Page 20 of Breakaway

“It’s not about appearances for me.” Nevaeh turns around and leans against the glass, staring off into the distance. “I’ve dated men and women, and I never really defined which I like more or what attracts me to them. It’s more about their vibes, and the emotions they bring me.”

“And you say everyone has a type?” I turn to my right, propping my shoulder against the glass to get a better look at her. “But you don’t?”

A gentle grin dances across her lips, and she cocks her head, meeting my gaze. “You have a point. Though, the more I think about it, the more I believe it’s really about attraction on a deeper level. When you just know you both are on the same wavelength.”

Before I can stop myself, I ask a question that’s been hanging on the tip of my tongue. “Were you and Travis like that?”

Her smile falls. The tension in her shoulders becomes evident. Then she sighs, and her hands slide down the skirt of her dress, as if trying to smooth invisible wrinkles. “Maybe at first…” She shakes her head, her hair veiling her shoulders. “Damn, Roman, you’re good. Turning the conversation around without me even realizing. Fine, let’s pretend I believe you. You don’t have a type.”

My gaze coasts around her face, admiring the smooth, radiant glow of her skin. Her little upturned nose and those full, tantalizing lips, the sprinkle of freckles on her nose and cheeks. Her big, sapphire eyes framed by long eyelashes and softly curved eyebrows. She’s not wearing a lot of makeup tonight, and still…she’s breathtakingly beautiful.

She wants to know what my type is? She just needs to look at herself in the mirror.

“I’m paying for your drinks tomorrow,” she suddenly exclaims, and I frown. “I don’t feel comfortable having you pay for everything. You promised to let me pay for something, and yet dinner was on you.”

A smirk plays on my lips. I push myself off the glass and stop in front of her. Nevaeh cranes her neck, and our gazes smash together. I press my hands to the glass next to her face, crowding her in my embrace, and lower my head.

“I invited you on a trip last minute. You just broke up with your boyfriend and need to rent an apartment, and most landlords require a security deposit. I know you can pay fordinner, drinks, or anything else we decide to do while we’re here. That doesn’t mean you should have to,” I say with a smile. “Besides, my mom taught me that if I invite a girl somewhere, I should be the one to pay. And I hate disappointing my mom.”

Nevaeh gazes at me in silence; her chest rises and falls rapidly. Suddenly, a genuine smile breaks across her face, and she dips her head to the side, her hair brushing my hand. “Your mom raised a good man.”

“She did. My mom is the best.”

Her gaze becomes distant, and her smile slips away. But then she quickly recovers, the corners of her mouth quirking up. Taking a step forward, she grabs my tee in her fist and pulls me closer to her. “I’m still paying for something tomorrow. Anything. Drinks or food.” She tugs on my T-shirt, and I lower my head even more, so our foreheads are almost touching. “If I need to fight you on this, I will. Am I clear, Roman?”

“Very.” I nod, swallowing down my nerves. Her closeness affects me in the worst—or best—way possible. My skin heats up, the beating of my heart skyrocketing within milliseconds.

Letting go of my T-shirt, Nevaeh steps back. The next thing I know, she’s standing with her back to me, watching as our pod starts to descend.

Tomorrow will be…interesting.

1 ????? (cuss word) — Fuck

Chapter 9

The Source of All My Problems

NEVAEH

The buzzingof my phone wakes me up. I sit up in bewilderment, squinting to my right and quickly grabbing my phone from the nightstand to silence it. It’s only nine a.m., but it’s Angie, and she wouldn’t be calling if it wasn’t important. Tossing my blanket aside, I get out of bed and glance at Roman. He’s asleep on his belly, hugging the pillow and looking incredibly cute with his disheveled hair falling into his eyes. A smile curves my lips, and I silently tiptoe to the chair beside the window.

“Hey, Angie,” I say quietly, pressing my phone to my ear.

“Hey, Nev. Did I wake you up?”

“Yeah, but it’s fine. It was time for me to get up anyway.” I slump down into the chair and pull my legs to my chest. “How are you?”

“We’re going to Paris tomorrow,” she blurts on an exhale. “I’m nervous.”

“Why?” Pinching my brows together, I bite my bottom lip. She’s been dating Drake for a year, and the guy is the epitome of a family man. He loves his niece, and he always makes time for his friend Colton’s daughter, who is his goddaughter. He’s kind, loyal, and he adores Cooper, even if he’s never really had greatexperiences with dogs. The guy is perfect, and I can’t think of a single reason he’d be unhappy about Angie being pregnant.

She laughs. “I don’t know.”

“Angie,” I chuckle, shaking my head. “Everything is going to be alright. You’re going to your favorite city with your favorite person, and you’re about to tell him that he’s going to be a dad. Trust me, I have a good feeling about this.”

“Thank you, Nev. I needed to hear that.”

“That’s what friends are for, honey.”

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