Page 23 of Teaching Roman

“I’m going in for a swim. Want to come?”

“Terrified of the ocean,” I reminded her.

“That water—” she pointed to the shore—”is as warm and calm as bathwater. At least wade in with me.”

I shook my head, and Cassie threw her hands in the air. I watched as she jogged across the scorching sand and dived into the water like she was on Baywatch, much to the delight of several men on the beach.

After I dragged Cassie out of the water, we hit a local market to stock up on supplies. She might think all we needed was wine, but I’d realized last night how important food was. I’d left my phone at the hotel, not certain I wanted to be reachable. My night with Roman had been spectacular, and we’d agreed to enjoy ourselves this week, but reason and common sense had shown up with dawn’s early light. A fling with a teacher was a bad idea.

“I cannot believe I got my period. Life is unfair.” Cassie continued to search the shelves for tampons, which were the only item she hadn’t packed apparently. “I’m in paradise, completely single, and out of commission.”

Personally, I thought that might be a good thing. It felt crappy to even think it, considering I was already on the rebound, so I kept the thought to myself. I snatched a single blue box from the lowest shelf and held it up triumphantly.

“Hola.” The familiar sound of Roman’s voice raked over my skin, and I bit my lip. Then I realized I had a box of tampons in my hands. Shoving it at Cassie, I spun around and came face to face with Roman and his grandmother. Her eyes crinkled at the edges as she appraised me in a knowing way. Apparently she hadn’t missed his absence last night.

“It’s nice to see you again. I mean, since the airport.” I tripped over my tongue, nearly giving myself away. The good news that Cassie would assume that I was embarrassed for crushing on Roman. I’d tell her about what had happened between us someday, but not while she was nursing her own heartbreak. “We were getting food.”

“Amongst other things,” Cassie said dryly. She made no effort to hide the box of feminine products, and she was probably wondering why I was acting like such a freak about them. Neither of us were the type to act weird over bodily functions. What she didn’t know was that I didn’t want Roman to think I was closed for business.

I guess I did want to see him again.

“Do you cook?” Aba asked.

Cassie let out an ear-splitting laugh before shaking her head. “Oh hell no. But it doesn’t matter I’m on the all-alcohol diet.”

“A few things,” I blurted out before adding, “but not well.”

My best friend shot me an incredulous look. Clearly, she thought I’d lost it. Before she could point this out, Aba stepped in. “If you need to eat, you come to my house.”

“Oh, you don’t have to cook for us,” I said.

She laughed in a near perfect imitation of Cassie before winking at me. “He will cook for you. It’s his job.”

That proved that she definitely knew that Roman and I had been playing house last night. Next to me Cassie seemed confused, but she didn’t ask for an explanation. “I’m going to pay for these as soon as I find the limes.”

“I will show you.” Aba took her arm and began to lead her away. “Roman will help Jessica find what she is looking for.”

“She caught me sneaking in,” he said sheepishly once they were out of earshot. “I didn’t tell her where I was, but…”

“I think she figured it out. Will she tell Cassie?” I noticed how his forehead wrinkled in what was either concern or indignation and hurried to explain. “With her break-up, I thought maybe she wouldn’t want to hear about us.”

His lips twitched as if the idea of us was amusing. “Aba respects my privacy, even if she can’t help gloating. She told me I should marry you after she met you.”

“Marry?” I repeated with a gulp. There was that word again. I couldn’t even avoid it while having a fling.

“Don’t worry I’m not going to drag you to the chapel, but I would like to see you tonight.” A dark strand of hair fell across his forehead, and I resisted the urge to brush it back. Every molecule of my being wanted to touch him. Agreeing to see him was a surefire way to ensure that I did.

“Roman, I…”

“Can I see you tonight?” Roman’s voice was low. A shiver ran up my spine at the urgency in his voice.

I knew I should say no.

I said yes instead.