Ms. Calloway (Book 2 in the For Better Or Worse Trilogy)

Chapter 24

The sky was becoming dimmer and dimmer, leaving us no choice, but to retreat to our Airbnb. That is before Roman makes his grand appearance, while we're halfway past the crowded Trevi Fountain. It's one of the few times where I saw him dressed down. Well, as dressed down as Roman Berkshire is capable of. Wearing a black tshirt, a blazer over a single shoulder, and a brown pair of chino pants, is the closest he'll get to 'relaxed' clothing. Unless, his naked chest and gray sweatpants are taken into consideration. Which it is not. At all. Suddenly, there's a heat in the air that is simply inhumane. I pull my hair into a high ponytail to remove the heat growing on my neck.

"Sawyer?"

Eyes. Eyes everywhere. They are all on me, expecting a reaction or words. "I'm sorry? What?"

Scarlette nudges me. "Roman asked what was your favorite part of the day?"

"Oh! Uhhh..." The sweat continued to build on the back of my neck, growing hotter by the second. My mouth went dry as Roman's eyes weighed on me. "Probably the gelato." The gelato tasted delicious, but it certainly wasn't my favorite.

Obvious to everyone, I'm beyond embarrassed. Thankfully, no one knows what the specifics are to make me feel that way. I hadn't thought about that day I slept at his home in a long time. That moment between us, him shirtless and me wearing one of his t-shirts, feels like a millennium ago and like it was yesterday.

They all continue to chat, while I stand off to the side, attempting to gather my bearings. When I think that my clarity has returned, meeting Roman's warm eyes from the front of the group. After some time, the group continue on their way back to the Airbnb, but not before Roman announces that he needs me to stay back and discuss the author he had spent the day with. Skylar's the last one to turn back, flashing me two thumbs up and smiling from ear to ear. Soon enough, there are two.

There's no need for words. The gesture of his arm widening, like he's revealing the Trevi Fountain to me for the first time. A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips, walking until I stand right beside him, admiring the Trevi Fountain yet again. Though, something about this was different than the first time. There were still many people occupying the space, but this time around it feels like I have a space of my own. Like I belong. There was only one difference between then and now. Tearing my green eyes from the aquamarine of the fountain to the pair of whiskey tinted eyes watching me.

"You're missing-"

"I'm not missing a single. Everything worth looking at is right here, in a pair of mesmerizing summer leaves." As usual, he leaves me speechless. These sudden outbursts of romantic declaration were so unexpected that I never could find the exceptional response that would knock him off his feet. After a brief second, he looks towards the fountain. "Missy Beasley." Embarrassment shifts to confusement as I watch him. "The new author. Her name is Missy Beasley."

"Oh!" I nod, shaking away the whiplash. Work. Flirt. Work. Flirt. Sometimes he wanted me. Sometimes he's elsewhere. "The new author." I repeat. It takes me a moment to register his sentence, but soon enough I do. This unreasonable jealousy boils in the pit of my stomach. Absolutely ridiculous, but all encompassing the same. "Is she from here?" I ask, trying to bury this senseless feeling.

"Born and raised." He continues with no idea about the fire he started within me. "She offered several story ideas. Not all good. Not all bad. There's potential there." All the while, I nod. "She might be someone I would invite back to Seattle. We could offer a lot of money. I almost did to be truthful."

"Then why didn't you?" The question was harsher than I intended. But, I wouldn't take it back if I could. This was all great news. A new author from a different country. New stories to tell. New voices to be heard. All of it is so exciting. However, if this can be accomplished by Roman himself, why did he need me? No longer an assistant, but a damsel in distress locked away in his kingdom. What did I offer to him, if not assistance?

"Well, I haven't discussed it with my assistant yet. Her opinion is especially important to further my business. Without her, I've made plenty of mistakes that I end up regretting." He tilts his head towards me, smirking. "So, what do you say? Would you like to discuss it further or should I reluctantly make this decision on my own?"

Trying to hold back a smile, but failing miserably, I nod. "I would like for us to discuss it further." He holds out his arm for me to take, which I do, and starts back towards the Airbnb, while discussing the potentially new author in further detail.

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