Page 43 of Roman & Olivia
But no. That wouldn’t make sense. Why would Roman help her win over another guy? If he had feelings for her, he would have said as much before. He definitely wouldn’t agree to a charade where she’d end up with someone else.
Olivia was crazy to think he would.
She shoved the bowl of popcorn at Roman with shaking hands, barely meeting his eyes as she got to her feet. “It’s getting late,” she murmured. Tonight had been a mistake. She should never have come in her current mindset.
“Liv—”
She flashed him a wary smile. “Sorry to cut things short. I really should get going. I have work in the morning, and your brother will probably make you get up early, too.”
Roman rose to his feet, worry etched in his face. “If you’re concerned about those guys, I’m sure they’ll stick to the kitchen.”
She laughed. “I wasn’t worried. I…” Olivia fiddled with the hem of her shirt and chanced a longing look toward the door. “I’m feeling a little off, is all.”
“Do you feel sick?”
Nodding without thinking about it, Olivia smiled once more at Roman, praying he wouldn’t press the issue.
“Then you probably shouldn’t go to work tomorrow.”
“I’ll be fine as long as I get some sleep.”
He followed her toward the door and out into the cool evening air. “Do you want me to drive you home? I can have Marcus come get?—”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.” She reached for her car door handle, but his hand pressed against the window, preventing her from opening it. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She took in a deep breath and released it. “Yes, Roman. I’m fine. Just… having an off day, you know?” Olivia forced herself to meet his eyes, and her stomach practically crashed in on itself at the look of pure concern she saw there. If only it was the kind of concern a lover would have for the person they couldn’t live without and not that of a friend. She reached out and wrapped her fingers around his wrist before squeezing it affectionately. Tonight had been eye-opening, to say the least. She definitely had some unrequited feelings for her best friend, and she didn’t know what she was going to do about it. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Roman didn’t speak right away. He didn’t move. But then he nodded sharply and stepped aside. “Tomorrow. Get some rest, Liv.”
When she finally entered her apartment, she’d already been shedding tears. Cammi jumped to her feet from where she sat on the couch, and all Olivia could do was move toward her and allow her roommate to wrap her in a hug.
“What’s wrong?” Cammi asked.
Olivia let out a teary laugh. “Oh, you know. The usual. I’m being an idiot.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cammi pulled back and gave her a hard stare.
Avoiding her gaze, she mumbled. “I think I’m falling for him.”
“Mason?”
She shook her head. “Roman.”
17
Roman
There was definitely something going on with Olivia. Roman had noticed it first when she’d shown up at his place and didn’t immediately get out of her car. He’d watched her for a good five minutes before he knocked on her window.
She’d tried to hide it from him.
Olivia had smiled. She’d teased and joked around with him, but she’d also held back. He hadn’t missed the way she didn’t immediately melt into his side like she used to, and it made him start to wonder if something had happened with Mason that she didn’t want to talk about.
Roman knew better than to try to get her to talk to him when she wasn’t ready to. He knew better than to corner her because she’d lash out or she’d crack jokes until she’d successfully changed the subject.
But then she’d looked up at him and his whole world had tilted on its axis. He’d stared into those eyes, and he’d seen afuture with her. He’d told himself if he could just kiss her, then like the magic from all those fairytales that had been written, something would shift, and she’d have to admit that they belonged together.
He’d been so close. They’d beeninchesapart. Then his rowdy siblings had to come home and spoil everything.
