“I came because…” She pauses. “Remember when we were kids and we got locked in your grandfather’s closet?”
I nod and chuckle, remembering the hide-and-seek game that went wrong. “We were stuck in there for hours.”
“I didn’t mind because I was with you, and I knew you would keep me safe.” Her eyes shine with unshed tears.
“What’s the matter, Tessa?” I know my brother wouldn’t hurt her, so why does she look like she wants to cry? She stands, pushing her sweater up her arms.
Tessa stops in front of me. “I am stuck in a mire of what-ifs.”
A tear slips down her cheek. “What if we worked it out? What if you love me more?”
“What-ifs are for fools and people who hold on to delusions,” I warn.
“Call me delusional then. I was wrong, Roman,” she says as another tear slips down her face. “You were never a placeholder. I was wrong for talking to another man.”
I chuckle. “Is this an apology? You want to apologize before you marry my brother?”
She steps into my space and places her hand on my shoulder. “It’s an apology and an admittance. I am marrying the wrong brother. I want you, Rom. I am sorry it took me so long.”
Her nails dig into my chest as she tiptoes and she presses her lips against mine.
I push her so hard she falls to the ground. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?”
Tessa holds onto my desk for support and pushes herself up. “After you helped me yesterday, I realized that you are my person, Rom. Not Liam, you.”
I close my eyes because I can feel my temper igniting. “You came here trying to make me betray my brother and my fiancée.”
She reaches for me, and I pull away. “I am going to put this fuckery down as nerves. But know this: if you ever cheat on my little brother, I will help him drag you through the pits of hell.”
“Rom, please,” she pleads. “We have so much history together.”
My fists clench because even though it’s wrong to hit a woman, she is pushing it. “You are the past. A forgotten one. Noelle is my present and my future.”
Tears roll down her face. “Rom, please. I love you.”
I am seething. “And I realize I never really loved you,” I say between my teeth.
Her knees buckle, and she presses her hand to her chest and cries.
“Gather yourself and then get the fuck out of my office,” I say. I need to leave this office now before I do something I regret.
NOELLE
E.L. Howard has me in a chokehold. A surprise baby? Oh, the hero is about to be pissed. I hear the shuffling of feet and look around to see Roman walking toward me at full speed. Something was wrong.
I turn my Kindle off. Placing it on the table, I stand.
“Hey, are you okay?” Before I can ask more questions, he grabs my hand.
“Come with me,” he commands. I don’t get a chance to make a decision. I was running, trying to keep up with his stride.
“Are you okay?” I ask. His grip tightens, and his jaw is clenched.
He doesn’t answer. We pass his mom in the kitchen, and I wave at her. Like me, she is surprised by Roman’s speed.
“Is everything alright?” she shouts.
I look back and wave again. “Perfectly fine.”
