Page 56 of Before I Say I Don't
Relief uncoiled through him, warm and quiet.
“Some wins deserve cake… especially yours.” Roman’s voice brushed over me from behind, low and certain. “Sorry it’s two weeks later. I would’ve celebrated with you the night of, but…”
“I understand. Thank you,” I expressed, meaning more than I said.
I slid into my seat, eyes widening at the plate in front of me.
The lamb chops were seared to a golden perfection, their edges crisped just right. The fluffy mashed potatoes were whipped into a cloud-like silk, and bright green asparagus stood like proud exclamation points, adding a pop of color to the elegant arrangement.
"This looks so yummy," I gushed, practically salivating at the sight.
Roman’s lips curled into a playful smirk as he sank into the chair opposite me.
“’Preciate it.”
“You actually cooked all of this?” I asked, arching an eyebrow, genuinely impressed.
“Hell yeah,” he said, his grin broadening. “You can call meChef Hill Ramsey. Don’t let the lawyer title fool you, girl.”
I burst into laughter, elongating the word with amusement. “Okaaaaaay.”
We bowed our heads for a moment of gratitude, whispering a quiet prayer before I took my first bite. Cutting into the tender chop was like slicing through a perfectly executed apology. It was so exquisitely flavored that it almost felt like a heartfelt conversation. The mashed potatoes melted in my mouth, buttery and rich, while the asparagus snapped cleanly with each bite, as if it had something to prove.
“And you still want me to believe you’re single?” I teased.
That grin again. “Iwasengaged before,” he confessed, his tone steady and unruffled. “Two years ago.”
My fork hovered in midair, surprise washing over me.
“Engaged?”
He nodded slowly, taking a deliberate sip of deep red wine before placing the glass back on the table with measured care.
"Her name was Jessica. She craved the glitz and glamour—the events, fancy brunches, the perfect photos, a ticket to a lifestyle and the unending media attention… but not me. I wanted a genuine connection… a real partner. Eventually, we realized we were living in two different worlds, so… we parted ways,” he simply explained, shrugging as if the whole chapter was just a minor plot twist in his life.
Something in me softened. “I’m starting to see the same thing about my fiancé,” I vented, the words tumbling out before I had a chance to veil them in politeness. “He loves the ‘look’ of us—thepicturesquecouple everyone admires—than with the actual effort it takes to sustain our relationship.”
Roman’s deep gaze locked onto mine, a mix of sympathy, understanding, and a bit of rage flickering in his eyes. “I was hoping you’d never have to say that out loud.”
“Never thought I’d find myself saying it,” I muttered, my frustration spilling over as I rolled my eyes at the mere thought of Viangelo.
I took a long sip of the rich, cabernet wine, letting its velvety texture ease my nerves.
“Speaking of, what did he have to talk to you about today?”
Roman leaned forward, his forearms pressing against the polished surface of the table.
“Kamira,” he started, his voice low and earnest, “there's something I’ve gotta tell you. I’ve been wrestling with my thoughts about it all day.”
Every nerve in my body snapped to attention, a mix of curiosity and apprehension swirling within me.
“Alright… I'm listening.”
His gaze bore into mine.
“I want to clarify that I’m not coming from a place of jealousy or ulterior motive.” His voice stayed level, but I could hear the caution in it. “But there’s no way I can watch you walk to an altar with a bag of lies on your back.”
“Roman…” I managed to say, my heart racing as I processed the gravity of his statement.
