds fun. I would love to travel the world. Hey! I always saved you the best fun facts." Her smile was warm, thoroughly enjoying how she spoke about his mom. That was always sweet to hear. "I wouldn't doubt it. Can't blame her for being a proud mama though." Juliet heard the weight of his words, and she was inclined to believe that he was telling the truth about being back, and being home. "Well, I’m sure they love you. Especially if they offered you a job, that's amazing! It means I know where to find you too now, just for a quick visit."

Juliet shook her head, realizing now that bringing up that St. Patricks thing was a road to embarrassment. "There is a story there, with just a funny list of bad decisions," she admitted with a chuckle. He wasn’t serious about wanting to hear it, right? Or maybe. She was curious too, about all the stories he had collected while away. “Okay, maybe I’ll tell you some other time. Oh, now I see the real reason I got an invite. You’re going to put me on kitchen duty.” Her words were laced with amusement, finding her smile would not budge. Rome popping back up was a surprise she didn’t expect, but his eagerness to bring her into his life? That was even more unexpected. “I’ll have to ask her, but I’m sure she’ll be happy to. She is always looking for someone to chat with, spends hours at the grocery store. Three?” Why would they need…oh, right. Delayed, but Juliet caught on to the question. “No, just two plates. Haven’t been as lucky as you in the romance department,” she commented with a small nudge. “That’s good, I’m glad you’re looking out for yourself. That sounds like a longish trip. I’m sure you don’t need it, but if you ever need a ride, well I’m around. That’s terrible, I’m sorry to hear. You’re right though, the important thing is you’re alive and okay. Leaving her alone is not an option, oh she’d riot.”

Juliet's smile tugged on her lips, shaking her head at his comment. When had he ever said no? It was meant to be a teasing question, Juliet knew that, but part of her thought back to being friends in school. How she had, sort of, asked him to not go so far away. Silently pleading that he didn't leave. But, she didn't bring it up. "No getting mad, please remember that if something goes wrong while I plan your wedding." She turned to look at him, her brown eyes shining with a gleam as she processed his words. Juliet shouldn't be reading too much into it, or reading it at all. "I've missed you too, it was weird to just not have you around anymore. Well, we did have you around. The articles and the interviews, but it was not the same." Juliet's smile returned as he thanked her, knowing it was not necessary. This is what she loved doing, the company was a bonus. "No, come on. Are you kidding me? And, leave you with all the fun? No way." Juliet's face was warm, burning with a flush she couldn't help. "Stop it," lightly patting his arm. "Now you're just messing with me." It was the kind of thing she didn't want to dwell on, marrying her as a dream, no. Not when she had been hopelessly in love with him for the longest time. Redirecting the conversation back to his fiancee was the reality check Juliet needed. "Really? That's surprising. Most brides love all of this, a little too much, to be honest." The amount of times they came in with their thick binders and ready to take over her job was endearing. Or so she told herself. "Okay, true on the carbs thing, I guess. Everyone one does freak out about fitting in their dress. For show, you mean with the big wedding request?"

Juliet watched as the attendant brought out a tray with a variety of samples. German chocolate, carrot, red velvet, confetti, and everything in between. "I did request all the samples, in case you guys didn't have an idea. Very few couples know the flavor they want from the get go. Every single one? We better leave this place with a decision then." Her grin widened, fairly shocked that he still remembered that. "There's no way you remember that, but yes, coconut love never dies." With the tray in front of them, she reached for the first sample - a slice of chocolate cake with buttercream. Taking the first bite, she hummed happily. "Oh my god, this one is delicious. You've gotta try it. Here," she pushed the plate towards him, still reveling in the sweet buttercream.