“I think I want you to be more,” I could barely hear her… the words were spoken so softly. I wasn’t sure she even meant to share them aloud.
I looked at her in shock. I could have sworn my heart stopped for a moment before beginning to beat with a new purpose upon hearing those words. “Me? More?” I couldn’t even form a solid sentence. “Look, Bec, I’m not smart. I’ve been hit too many times in the head to pretend that I am.” I took her hands in my own, forcing her to face me. Her blue eyes were wide with fear and trepidation. “What do you mean you want me to be more?”
The moment was interrupted as the door crashed open and a panting Jackie was on the other side, “There you two are!” She exclaimed. “Dinner’s ready.”
She looked between Bec and me, her eyes growing wide in realization. I prayed to whatever gods were out there that Jackie would leave, and I could still get an answer from Bec. Instead, Bec took the chance to book-it away from me and escape down the stairs.
“Shit…” Jackie mumbled, “how badly did I just fuck up?”
“I…” I looked around me. I felt lost, taken aback, and confused as shit. “I thought she hated me,” I finally spoke.
Jackie smiled, “Enemies to lovers, Rome. One of my favorite book tropes.” She wandered over to me, “The question is: how do you feel about her?”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know,” I answered truthfully.
She clapped my shoulder. “Well, figure it out. Now, come on. Will is bound to show up if we don’t make an appearance shortly. We both know how he feels about leaving the two of us alone.”
I laughed despite myself, grateful for the levity Jackie always brings. It helped to calm the hurricane of emotions swirling within my chest.
Bec wanted me to be more than a friend. But what was more to her?
Chapter Sixteen
BEC
Ifucked up. I really fucked up. Why the hell did I tell Rome that? That I wanted more? What the hell was more?
I wasn’t even sure what I felt for him. He was just a chaotic swirl of emotions in my heart that made no sense. Rome could simultaneously make me lose my mind, and make my heart flutter.
I had been in my fair share of relationships over the years. They were simple… comfortable, even. Not once in thoserelationships did I spiral the way I was over Rome. He made me lose control in ways I had never experienced before.
When did this happen? Had I always felt this way about him? Could it have been from that first moment when he had the gall to drop a pickup line within minutes of meeting me?
“Rome Cipriani at your service…” He paused for a moment, a mischievous gleam shining in his eyes, “Anyservice you need.”
The insinuation bled through his tone. I had promptly admonished the inappropriate behavior as I was his boss and deserved respect. He had apologized and promised to be better, but I still thought about that line. Not that it was any good… it was actually a rather abysmal pickup line in my opinion.
It had stood out, though, because for the first time, I was just Bec. Rome didn’t look at me as a spoiled rich girl or the CEO of a massive corporation. There were no preconceived notions… just Rome treating me like he would anyone else. He always had.
Rome gave me the space to simply beme.
Will kicked my feet under the table from his spot next to me. Jackie and Rome were on the opposite side of the table, both talking my mom’s ear off… though she seemed utterly delighted with the attention.
“What happened? Do I need to kill him?” Will asked in a hushed voice that was concerningly serious.
“What? Absolutely not,” I whispered back. “Wait… you wouldn’t actually kill him, right?”
Will shrugged noncommittally, and I chose not to investigatethatfurther.
I glanced at Rome to make sure he wasn’t listening before fully turning towards Will, "I think I may have committed a major HR violation—at the very least, bordered on one. Does it count if I technically didn’tdoanything, just insinuated it? I think I may be spiraling.”
Will’s brows furrowed in both worry and confusion, “What did you do?”
“I may or may not have propositioned our employee… a little bit,” I explained, as if that made it any better.
Various emotions flashed across Will’s face. First, confusion… then, understanding… and finally, landing on humor. He covered his mouth with his hand as he tried to stifle his chuckles.
“Shut up,” I mumbled. But he continued to shake with laughter. I could even see tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. God, he was the worst.
