Page 37 of More Than Nothing
“Well, he doesn’t seem to want to pick someone else.” The redhead gave a shrug. “Roman’s super private. He only brought thesnotty lawyer he was seeing in Detroit back home once—and they were engaged.”
Elenie blinked rapidly, a chill spreading through her bones.
Summer’s mouth fell open. “He has a fiancée?”
“Had. They broke it off before he came back.”
“I need coffee. And I need details.” Summer scooted out of her chair. “Don’t start without me!”
Elenie brushed at some dust on the screen of her cell. If the chief was getting over a breakup, this was a pity invite. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Caitlyn kicked her under the table. “Say yes. What’s the worst that could happen?”
I could fall for him.Elenie shoved that thought way down where she didn’t have to acknowledge it.
“Um, they might not let me in. Or they might let me in and then be rude to my face. Or they might be icily polite but take Roman to one side where they know I can still hear them and ask him what the hell he’s thinking. And then kick me out.”
Caitlyn just stared at her. “But apart from all of that, it could be fun. Just say yes.”
Elenie stared at her phone for so long the screen went blank. Eventually, she swiped back to her messages. Nerves cramped her stomach as she began to type.
OK. I’d like to meet your family.
Roman’s answer was immediate.
Thea (Roman):
Fantastic. Let me know where I can pick you up and I’ll see you at midday on Sunday
“What have I missed?” Summer dumped a tray holding two coffees and a hot chocolate onto the table.
“She said yes.”
“Good.” Summer smiled, dimples flashing. “Now, dish the dirt on the chief’s ex, Cait. We need to know what you know.”
“You’ll be disappointed, I’m afraid. I could tell you more than I ever wanted to know about Zena’s job. She didn’t shut up about that when we met her. But she wasn’t exactly open about anything else.” Caitlyn dumped extra sugar into her hot chocolate. “I’m not even sure they had a life outside of their work while they were together.”
“Describe her,” Summer demanded.
“Tall. Long blond hair. Pointy features. Beautiful clothes. Very elegant. Legs up to her ears.” Caitlyn gestured vaguely with her hand.
“She sounds stunning,” said Elenie, battling the sensation of barbed wire around her lungs.
“They weren’t very touchy-feely. No public displays of affection that I saw. Roman mainly caught up with Milo. He looked tired. A bit remote.”
Elenie knew the look she meant. She’d seen the shadows in his eyes. Reserved, professional, contained, Roman was still undeniably, underwear-meltingly handsome. But when his face relaxed and his eyes warmed with humor, he was a whole other level of delicious. Something in him called to every part of her. She could still feel his hand on her shoulder in Otto’s foyer. He’d literally just touched her shirt and every ounce of her focus had centered on his fingers. Elenie, lost in the memory, almost choked on absolutely nothing.
“They met through mutual friends. Zena’s a corporate lawyer with a big firm. I think she advises on mergers and buyouts. And she’s very ambitious.” Caitlyn was still talking. Elenie felt like a small and pathetic underachiever; it was an embarrassing nudgefrom reality. “I don’t know if they ever set a date, but I can’t imagine having a family would feature any time soon in her plans.”
“What went wrong?” Summer asked.
“Milo said things went sour before Roman came back home. Zena wasn’t on board with his decision to leave the city, I know that.”
“Dougie says Roman doesn’t talk about his old job.” Summer fiddled with her mug. “He doesn’t really talk that much at all.”
“For someone who looks like they have everything under control, I don’t think Roman is as together as he seems.” Caitlyn propped her chin in her hands. “It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking. He used to tell Thea everything but she says he’s more closed off now. He’s always been the quietest one in his family. The rest of them are lovely but full-on.”
“As you’ll find out on Sunday.” Summer nudged Elenie, who gave a nervous swallow and sipped her coffee.
