Page 21 of Roman & Olivia
“Hey, none of that. It was innocent enough.”
“Nothing is innocent when it comes to that guy.”
Her head whipped around as her hand remained on the handle. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Roman scrubbed his jaw. “I don’t know, Liv. I’m beginning to think we’re going about this all wrong. Maybe we should stage the breakup now?—”
She released the door handle and spun to face him fully. “Not yet. We can’t do it until I’m sure.”
He didn’t look at her. His mood had grown increasingly sober the closer they’d gotten to her apartment. Something was wrong. She could see it in the tired lines of his face.
“Are you still upset that he’s showing an interest in me while I’m ‘taken’?” She used air quotes.
“Yeah. I am. But it’s…morethan that.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked quietly.
He shrugged. For an earth-shattering moment, she thought he might actually tell her what was bothering him so she could ease his concerns. But then he shrugged. “Nothing. You’re right. This was the plan from the start. It’s working. I won’t be the one to mess up a sure thing.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She nodded and reached for the door handle. When he moved to get out, she shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m a big girl. I can walk myself?—”
He didn’t wait for her to finish her statement before he shoved the door open and stalked around the truck. Roman opened the door and helped her out, then walked her to the door. The last thing he did was press a kiss to the crown of her head. “Goodnight, Liv,” he whispered.
“Goodnight.”
9
Roman
Roman glared at his reflection while gripping the edge of the bathroom counter. “What iswrongwith you?” he muttered.
He hung his head and closed his eyes, but all he could see was the way Mason looked at Olivia like she was his next snack.
She was right. He was quickly showing an interest in her that went beyond friendship. According to her, he was talking with her more at work, too. All of it was above board—so no, Roman couldn’t accuse him of trying to get her to cheat on her boyfriend.
And yes, he knew that sounded weird even to him. Because they weren’t dating.
Roman had as much of a claim on Olivia as Mason did at this point. They were playing a part—both of them.
But only one of them was falling in love.
He slammed a fist down on the countertop and the bottles beside the sink rattled. Shoving away from the counter, heyanked his T-shirt from the hook where he’d hung it so he could shave, and he pulled it down over his head.
These feelings he was having for Olivia weren’t appropriate. And he refused to accept that he really was falling in love.
Affection. Loyalty. Friendship.
Yes. Those were the words that described his dedication to his best friend.
But love?
Not a chance.
Worry. That was a concept he was willing to label these uncomfortable, gut-wrenching feelings as. He was worried for Olivia when it came to Mason because even though he looked good on paper, there was just…something. Something was off about the guy. He was too… nice.
Roman headed down the steps and out to the barn.
Too nice?
