Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Roman snorts. “You really think you’re capable of pretending to be someone you’re not? If you ask me, one of the best things about you is you wear your heart on your sleeve. That’s why what you said in Kauai has haunted me so much—because I never for a minute doubted what was real when it came to you. Never. The fact that you didn’t feel the same way meant I messed up really, really badly.”
“Okay, first of all,” I say playfully, “How dare you imply I’m not capable of pretending to be a mysterious femme fatale. Granted, attempting that probably would have proved difficult for me. It maybe even would have gone against my very nature to do it. But I choose to believe I can pull off anything I set my mind to.”
The side of Roman’s mouth hitches up. His dark eyes are gleaming. “I stand corrected. Forgive me. I didn’t mean to pick a fight.”
“I forgive you. But second of all, you didn’t mess up, okay? You heard your mom—there are no coincidences. Everything is happening, right on time, exactly as it should.”
Roman’s gaze drifts down to my lips, and the small channel of air between us suddenly feels charged. If Roman’s family weren’t here, would he lean in to kiss me? It feels like it. If he did, I’d surely wrap my arms around his neck and devour his soft lips like my very life depended on it.
Roman runs a finger down my forearm. “Are you free for dinner tonight?”
“Let me check my calendar. Yes.”
Roman chuckles at my silliness. “I’d be happy to take you out to Orchard Blossom’s finest eating establishment, if you’d like, but my mother is cooking tonight at the Airbnb, and she’s a fantastic cook.”
Every cell in my body jolts. Roman is inviting me to dinner with his family? “I’d never pass up a good home-cooked meal,” I say, trying to sound calm and breezy, like I’m not totally freaking out.
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’d love for Maverick to get to know you while we’re here. My parents, too, if that’s okay with you. And I think a relaxed dinner at home with you would be a great way to try to do that.”
My heart is stampeding. Racing. Thundering. An hour ago, I thought I’d never see Roman Maguire again. And now, he’s here with his son and parents, and he’s inviting me to a family dinner? It’s too much. Too fast. Am I risking total decimation here if I take this leap of faith and say yes? Am I going to wind up with a broken heart that’s even worse than the one I got with Brandon? “I’d love to get to know everyone while you’re here,” I manage to squeak out. “As long as that includes plenty of opportunities for me to get to know you. The real you.”
“That’s why I’m here, Iris.” His chest heaves. “My parents are planning to babysit Mav for me all week, whenever you’ll let me take you out on some dates. Would you be willing to do that?”
I swallow hard and nod. “That sounds nice.” And then what? The words pop into my head, but I quickly stuff them down and tell myself to take things one day at a time. One invitation at a time. Tonight, I’ll join Roman’s family dinner. For now, that’s all I need to think about.
Roman’s eyes drift to my lips. Once again, the air between us crackles in a way that makes me think Roman wants to kiss me. But before he moves or speaks, Maverick calls out to Roman.
“Daddy!” he shouts. “Look at me!”
Before turning his attention to his son, Roman lays a hand on mine on the railing. It’s a simple gesture. A G-rated one. But it sends tingles rocketing throughout my entire body, and a certain kind of pulsing announces itself between my legs.
With his hand on mine, Roman watches his son for a long moment and cheers him on. But when Maverick’s attention is drawn to something Harper is saying to him, Roman squeezes my hand underneath his, prompting me to look at him again.
“Thank you, Iris,” he says softly, holding my gaze. “Thank you for giving me a second chance to show you what I’m all about.”
Chapter 30
Roman
I squeeze Iris’s hand underneath the dinner table. I mustered the courage to grab it about twenty minutes ago, as we all started devouring the apple pie Iris brought to tonight’s dinner party, and I haven’t let go of it since.
I can’t believe I ever doubted my feelings for this woman. Or thought my feelings for her would fade after I arrived in LA and started my new life. Or, worst of all, that I ever thought I could find “someone like Iris” one day, whenever the timing happened to be better for me.