Page 45 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
She returned his smile before looking away again. “Me too. Look, about last night. I’m sorry.”
“You’re… sorry?”
“Yeah, I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t have put you in that position. It won’t happen again.”
“Oh, okay. Good?” What else was he supposed to say? She was sorry for kissing him.
She went on. “I just don’t want things to be awkward between us.”
“What’s awkward? It’s not like you tried to hide in your room all day or anything.” He laughed.
“Okay, I know. Totally my fault. Can we try to be friends?”
“Cass… I’ve always been your friend. Even when you shut me out and put this wall between us, that didn’t change.”
Her lips curved up. “I’ll rephrase then. I want to be your friend again. I think I’m ready.”
He slid his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side, a grin splitting his lips. “Cassie and Roman, together again. Watch out world.”
She groaned. “I don’t think I’m ready for the world yet. But this is a step forward. Maybe one day I’ll be able to take another one.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I think my mom would have wanted that.”
Before Roman could respond, Jesse yelled up the beach. “Roman! Cass! We need you.”
* * *
This waswhat was so urgent? Jesse had to be kidding.
“We’re going to race.” Jesse’s face lit up in excitement. “It was Hadley’s idea.”
Roman shot Hadley a glare. Of course, it was her idea. That was why it was more than a simple footrace.
Hadley shot him a grin. “It’s not my fault Jesse got all annoyed when I said you looked to be in better shape than him.” She shrugged as if she hadn’t known her words would egg him on.
Jesse continued. “We’re going to race from the edge of the parking lot to where the markers are down the beach.”
Roman eyed his friend. “What’s the catch?” It wasn’t a far enough distance to just be a footrace.
Hadley’s eyes sparkled as she looked at each of them. “You have to carry someone on your back.”
“Let me get this straight… you want me to run while giving you a piggyback ride?”
She laughed. “Nope. I’m the judge.” Mischief flashed across her face. “Cassie will be your partner.”
Cassie’s face paled. “What… no…”
Charlotte crossed toward her. “Come on, Cass. It’ll be fun. The boys have to do all the work.”
Cassie’s eyes stayed wide, but she nodded. None of them understood why she’d trusted Charlotte since the day she met her, but Roman was glad to see someone else watching out for her.
They lined up parallel to the edge of the parking lot. Charlotte climbed onto Jesse’s back.
“Come on, Cass, just like old times.” Roman gave her a lopsided grin. “We can beat them.”
She walked around behind him. It was a familiar position because he used to give her piggyback rides from the time he could first lift her. They were pros.
Cassie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and jumped. He caught her legs at his waist, holding her in place. She rested her chin on his shoulder for just a moment before whispering in his ear. “Let’s beat them.”
A grin slid across his face. His competitive Cassie was back. “You got it.”
