Page 57 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
Cassie didn’t even look at her, so Jesse jumped in. “Cass will have the bacon burger. It’s what she always has me bring her at home.”
Roman studied Cassie for a moment. “Is that what you want?” He leaned down. “You can order for yourself. Come on, Cass. Don’t let someone else be your voice.”
Cassie lifted her chin. “Can I get the bacon burger and fries… please?”
A smile spread across Roman’s face. “That’s my girl.” He looked to Callie. “Can I just have some cottage cheese? I’m watching my figure.” Callie lifted an eyebrow but went on her way.
“You okay, Rome?” Cassie whispered.
He nodded, not wanting to admit he’d been feeling queasy since the game. The thought of eating a greasy burger made him nauseous, which was sad because he lovedEmma’sburgers.
“Rome, can I talk to you for a moment?” Jesse slid from the booth.
“No.” He looked to Cassie, knowing he’d promised not to leave her.
“It’ll only take a second.”
Charlotte reached across the table and gripped Cassie’s hand. “We’ve got her.”
“I’ll be fine.” He didn’t know what it took from her to say those words, but he stood and followed Jesse to where an old refurbished jukebox stood.
“Jess…” Roman leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. “I don’t need the big brother talk again. I heard what you said before.”
“You got her here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “How?”
Roman shrugged. “I invited her.”
Jesse blew out a long breath. “I’ve been trying for years to get her back out into the world. Yet, you move in and she’s finally trying.”
“I think that’s more of a coincidence than anything.”
“No, it’s not. It’s like overcoming whatever prevented her from speaking to you opened up this well of possibilities. We can get her back, can’t we?”
“Jess, she never left.”
“I know that, but seeing her shut herself up in that house for two years hurt. It hurt that she wouldn’t talk to me about anything real, only superficial, that she pulled away as much as my dad, just in a different way.”
He pictured Mr. Carrigan piling furniture into his car. “Your dad got rid of the porch furniture tonight.”
Jesse closed his eyes for a long moment. “I only found out why some couches and tables were so important this week. Neither of them let me in on their pain.” He glanced back at the table. “I don’t care how you feel about her. Forget everything I said. Maybe… maybe she needs you.” He looked back to Roman. “Does she know how you feel?”
He shook his head.
Jesse put a hand on Roman’s shoulder. “I might be getting my family back for the first time since Mom died.” He released him. “Rome?”
“Yeah?”
“You know they’re your family too, right?” The words slammed into Roman. His family. “You’re one of us.”
It didn’t matter if his parents abandoned him for large parts of his life or if their company was more important than their son. He hadn’t been born a Carrigan, but they’d chosen him. Jesse, Will, Eli, Cassie, Mr. Carrigan—even Mrs. Carrigan treated him like a son before she died.
“Thanks for saying that, man.”
Jesse patted him on the shoulder. “Enough with the mushy stuff?”
Roman cleared his throat. “Yep.”
“I just wanted to make sure we’re good.”
