Page 26 of Loving Roman (The Summer Twins #3)

“That’s okay.” My stomach dips. “I’ll leave you guys to catch up.

” After all, I was her dirty secret. She didn’t want him to know about me, or she would have told him about us last weekend.

Not that we were an ‘us’. I’m not even sure we’re an ‘us’ now.

I shake my head at myself. I sound like a teenage girl.

I grab my shoes and sit on the edge of the bed to put them on.

Alice’s normally arched eyebrows are slashed low over her gorgeous blue eyes as she stops me from leaving her bedroom.

“You, uh, don’t have to leave.” Her voice rises in pitch. “How about I make us all some coffee and we can chat?” She glances from me to Noah with a hopeful expression .

I’ll never refuse time with Alice, but I look across to Noah to gauge how he feels about my staying. He dips his chin slightly. It’s not much, but I’ll take it if it means spending more time with Alice and getting to know the two most important people in her life.

As we move out of the bedroom doorway, I notice Heather’s already in the kitchen making coffee.

“Have you guys eaten breakfast yet?” I figure I may as well feed us, since Alice had enough food to make omelets for everyone.

Heather answers, “No, we were worried about Mom, so we got dressed and drove straight here. I think Noah may have broken a few traffic laws on the way.” She huffs out a laugh, and Alice gives Noah an admonishing look as only a mother can.

“I’ve been trying to call you since last night. I was worried,” he says defensively as he shrugs. Well, that explains the early morning visit. “You still didn’t answer first thing this morning when I tried calling again, as I was taking Taco out to do his business.”

Alice collects her purse and checks her phone. “I’m so sorry. My phone’s on silent and well, uh, I was busy?” she answers as though it’s a question, and I find her flustered state adorable. My lips tip up at the edges without permission, knowing I shouldn’t enjoy watching Alice squirm.

I step into the kitchen and make breakfast for everyone while Heather finishes the coffee and Noah and Alice set the table.

Alice apologizes at least a dozen times in the short time it takes to get everything organized.

Heather keeps smirking at me and chuckling under her breath.

I get the impression she’s pretty happy for her mother-in-law.

Hopefully, Noah will be too once he overcomes his shock.

We sit down for breakfast, and the atmosphere is awkward at first. Noah’s having trouble making eye contact with Alice and me.

I decide to put him out of his misery. “I’m sure it was a surprise to find a man in your mom’s house this morning.

I know I wouldn’t respond particularly well if I were in your shoes. Thank you for not decking me.”

Heather laughs. “Noah wouldn’t hurt a fly. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Still. I understand your surprise. I want you to know”—I take Alice’s hand in mine—“that my relationship with your mom is very important to me. This isn’t some fling. I care for her and respect her a great deal.” Even while I’m defiling her. Repeatedly.

Alice smiles at me, and some of the tension seems to leave her body as her shoulders drop.

Noah waves his fork between the two of us and narrows his eyes. “How long’s this been going on?”

Alice squeezes my hand. “We met while I was on vacation. We hit it off and spent quite a bit of time together. Hiking, eating out, relaxing.” She looks at me and smiles.

“On the fourth day of my new job, I was visiting one of The Parkerville Project homes I was telling you about, and there he was. I couldn’t believe my eyes. ”

“Oh my god. That’s so freaking amazing that your paths crossed like that.” Heather looks between the two of us. “So you didn’t know where each other lived or what you did for a living?” Her eyes almost boggle out of her head.

Alice and I both shake our heads in the negative. “Nope. We kept the talk pretty general and just enjoyed spending each moment together. There was no promise of more .”

“That’s so freaking romantic.” Heather nudges Noah. “Isn’t that romantic, honey?”

Noah looks between his mom and me, and after a couple of seconds, a smile grows. “You know. I thought there was something different about you last weekend. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. ”

Alice smiles at her son. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Roman. I wasn’t quite ready.” She turns to me. “I’m also sorry that I kept you a secret. You mean the world to me, and I don’t want you to think otherwise.”

I kiss her hand. “It’s okay, Alice. I understand this is a big step for you.”

We return to eating our breakfast, and I tell them about the kids under my care.

Conversation flows easily, and the atmosphere is friendly and comfortable, which is markedly different from earlier.

As much as I’d love to stay and spend the day with Alice and her family, I need to get back to my kids.

Oliver and Kate were kind enough to have them over to their place for a slumber party, but I don’t want to take advantage of their generosity.

After cleaning up, I say goodbye to Noah, Heather, and Taco before asking Alice to walk me out.

Leaning my back up against my car, I pull Alice between my legs using the belt loops of her jeans. Her hands land on my pecs, and she looks up at me with a gorgeous smile. I notice for the first time that she seems a little less burdened, and her smile appears a little wider.

Touching my forehead to hers, I catch her eyes. “I had a really great time last night and this morning. If it weren’t for the fact we got gatecrashed, I would have been ready to go again, too.” I smirk at her, reminding her of her words after she came out of the shower.

She giggles. “Oh, I don’t doubt that for a minute. I had a great time, too. Any idea when we can do it again?”

I release a long sigh, because I don’t know when I’ll be able to get away again. “I’m not sure. Leave it with me and I’ll work something out.”

She tilts her head to the side. “I don’t mind coming over and hanging out with you and the kids. It doesn’t always have to be an overnight thing. I just want to spend time with you.” She presses her hand over my heart.

And that right there is the reason I know she’s meant to be a permanent fixture in my life. I just need to work out a way to make it happen.