AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He started again. “I didn’t mean to imply anything negative about Stacy. She’s a very nice woman, very sweet—when she wants to be.” He dropped his head and released a groan. “I need to stop talking now.”
Cara gave a soft laugh. “I get it, really I do. It’s hard to have the talk when you don’t know what you really want.”
He lifted his head at this. “Exactly.” He stood from the counter and texted something back on his phone. “I should really go, if only to get this over with. She’s been way too flirty, crossing boundaries, if you know what I mean.” He winced.
Cara smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I mean, who would I tell? My bull-riding brother?”
Roman’s smile appeared.
Cara was pretty sure her heart fluttered, although it had no business fluttering.
“Thanks for the food,” Roman said. “Do you want help cleaning up?”
Cara waved a hand. “No, go . . . get your talk over with.”
He seemed to hesitate, as if he’d prefer doing dishes over talking to Stacy.
This made Cara a bit pleased for some reason.
“Right,” he said. “And thanks . . . for the listening ear.”
Now it was Cara’s turn to blush. “Anytime.” Cheesy, absolutely cheesy, but she meant it. Even if she shouldn’t think of Roman De Marco as someone she could always have late-night chats with.
Roman headed out of the kitchen, and it took a full minute before Cara had her senses back and she started cleaning everything up. But her thoughts wouldn’t stop spinning. She was curious about all Roman had said about his late wife, Liz, and how he was reluctant to have “the talk” with his girlfriend. Was Stacy his girlfriend? Would tonight’s conversation determine that?
It was none of Cara’s business, and she’d make sure it stayed none of her business.
After all, she was here to cook for a week, then she’d be back in California. Where there was sun and blue skies, even during the winter.
“Oh, there you are,” Jerry said, coming in.
Cara blinked, then blinked again. He was wearing a paisley robe and leather slippers. “You’re wearing PJs around?”
Jerry grinned. “It’s after hours.” He moved around her and tugged open the fridge door. Then he reached for the freezer door. “What’s cold, sweet, and chocolaty in here?”
“The ice cream?”
“Bingo.” Jerry picked up a pint of double-fudge ice cream. “Want some?”
“No, I’m good.” She ran the water in the sink, washing down bits of food.
“What was all that about?” Jerry asked.
She looked over her shoulder.
He waved a hand. “You and Roman De Marco. Sounded like a pretty serious conversation.”
Cara turned fully around and set her hands on her hips. “You were eavesdropping?”
Jerry’s eyes widened. “Easy. I was decidedly not listening in. I was simply coming to the kitchen when I heard voices. So out of politeness, I paused in the hallway and waited until a better time to make an entrance.”
Cara narrowed her eyes. “You were eavesdropping.”
“Okay, maybe just a tad.” He winked.
Cara tossed a dishcloth in his direction. It landed harmlessly on the counter next to him.
Jerry waggled his eyebrows. “You’re becoming mighty friendly with De Marco. Not that I blame him. If I weren’t already committed, I’d ask you out.”
