Page 112 of If You Love Me

“It’ll be fine.” Roman kisses the back of my hand.

Most of the time I can channel confidence, but nerves are winning. I’ve just said yes to marrying the man of my dreams. I'm head over heels in love with Roman and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him. But we’ve been hiding this from all the people we care about. Telling them we’re together is one thing, but explaining that we’re getting married as soon as possible is entirely another. I have a lot of feelings and they are all over the place.

Hammer and Hollis are on their way over, along with Dred, because if ever I needed the support of my friend, it’s now. Fee and Callie will be home from practice any minute. Roman ordered pizza, boneless wings, and dessert from Callie and Fee’s favorite restaurant. Hollis and Hammer are picking it up.

I don’t know if I should be calling her Peggy or Aurora now. I’m about to become her dad’s wife. And I’m only eight years older than she is.

Roman cups my cheek in his palm and looks down at me with compassion and love. “We will get through this, angel. No matter what, I will stand by your side and do everything I can tohelp you realize your goals. It doesn’t matter how messy it is. We’ll have each other.”

He’s my one constant in a sea of uncertainty. I voice the fear that’s been eating at me ever since he called his daughter and asked her to come over. “What if Peggy isn’t okay with this?” Losing my job would be a blow, but this worries me the most. She’s his number one, as she should be. What if she can’t accept this? What if she believes, like Donnie, that I’m in this for the wrong reasons? “I can’t come between you.”

He brushes his lips tenderly over mine. “My daughter is living with my best friend, and he’s planning to propose sometime soon. If anyone will be annoyed, it’ll be Hollis because I’ve stolen his thunder. But he’s pretty used to it by now, considering Tristan and Dallas also beat him to the punch.”

I chuckle a little. “That’s not what I mean.”

“What’s the worry, then?”

“People will make assumptions about our relationship and my motives.”

His smile is soft and sure. “My daughter won’t be one of those people. And the ones who do can fuck themselves. We know how we feel about each other. The people who care about you and me and who we care about will see the truth and that’s what’s important. The rest is noise.”

“You’re so calm.” I wish it would rub off on me.

“If we had more time, I’d help settle your anxiety,” he murmurs.

“I’ll take a rain check on that.” We haven’t even had time to celebrate the fact that we’re engaged. It’s been triage since he walked through the door. Telling his daughter and my sisters makes it so much more real. And the stakes that much higher.

The condo door opens, and Callie comes barreling down the hall like a miniature hurricane. “I had a total shutout today during practice! Roman! This is the best surprise! Hi!” She launches herself at him.

“Way to go! A shutout is awesome!” Roman scoops her upand gives her a huge hug. “We ordered pizza from your favorite place. It should be here soon.”

Fee comes down the hall, a questioning smile on her face. “Hey, Roman. I didn’t know you were coming over. You two having a strategy meeting?” She glances between us.

“Sort of.” I laugh, and it sounds reedy. “Dred, Peggy, and Hollis are coming over, too.”

“Oh yay! I love Dred.” Callie is all smiles.

“Why don’t you put your backpacks in your rooms, and you two can help me set the table?” I need to do something with this nervous energy. The girls love Roman. But it’s one thing to love having someone around sometimes, it’s another when they’re suddenly part of their everyday, though.

“Sure.” Fee gives me a funny look, and she and Callie disappear down the hall.

“I’m freaking out,” I whisper.

He brushes his lips against my temple. “It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

Dred shows up first, takes one look at me and says, “Shit’s about to go down, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” I hug her. “Hollis and Peggy should be here soon.”

“Okay. Whatever you need. I’ve got your back.” She looks to Roman. “And yours, too, obviously.”

The pizza and Hollis and Peggy arrive a minute later. “Dred! I didn’t know you were coming over, too. I brought wine.” Hammer-Peggy-Aurora holds up a bottle of white. She hugs me and steps back, brows furrowing. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is great!” Yeah, I’m not convincing anyone. I’m thrilled that the man of my dreams is finally going to be mine, but I wish we didn’t have to spring the news on the people we both care the most about and hope they understand.

Hollis and Roman exchange a look.

Callie reappears, bouncing over to hug Hammer-Peggy-Aurora and Dred and tell them about her shutout today. Roman and Hollis continue to communicate with their eyebrows.

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