Page 39 of Loving Roman
Oops. I completely forgot my manners. “Gloria, this is Roman. Roman, this is my boss, Gloria.” They move closer, exchanging greetings.
Gloria tilts her head to the side a little. “Not Roman Armstrong fromThe Parkerville Projecthome?” She looks between me and Roman expectantly, and my heart lurches.
This will be the moment she reconsiders the accuracy of my report, and I lose my job. My stomach twists. I should have been transparent and told her about my budding relationship.
I swallow past the boulder-sized lump in my throat and nod. “Yes, this is the same man.”
Her eyes widen a little along with her mouth. “Now I understand why your report was so thorough. You were careful to ensure there was no room for an accusation of a conflict of interest.”
The tension across my shoulders evaporates with her approval.
Roman steps closer, offering his support. “Alice has treated the situation with Jack and the girls with the utmost professionalism.”
Gloria’s eyes flick between the two of us. “I can see that. I was just speaking with Alice about her report and my feelings regarding the matter. I was disappointed the school didn’t do more to protect its students.”
Roman pushes his shoulders back further, and his grin grows. “Well, funny you should say that. I received a call this morning with some great news.”
Gloria and I both give Roman our full attention. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Principal Jacobs has been relieved of his position as of this morning. The boys have also been expelled. The superintendent was furious with the way the matter was dealt with and stepped in. Apparently, there are protocols in place within the department for situations involving bullying, assault, sexual exploitation, and the like. The current vice principal has been temporarily promoted to the principal’s role until the position can be advertised and filled permanently. It seems Oliver’s lawyers were swift and decisive.”
Relief washes over Gloria’s face, and I blow out a long breath. “Well, that should have been the immediate response. I’m glad righteousness prevailed,” Gloria says, and I nod in agreement.
“Me too. We dropped the lawsuit against the school, but the boys have also been formally charged with sexual exploitation. I discussed it with Oliver and Marcus and felt it was important to take the extra step to ensure the boys get the support they obviously need. We feared that if we didn’t take action, they’d slip through the cracks, and who knows how their behavior would have evolved as they grew.”
A smile touches my lips as pride fills my heart for this man. Of course, he’s thinking about the safety of the girls in his care, as well as girls in general, but he’s also trying to help the boys who did the wrong thing.
“You’re right. The boys definitely need counseling, and the seriousness of the situation should be reflected in the punishment and action taken,” I tell him.
Gloria smiles at Roman. “I’m glad the kids have you as their advocate.” Her grin grows wider. “I don’t suppose you’d give that up and come work for me?”
Roman laughs and shakes his head from side to side. “Not a chance.”
“Damn.” She looks between me and Roman. “I guess you two should head out for lunch, then.”
“Thanks, Gloria. Would you like me to bring you back a sandwich?”
She heads toward her office. “No thanks. I’m heading out shortly. I have a hankering for some soup today.”
As soon as we clear my building, Roman tugs me around the corner, presses me up against the wall, and kisses the breath out of me. He pulls back, touching his forehead to mine. “Hey.”
My smile grows, as it always does when I’m with him. “Hey.”
“It was so hard to keep my hands to myself and not kiss you in front of your boss,” he huffs out.
“It was tough for me, too.” I pat his chest. “I appreciate your restraint.” I press up to kiss him again. We kiss for long minutes, tasting each other until a throat clears nearby, startling us apart.
“Enjoying your lunch?” Gloria asks with a smirk.
Embarrassment steals my ability to respond, but Roman doesn’t miss a beat. “Absolutely. She’s delicious,” he tells my boss without taking his eyes from mine.
Gloria bursts out laughing as she backs away from us. “That may well be, but you should feed your woman. I’ve noticed she gets grumpy if she misses lunch.”
She walks away with a wink, leaving us alone. My cheeks heat further, and I’m not sure how I’m going to face her after lunch. Roman gently cups my face in his hands. “I know this isn’t the most romantic of places, but I can’t hold the words in any longer.” His dark brown eyes lock with mine. “I love you, Alice.”
His heartfelt words fill all the empty spaces in my heart.
They mend the cracks in my soul.
