Page 71 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
She jumped at the sound of his voice like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t.
“Yeah, just needed some space.”
“Hmm.” He pressed his lips together. “Okay, spill.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hadley, I’m not Charlotte who is going to gush over whatever you tell me, but let’s face it, you’re weird today. I mean, you’re weird most days but today is special. Is it just because you’re high on finally being eighteen? Cause, I hate to break it to you, nothing changes.”
“Roman,” she cut him off. “Stop talking.”
“Only if you start.”
“You’re really going to make me tell you?”
He crossed his arms. “Okay, here’s the thing. I’ve never had good parents or… like… siblings. But you’re like my sister.”
“Rome.” A grin stretched across her face. “Are you trying to tell me you love me?”
“No.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
She laughed. “If you say it, I’ll tell you what happened today.”
He narrowed his eyes and sighed. “After you tell me, and it better be juicy.”
“Oh, it is.” She told him everything from Spencer kissing her at the farmer’s market to today in the mud room.
The news lit up his eyes as a genuine smile graced his lips. “Good for you, Hads. I didn’t think you’d ever willingly get into a relationship.”
“Whoa there.” She held up both hands and stepped back. “No one said the r word. More like the f word.”
He raised an eyebrow.
Her cheeks heated. “Fun! I meant fun!”
His laugh echoed through the room. “Well, okay then.”
“Your turn.”
He screwed up his face.
“It’s not that hard.”
Gritting his teeth, he stared at her. Finally, he sighed. “I…” His voice grew quiet. “Love. You.”
“I knew it,” she sing-songed as she turned and caught sight of Cassie in the doorway.
“Did my boyfriend just say he loves you?”
Hadley nodded as she bit back a smile. “Don’t worry, Cass. There’s room in his heart for two mistresses.”
Roman buried his face in his hands and groaned. “Just go before you get me dumped.”
She danced from the room, feeling lighter now that at least one of her friends knew her secret.
