“Let me check my calendar. Yes.”
Roman chuckles at my silliness. “I’d be happy to take you out to Orchard Blossom’s finest eating establishment, if you’d like, but my mother is cooking tonight at the Airbnb, and she’s a fantastic cook.”
Every cell in my body jolts. Roman is inviting me to dinner with his family?“I’d never pass up a good home-cooked meal,” I say, trying to sound calm and breezy, like I’m not totally freaking out.
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’d love for Maverick to get to know you while we’re here. My parents, too, if that’s okay with you. And I think a relaxed dinner at home with you would be a great way to try to do that.”
My heart is stampeding. Racing. Thundering. An hour ago, I thought I’d never see Roman Maguire again. And now, he’s here with his son and parents, and he’s inviting me to a family dinner? It’s too much. Too fast. Am I risking total decimation here if I take this leap of faith and say yes? Am I going to wind up with a broken heart that’s even worse than the one I got with Brandon? “I’d love to get to know everyone while you’re here,” I manage to squeak out. “As long as that includes plenty of opportunities for me to get to know you. The real you.”
“That’s why I’m here, Iris.” His chest heaves. “My parents are planning to babysit Mav for me all week, whenever you’ll let me take you out on some dates. Would you be willing to do that?”
I swallow hard and nod. “That sounds nice.”And then what?The words pop into my head, but I quickly stuff them down and tell myself to take things one day at a time. One invitation at atime. Tonight, I’ll join Roman’s family dinner. For now, that’s all I need to think about.
Roman’s eyes drift to my lips. Once again, the air between us crackles in a way that makes me think Roman wants to kiss me. But before he moves or speaks, Maverick calls out to Roman.
“Daddy!” he shouts. “Look at me!”
Before turning his attention to his son, Roman lays a hand on mine on the railing. It’s a simple gesture. A G-rated one. But it sends tingles rocketing throughout my entire body, and a certain kind of pulsing announces itself between my legs.
With his hand on mine, Roman watches his son for a long moment and cheers him on. But when Maverick’s attention is drawn to something Harper is saying to him, Roman squeezes my hand underneath his, prompting me to look at him again.
“Thank you, Iris,” he says softly, holding my gaze. “Thank you for giving me a second chance to show you what I’m all about.”
Chapter 30
Roman
I squeeze Iris’shand underneath the dinner table. I mustered the courage to grab it about twenty minutes ago, as we all started devouring the apple pie Iris brought to tonight’s dinner party, and I haven’t let go of it since.
I can’t believe I ever doubted my feelings for this woman. Or thought my feelings for her would fade after I arrived in LA and started my new life. Or, worst of all, that I ever thought I could find “someone like Iris” one day, whenever the timing happened to be better for me.
I was a fool for thinking all of it.
For so long now, I’ve ached for Iris. Dreamed about her. Kicked myself for not being brave enough to match her openness. Fantasized about including her in my new life. Indeed, with each passing day, I became more and more certain not only was I ready to follow in my cousin Marco’s footsteps and settle down, but I was excited to do exactly that.The only question is whether my yearning for Iris is reliable enough to act upon. To gamble on, long-term. So, here I am in Orchard Blossom, with my parents and Maverick, intending to do whatever it takes to answer that question with certainty.
“Dinner was so delicious, Mrs. Maguire,” Iris says to my mother across the table. “I’d love to get your recipe.” She’s referring to the the impressive seafood pasta dish with homemade linguini my mother served this evening. It’s her specialty—a time-consuming masterpiece Mom only bothers making on special occasions or when she wants to impress someone.
“Only if you give me this pie recipe,” Mom replies to Iris. “It’s the best apple pie I’ve ever tasted.”
Iris blushes. “It’s my mother’s recipe. She grew up in Orchard Blossom, so baking and cooking with apples was a specialty of hers.”
Mom palms her forehead. “OrchardBlossom! I didn’t put it together till now there must be orchards nearby.”
Iris laughs. “Lots of them. Washington produces more apples than any other state in the country. It’s not prime apple-picking season yet, but some nearby orchards have perennials, so we could check them out while you’re here.”
“I’d love to,” Mom gushes. “What about you, Mav? Do you want to pick apples off a tree with Iris?”
“Can I eat dem?” Maverick asks.
“Of course,” Iris says. “An orchard has apple trees as far as you can see, so you can eat as many apples as you can fit into your belly.”
“I love apples,” Maverick exclaims with a grin.
“Then, let’s do it,” Iris says. “I’ll pack us a picnic and we’ll make a day of it. The countryside over there is really beautiful.”
Without hesitation, my shy boy launches into an energetic conversation with Iris about the picnic episode of his favorite show,Bluey. And that’s how I know my boy’s every bit as enamored with Iris as me: He doesn’t get chatty like this with everyone.
As Maverick chats excitedly with Iris, I notice Mom smirking at Dad in a way I’ve seen countless times. She’s gloating. Nonverbally saying something along the lines of “I told you so.” If I were a betting man, which I am, I’m guessing Mom predicted Maverick would fall head over heels in love with Iris. Or hell, for all I know, maybe my parents’ bet was aboutme,and Mom already thinks she’s won it.
