Page 56 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
Roman
Hadley was already atEmma’sby the time they arrived, but Cassie froze in the doorway, watching the busy diner with wide eyes. A waitress rushed by carrying a tray of food and almost ran into her.
Roman hated the fear on her face. He wished he could take it away but knew she was the one who had to overcome it. He slid his palm against hers and intertwined their fingers.
Leaning in, he dropped his voice. “I’ve got you, Cass.”
A shaky breath hissed past her teeth. “Don’t leave me.”
“I promise.” Tugging on her hand, he pulled her further into the diner. He’d never pretend to understand how she felt, but he just wanted to help her through it.
Hadley waved to them from a curved booth in the back, looking like she was directing air traffic.
“Why does she look so excited to see us?” Cassie asked.
“Excited is just a state of being for her.” Roman waved back at Hadley.
Cassie looked up at him. “Are you two…”
“What? No. No. No. We’re friends.”
“Like you and me?” Her voice was small.
No, Cass. Not like you and me. But he couldn’t say that, so he only nodded. There was no one in this world like Cassie and nothing like the friendship they’d once had. It was coming back, and just the thought made him smile.
When they rounded the corner of the booth, he caught sight of Jesse and Charlotte sitting across from Hadley. His steps faltered as he remembered everything Jesse said to him only hours ago. And now he showed up holding Cassie’s hand.
But he’d be damned if he was going to let her go.
Jesse jumped from the booth, his eyes flicking from Roman to Cassie. “Cass… you’re here?”
“Please don’t make a thing of this.” A pink blush flooded her cheeks.
Charlotte reached out and pulled Jesse back into the booth. “Of course, we won’t.” She sent her boyfriend a pointed look. “Have a seat.”
Hadley’s gaze settled on their linked hands, and a sly smile spread across her lips. Cassie slid into the booth next to her, releasing Roman’s hand—much to Roman’s disappointment. He missed the warmth of her palm immediately.
She slouched down into the booth, her eyes on the surrounding commotion. A Beckett Anderson song played overhead, giving the diner a country atmosphere.
Gulf City was beach town year-round. Even when the Gulf of Mexico was frigid, the town’s surfers flocked to its waves—what little there were of them. It wasn’t exactly the best surfing destination, but that didn’t stop the ocean-loving, adrenaline junkies.
Cassie pulled the hood of her sweatshirt up over her head and fixed her gaze on the table.
“Roman, you were great in the game tonight.” Charlotte smiled. Roman couldn’t believe they’d ever thought she was a cold ice princess. Since getting to know her, she’d been nothing but a nice hockey superstar. At least in his book.
“Was there ever any doubt?” Roman slid his arm over the back of the booth, grazing Cassie’s neck.
“Uh, yeah, dude.” Hadley shoved his hand away from where he poked her on the shoulder. “There was a lot of doubt.”
Roman shot her a smirk before looking to Charlotte again. “Guess this just means we don’t need you so much, Charlie girl.”
“Is that so?” She leaned forward with her elbows on the table. “One on one. Any time.”
Roman only grinned. He’d never agree to that, knowing Charlotte would wipe the floor with him. No matter what he said, she was better than any of them. He’d never been super competitive—heck, he spent most of his high school career playing on a losing hockey team, but he enjoyed winning since Charlotte joined the team.
The diner’s owner interrupted their standoff. “Callie.” Roman pasted on his most charming smile. “When you get into management, you’re not supposed to have to mingle with us plebes.”
Callie put her hands on her hips. “Ownership, not management. And being the boss means knowing when it’s time to help out.” She pulled a notepad out of her apron. “I already have some of your orders, but Roman… Cassie?”
