Page 69 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
“Extra whipped cream.” He shook his head. “Think I was born yesterday?” He covered each piece of pie completely before sliding them across the counter along with a pile of forks. “Now, Roman, take a seat and tell us all about these girl troubles.”
He looked from Hadley to her mother to her grandfather. They expected him to tell all of them the details of his love life? Who were these people?
He tried to find help in Hadley, but she only shrugged and dug into her pie with a moan. “Take a bite, Rome. It’ll make you feel better.”
Digging his fork into the pie, he brought it to his mouth and had to hold in his own moan. It was the best thing he’d ever tasted.
Jack grinned and leaned against the counter. “Want to know my secret?”
“Papa!” Hadley’s eyes widened. “You don’t even know him.”
“He looks like a trustworthy young man. So, Roman, the secret to a great key lime pie is not to use key lime juice. Instead, half lemon and half lime.”
Roman swallowed. “So, it’s really lemon-lime pie?”
“You take that back. In this house, we still call it key lime.”
Roman smiled as he took another bite. Before he knew what was happening, the entire Cassie saga spilled out of him. How they’d been friends growing up until her mom died. How she’d stopped speaking to him for two years until he was forced to move in. The kiss she’d asked for. Roman making it his mission to help her heal. Cassie taking care of him when he was sick.
And finally, what he’d overheard her say.
When he was finished, silence filled the cavernous room until Hadley sighed. “It’s like a movie.”
“Or a romance novel,” Jack added before clearing his throat. “I mean, if I knew what was in those.” He rubbed his face. “Okay, I know what you need.”
“With all due respect, I just met you. How could you know how to fix this?”
Hadley nudged Roman with her foot. “Did I ever tell you my gramps was magical?”
“Magical?”
“Yeah, every time I go to him with a problem, he knows how to fix it. It’s magic.”
Laura slid from her stool and gathered all their plates to take them to the sink. “Listen to my father, Roman. The old man knows a thing or two.”
“Who you calling old?” Jack reached for the whipped cream. “Roman, tilt your head back.”
“Why?”
“Just do it. It’ll make you feel better.”
Not wanting to argue, Roman did as he asked. Jack pulled open his jaw and sprayed whipped cream right into his mouth.
“How do you feel now?”
Roman swallowed. “Full of sugar.”
Jack nodded. “Better than full of crap, young man. This girl of yours, what’s she worth to you?”
“Everything. She’s… perfect.”
“Perfection is an impossible standard, but the Gibson family is going to help you get the girl.”
“We are?” Hadley looked to him in surprise.
“Love, no matter the age it comes about, is always worth fighting for, Hadley. Remember that.” He turned his gaze back to Roman. “This Mr. Carrigan… his issue is that you currently live next door to his daughter?”
Roman nodded. “But my parents moved to Estonia. I can’t risk being sent there.”
