“I am.”
“It doesn’t bother you that you have to keep pieces of your relationship secret? Say that you and Roman aren’t living together when you are?”
I unrolled another turkey. “It’s not secret. It’s like our own language. We share the truth, just not all the details.”
“That makes sense.” She shrugged. “Your private life should be your own, but I can see how it could be difficult.”
Yes, it could be. But he loved me. I had never been more certain of anything. And that made the adjustments easier, because we were doing it together.
“You excited for your new job tomorrow?” Hazel asked.
“I am. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.”
I was also nervous. The job was heading up the anti-drug campaign Roman had enacted. While New Beginnings was building the new facility, I was the consultant who worked with the state government and the non-profits it supported. I still got to help, make a difference, and be part of the process of cleaning up New York.
“I still can’t believe you insisted on an application process,” she said.
“It wouldn’t have been fair otherwise.”
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Roman set down the large box by the doorway. Holy God, the man was hot. In his dark jeans, casual leather belt, and a white shirt that clung to his chest and abs so perfectly it made me want to swoon.
Though it was a chilly day, he had helped move my things, and I’d never seen a man look better while toting boxes.
“Getting all set up?” he asked, walking toward Hazel and me and examining the little table, which now had half of Stroky’s flock on it. He looked like he’d just swallowed a spoonful of salt.
“It’s Hazel’s housewarming present,” I said, hoping to wipe that look off his face before Hazel noticed. “Isn’t that nice?”
He instantly plastered on a smile. “Very thoughtful. Thank you, Hazel.”
Hazel stood and clapped a little. “I’m so glad you like them.” She hugged Roman, and then turned to hug me. “I should be taking off, but let me know if there is anything else you need help with.”
“Thank you so much.” My eyes stung a little as I watched Hazel leave, shutting the door behind her.
Roman approached me and nudged my chin up with his finger. “I thought you were happy about moving in with me?”
I smiled and batted the water away from my eyes. “I am. So much.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
I played with the bottom hem of his shirt. “It’s just, Hazel and Paige are kind of like my only family.” After the call with my mother a couple of weeks ago, she’d never called back. Which was fine, because I had let her go, along with the guilt and the past. And it felt good. It also made me re
alize that the few precious people I had in my life, I wanted to keep around.
“I’m your family, Amy,” Roman said. “No matter what, I’m not going anywhere.”
Great, now the tears were back. But they were the happy, amazing kind that made the world slow for just a moment so that all I could hear, see, and feel was Roman Reese.
“I love you,” I whispered, lifting to my tiptoes and kissing him softly.
He cupped my face and brushed his nose against mine. “I love you too, sweetheart.” He chuckled a little. “Speaking of people who love you, my mother has called four times today asking about us visiting next weekend. If I don’t give her an answer soon, I’m pretty sure she’ll camp out on our front lawn.”
I smiled. “I’d love to visit. If you’d like to?”
He nodded, and something very content glowed behind those dark eyes. “I would.”
I gripped his shirt, so proud of him. So happy he’d found his own peace with his past. Over the past few weeks, he’d made a major effort to work things out with his mother. Now, he looked calmer than I’d ever seen him, and I was so happy that everything felt like it was falling into place. For both of us. Together.
He gently nipped at my bottom lip, and I drew away just enough to run my gaze down his entire body.