“Ya think?” She threw her hands up.
Roman reached for her, running his palms over her shoulders. Her body seemed to sigh against his touch even as her eyes lanced him with daggers.
“You’ve seen the worst of relationships,” he said, still stroking her shoulders and moving his hands along her arms. “But I like to think that maybe this devastated guy deserves a second chance. Like me with you.”
Sadie moved his hands away from her shoulders and held them. “You are projecting your own desires for a second chance onto him.”
Uh. He hadn’t thought he was doing that, but now that she mentioned it, it was a solid probability.
“If you are, that’s fine,” she continued. “You can do what you want to do. But on behalf of your future children, I implore you not to involve them in negotiations of this sort.” Once again, Sadie focused on the water and the fountain.
“Future puppy,” he corrected.
She gave him a look that could’ve cut through the thick polymer fish tank at the aquarium. “We both know your grandmother is not going to abide by the fine print in your discussion.”
Suddenly, he was really curious as to what Sadie was thinking. Why she cared so much. “Why does this matter to you? Is it because my babies may be your babies?”
“This isn’t about me.” She expertly dodged.
“Sadie,” he said, low.
“Rome,” she echoed, just as low.
She was totally worried that she’d have his babies and be obligated to name them after his grandmother. He grinned. He would make sure the second part didn’t happen, but the first could be fun.
Sadie sighed and sat at the edge of the fountain, tracing the top of the water with her hand.
“Why don’t you ever wish in the fountain?” he asked. As he recalled, she had a very detailed method for fountain wishes. But they’d been by this fountain several times and she’d never once stopped to make a wish.
“What?” she asked, confused.
“You stare at it all the time.” Like it was a rich chocolate dessert with hot fudge sauce that she wanted to sink her teeth into.
“I didn’t realize you were paying so much attention.” She swirled her hand in the water.
Roman sat beside her so their thighs touched. “You want to make a wish?”
She shook her head. “We’re discussing you and your poor choices in projects and negotiations.”
“Now we’re discussing making wishes.”
“I don’t make wishes.”
Roman stuck his hand in the pocket of his jacket, digging for change. He pulled out a handful—a nickel, two dimes, and four pennies. He handed one of the pennies to Sadie. “If you want to, you should do it.”
She didn’t take it. She did, however, cross her arms. “When you’re done with your pet project, do you want to come over?”
“Yes.” How was that even a question?
“I’ll look forward to seeing you later.” She gave a curt nod and sauntered toward the exit.
“Sadie?” he called, standing.
She turned.
“Can I ask a favor?” he asked.
She nodded cautiously.
