Page 9 of A Forever Home
Della didn’t say anything to Roman at first. She didn’t want to pry or ask too many questions. Instead, she sipped on her hot chocolate thoughtfully and enjoyed the environment of Sweetwater Springs. Maybe she’d come back here one day to shop and get more fudge from Dawanda. Della looked over at Roman. “Have you ever had one of Dawanda’s cappuccino readings?”
He laughed. “Yes, I have. I venture to say anyone who grew up in this town has been subjected to one of her readings.”
“What did she tell you?”
He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. Della had always loved a man in jeans. Some women liked a guy in uniform, but a man in denim had always caught her eye. “It was a long time ago. I don’t really remember, to tell you the truth.”
“So you don’t know if her predictions came true or not?” Della asked.
Roman narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me you believe in that kind of stuff.”
“What stuff?”
He circled his hand in front of him. “Fortunes and psychics.”
She burrowed deeper into her coat to block the winter air. Even though Sweetwater Springs was only a couple of hours from where she lived, the temperature seemed to be several degrees lower here. “I don’t know. Maybe. I do believe in fate, so perhaps there are people out there who sense what’s in store for us.”
“Fate, huh? Don’t tell me I’m fake-dating a romantic.”
When she looked over at him, he winked. The gesture made her heart skip a beat. She was very much a romantic, even now, despite what her ex-husband had done to her. She wanted to believe in that one person out there in the world who would stay true forever.
But not Roman, she told herself in case her romantic heart got any ideas. He was just a fake boyfriend for the next two hours, and that was all.
***
Roman found seats for him and Della and looked around the growing crowd, recognizing most of the faces. Some folks recognized him too and hurried over to say hello. Della was a social butterfly. She seemed to make fast friends with everyone she met, which he admired about her. His brother, Brian, was the same way.
Roman’s gaze caught on an older couple weaving through the crowd, and Roman stiffened.
“What?” Della asked, seeming to notice how tense he’d become.
“My parents are heading this way,” he said quietly. “I apologize in advance.”
Della let out a startled-sounding laugh. She probably thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. “Oh, come on. It can’t be that bad,” she said.
Roman lifted his gaze as his parents approached.
“Roman, you came after all,” his mother said. She was dressed to the nines as usual with her hair and makeup done up perfectly.
Roman stood and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was a good foot and a half taller than her, so he had to dip down. “Hi, Mom. I wouldn’t miss Brian’s big day.”
“You’ve always been such a wonderful big brother,” she said affectionately.
“Roman,” his dad said once he’d pulled back from his mom’s embrace. “Good to see you.”
Roman didn’t believe his father was sincere in saying that for a second. “You too, Dad.” He stepped forward and hugged his dad even though he suspected his father would be fine with forgoing that gesture. His dad wore a long-sleeved polo shirt that probably cost as much as Roman’s monthly truck payment. He had on a sport coat and wore a pair of dark navy pants with loafers.
The Everson family was one of the richest in town. Roman had never cared about appearances, but his dad did. Roman guessed that was one reason why Brian was his father’s favorite son. Brian, while humble, was an overachiever. He thrived in the spotlight, and everyone adored him, including Roman.
“And who have you brought with you?” his mom asked, looking at Della. Roman loved his mother dearly, but he guessed she was probably trying to figure out what brand of clothing Della had on and whether it came from an expensive boutique or a department store.
Della stood and shook his mother’s hand. “Hello. I’m Della Rose. Roman was so nice as to invite me to come with him today.”
“Do you live in the Dayton area?” she asked. Roman could tell his mom was now trying to figure out who Della Rose was to him.
Della shook her head. “No, I live in Somerset Lake. It’s a little lakeside town a couple hours from here.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of it,” his mother said on a warm smile. That was the thing about Roman’s mom. She was superficial with all her fancy clothes and focus on outward appearances, but when she smiled, it was authentic. Even if she determined that Della’s wardrobe was unbearable, she wouldn’t hold it against her. His mom valued material things, but she put more value on the traits that went deeper than what a person looked like on the outside. “I think one of our town residents moved there.”
