“Yes. Well, he is his son after all,” I reply, watching as Roman folds his arms. His face is serious, while Liam is beaming like sunshine.
“Like father, like son. So, it makes me wonder, why you?” Tessa says, her eyes staring straight ahead at the men taking the picture.
I tilt my head to the side. “Because he didn’t want you.”
Her head instantly turns toward me. I shrug and continue watching the shoot.
If she starts it, I want her to understand that I will finish it.
“Fantastic.” The photographer looks down at his camera and nods.
Roman walks straight to me. Liam stops to look at the laptop to see the pictures.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yes, I am great.” I smile up at him. His hands rest gently on my hip. My body presses softly against his side. Right, we have to look like a new couple in love. I place my arm around his waist.
The photographer looks back at Roman. “How about a picture with your mom?”
I feel Roman stiffen and look to Elizabeth. I see the small panic on her face. “Actually, I want one with the boys and their fiancées.”
I look up at Roman, hoping that he would say “no.”
Instead, I’m moving forward with my hand in Roman’s.
“We will go first,” he says. We stand in front of the tree side by side.
I lick my lips nervously.
“Um, would you two please touch each other? Maybe put your hand on her hip.” The photograph says as he is demonstrating the pose.
The camera clicks, and my heart is thumping in my ear.
“No, it’s not right.” The photographer walks up to us. “I know you love this girl. I see the way you look at her.”
He moves my arms to Roman’s chest, and my face is pressed against it.
“Yes, Roman. That’s it,” the photographer shouts.
I close my eyes and press my nose into Roman’s sweater. He smells expensive and delicious. What is that scent? Sandalwood?
“Ok, now how about a kiss?”
My eyes fly open. I don’t know who says it, but I hope their butt crack burns.
I told him we should have practiced. Now look at us looking awkward.
I chuckle, giving the audience the biggest smile. “You don’t want to see that.”
Elizabeth smiles. “We do. Practice now so it won’t be weird for the wedding.”
“The wedding…right.” I look back at Roman.
His face is stoic. God, this is about to be the flattest, most unseasoned kiss ever.
“Don’t be shy,” someone says.
Roman stares at me, and I feel like the room blurs. “You okay with this?” he asks.
