Page 80 of Lease to Love

His next words confirmed it.

“I'm sorry you went through that,” he said sincerely. “I'm glad you got through it.”

I blinked back tears, because that sounded entirely too close to I'm glad you're still here.

“Thank you,” I said, because I didn't know what else to say.

Apparently, Roman didn't either. His mouth twitched once, then twice, like he'd started to say something and changed his mind.

Then he started reaching for my hand across the table.

His fingers got dangerously close to mine… And I didn’t pull them away.

Just then, our food showed up.

Roman's spicy chili half-smoke and my chili fries.

I was insanely grateful for the distraction—and for the reason to keep our hands busy and far away from each other.

I started devouring my fries like the starving woman I was. Chili fries were great for burying feelings, and I wasn't trying to be cute for this man. Quite the opposite.

“Damn, Sunshine,” Roman said, biting into his half-smoke. “It's not gonna bite you back. Slow your ass down before you choke. I'd hate to have to find another girlfriend.”

There he was.

Snarky Roman.

Asshole Roman.

This version of him I could handle.

“I'll bite you if you keep telling me how to eat,” I shot back with a smirk. “Mind your half-smoke.”

He smirked back, looking at me for a second before his eyes darted to my mouth.

My heart skipped a beat.

I knew I should've chewed with my mouth open. Extra onions and eating like a construction worker clearly weren't sufficient Roman Repellent.

“What?” I snapped around a mouthful of food.

Roman said nothing. He just reached across the table and wiped a bit of chili off my cheek with his thumb.

I froze.

The touch was gentle. Gentler than I thought he knew how to be.

“Had chili on your face,” he said, wiping his thumb on a napkin. “And you were worried about me getting it on my shit.”

My skin tingled where he'd touched me, the warmth of his hand lingering even though it had only been a split-second touch.

I didn't want to think about it.

So I wouldn't.

“Reach over here without warning me again, and you're pulling back a nub,” I said, forcing a smirk. “I don't play about these chili fries.”

Roman picked up his half-smoke and smirked.