All I've Never Wanted(57)

My head jerked up and I stared at him, confused.

“So.” Roman shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I, uh, just wanted to apologize for—for yesterday.”

My jaw dropped. Had he just voluntarily apologized to me? For the second time? And he stuttered!

Hell must have frozen over by now.

I was too stunned to say anything, and he obviously took my silence to mean I didn’t accept his apology, because he continued, “I really didn’t mean to walk in on you while you were—er, you know—“ He broke off, his face turning red.

My own face turned the exact same shade of Il Serrano’s crimson walls as I remembered yesterday’s scene. “It’s ok,” I squeaked, jiggling my foot even more. “It’s not your fault. Adri just texted you the wrong number.”

“Right. Right.” Roman nodded absentmindedly. “And just so you know, I didn’t look or anything. I mean, I looked, but I didn’t stare. I mean, I’m not that sort of person—“

I couldn’t help but giggle a little at his discomfort.

“—I wouldn’t stare at you anyway, is what I meant to say.”

“Are you calling me ugly?” I couldn’t help but tease him a little.

Hey, you would do the same thing! It’s not like chances to make fun of Roman Fiori came along all that often.

Roman turned even redder. “No! That’s not what I meant! It’s—well, you’re Parker’s girlfriend, so that would be…inappropriate.”

“Very,” I agreed, hiding a smirk as he shifted again in his seat, an adorable frown on his face.

I blinked. Wait. Did I just think Roman was adorable? Oh, god, maybe Zack wasn’t the only one getting sick tonight.

Thankfully, the door swung open and Parker strolled back in, snapping his phone shut.

My relief faded when he gazed at me apologetically. “I just got off the phone with my mom, I have an emergency back home,” he said with a sigh. “I have to go.”

“What? What about dinner?” I blurted, panicking. No way was I going to stay here with just Roman!

“I wish I could stay but I can’t, I’m really sorry.” Parker frowned. “I do have to go though. I hope you understand.”

“Maybe we can do a group dinner later,” I suggested, scrambling to stand up. “Since no one’s here anyway.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s a shame for all that food to go to waste. I spoke with the chefs before I came back and boxed up Zack, Adri, and my meals. You two just enjoy your food here.”

“No, that’s all right. Parker, I can just go with you.” I begged him with my eyes, hoping we’d spontaneously developed an ESP connection overnight. “I can help you at home!”

“That’s a sweet offer, honeybee, but I’m afraid you won’t be of much help. Rome here can drive you home, right?”

Parker glanced over at where Roman was watching us with sharp eyes.

“Right,” the violet-eyed Scion finally replied.

“See? Everything will be fine.” Parker kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, honeybee.”

My shoulders slumped. “Bye,” I said glumly, as he walked out just as the waiter came in bearing our food.

I poked at my pancetta, my nerves doubling as it suddenly hit me that I was eating in a private dining room with just Roman.

“You know, poking at your food like that won’t make you any less hungry,” Roman said.

I looked over at him. He stared back emotionlessly, all traces of his previous adorable-ness gone, which is probably a good thing.

“You should eat.” He nodded curtly at my plate. “I know you’re sad your lover boy’s gone, but I don’t want you starving on my watch.”

“I am eating,” I protested. “See?” I took a bite of my pancetta to prove my point.


Roman snorted, then abruptly changed the subject. “So you and Adri went shopping earlier today, huh?”

“Yeah…” Where was he going with this?

“Funny, I figured you and Parker would’ve done the deed already,” he commented casually, digging into his own food.

I froze. “Why? Because I’m such a slut?” I asked lightly, trying not to show how much the assumption actually hurt.

Roman’s jaw tensed. “Because it’s Parker,” he answered flatly.

I stared down at my plate. “We’ve only been dating for a week…”

“Guess you’re looking forward to homecoming then.”

“What makes you say that?”

His lips twisted into a wry smirk. “So you guys can finally do what you’ve wanted. Isn’t that why you bought all that lingerie?”

I glared at him. “Have you ever heard the saying, when you assume, you make an ass of u and me?”

Roman shrugged nonchalantly, but his jaw was still tight. “I’m right though.”

“No, you’re not,” I snapped. I didn’t know why I was getting so riled up. I shouldn’t care what he thought of me, but I was getting undeniably frustrated and couldn’t stop the stream of words that came out of my mouth next. “You don’t even know anything about our relationship! Besides, I’ll have you know that I don’t even know if I want to—to do anything homecoming night! I mean, I’m a virgin, for God’s sake!”