Page 58 of Clueless Romeo

The quick response seemed to backfire because her eyes narrowed as she whispered, "Bullshit."

A rumbling laugh boomed in my chest. "Mrs. Walden, did you just bust out with a cuss word?"

She waved her hand. "When I smell it, I call it."

I sobered as she returned my card. "Maybe once."

The wise woman grinned knowingly. "And thisonce, is she a past flame or new one?"

Nosy old bat. "Talking to you is like being interrogated by the motherly version of the FBI, you know that?"

Her grin broadened. "New then. Well, tell me. Who is this girl?"

I hesitated. Calling CJ a girl didn't feel right. But of all the people I could out myself to, Mrs. Walden, the queen of badgering, didn't sound pleasant. "You wouldn't know them."

"Not what I asked," she tutted. "I'm glad to see someone has broken through that icy heart of yours."

I shot her a mock scowl. "Icy? That's not very nice."

She glanced behind me at the line and slid the cups toward me. "You're lucky I'm busy, or we'd continue this conversation."

"I have no doubt." I snorted.

She gave me a reprimanding look. "One last thing. Do yourself a favor, huh? Don't self-sabotage, okay? If this girl has thawed thatnot-icyheart of yours, let her."

I paused, considering her words. "I may not have a choice. He's not ready for a serious relationship. I'm not sure I am either."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "He?"

I froze, my heart kicked up, and my stomach hollowed. "I meant—"

"It's okay, Roman. You meanthe." She nodded thoughtfully when I remained mute.

I swallowed hard. "I have to get back. I have a client who's probably waiting."

"Off you go." She aimed a finger at me. "But I better see you again, soon. I have questions."

A smile attempted to break free even as I was feeling more nervous and unsure than ever before. "Of course you do. I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Mrs. Walden."

"He, she, doesn't matter. I meant what I said. You give him a real chance. Even if he's not looking for anything serious, flowers bloom in untilled gardens all the time." She shooed me away when I simply blinked at her. "Well, you're going to be late if you don't get moving, and you've now backed up my line."

Taking the blame with a gracious nod, I bowed away from the counter, passing frustrated customers on my way out.

As I made my way back to my office, I was so lost in my thoughts and the fact that I'd basically come out to Mrs. Walden that I'd forgotten an important detail.

When I stepped into the lobby, I was met by a tall man flashing me a cocky grin. Nate stepped forward, holding out his hand in greeting. "You're good at this, Roman. And you were right. I like CJ."

My stomach bottomed out again, and a sickening feeling rushed through my blood as I shook his hand. "Go ahead and take a seat in my office. I'll be right there, and you can fill me in."

Seventeen

Roman

Nate lookedsharp in a pair of pressed dark jeans and a crisp black button-down shirt. The white-gold watch around his wrist was obviously expensive, and the cologne drifting from him screamed money.

A blinding white smile stretched his well-defined cheekbones, and he winked as he lowered to the chair in front of my desk. "Roman Love, you're looking good as usual."

I suppressed an eye roll at the comment. He was a harmless flirt and genuinely looking to settle down, but I was still uneasy seated across from the man CJ had gone on a date with. "Nice to see you, Nate. How's your sister?"

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