She slid her gaze to meet his from under her lashes. “Would you believe me if I said I’m not nervous?”
“Maybe.” He sunk his teeth into his bottom lip.
“I make it a point not to show nerves,” Sadie continued.
“Ever? Everyone gets nervous.” He looked remarkably unconvinced. “Why hide it?”
“Showing that kind of emotion is weakness. Unless it’s a situation where vulnerability is needed. In those cases, I make sure I have the appropriate amount of nervous energy.”
Roman’s expression—the way his eyes widened and his eyebrows dropped at the same time—was priceless. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
They started up the driveway toward the front door. He seemed to slow down so that Sadie could keep up, but that wasn’t necessary. She could keep up with the best of them.
“Sometimes a little weakness is a good thing,” Roman mused.
Maybe for some. Not for Sadie. Weakness meant loss. And Sadie wasn’t about to go there. “Not in my line of work.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re off the clock.”
She swatted his arm, which wasn’t the best idea given that it meant she was touching him. Touching him was not a good idea when she was firming up her commitment to not diving back into all things Roman.
Instead of pulling her hand away, she doubled down.
“Fine. I’m nervous, but not about tonight.” She linked her arm with his in what she hoped was a totally platonic gesture as they continued walking. “I’m trying to figure out how to negotiate custody of a fish tank for my newest client.Thatmakes me nervous.”
“Maybe you should be nervous about more than that,” he muttered.
“Why?”
He subtly moved his arm, but in doing so, her hand fell and was suddenly in his grip.
This was not so platonic.
Perhaps platonic was overrated because palm-to-palm everything felt so right. The cold wasn’t so cold anymore.
Was she supposed to hold his hand? Maybe it made a good impression to walk through the door with a firm ally. But then again, it could backfire by giving Babushka the wrong idea and encouraging her to start planning a wedding. That seemed like the worst possible thing that could happen this evening.
He squeezed her hand and then dropped it.
Oh, maybe he thought the same thing.
He smiled a wry smile, but it seemed a little sad and that was not at all what she wanted.
The cold returned.
This was ridiculous. Head high, she kept pace beside him. She did not need Roman Dvornakov to make her feel alive. She had a new practice and a new office, and wasn’t life just going swimmingly?
He glanced at her as she trotted along. He grinned a one-sided grin.
The warmth returned, hotter this time, and flooded through her.
Taking command of her body and its stupid reactions, she marched forward to the door.
Anna met them there. Sadie had hung out with Anna several times through Marlee and Heather.
“Hi,” Sadie said.
“Hi.” Anna opened the door farther. “I figured a friendly face might be helpful when you’re diving into the deep end of all things Dvornakov.”
