Hired Love
Chapter 38

Stacy's blood ran cold. "What?"

"And I think, though I'm not entirely sure, that you both haven't known each other for a long time."

What had given it away?

She considered lying, contemplated sticking to the original sob story they'd fed the rest of the family, but her aunt was far from stupid and more than anyone, she knew Stacy the most.

Stacy sighed, running a hand through her hair and glancing around the garden mindlessly. "Aunt Phoebe, why do you have to be so intuitive?"

"It wasn't that hard to figure out. Besides, I've been following Roman's life since he drew his first painting. He's quite popular. I know his parents are big shots in the business world and he's an only child. I also know he's a Casanova of the highest order."

"Fuck," Stacy groaned. "Alright. You caught me."

"Haven't you ever googled him?" Aunt Phoebe asked, halting in her tracks.

Stacy shook her head, wondering when the rest of the family would figure it out. "Not really. As you said, we've only just met."

"What's going on, Stacy? Why the secrecy?" Concern etched onto her features, her brows scrunching together.

"Aunt Phoebe, please don't ask. Just trust me. I promise I don't mean any harm. I'll tell you everything soon. For now, just trust me and don't say anything to anyone."

They stared at each other for the longest time without saying a word. Stacy pondered what was going through her mind. Would she drop it or not? At the moment, only she and Roman knew what was going on. And now, Aunt Phoebe knew too. Maybe not everything, but enough to bring all this out in the open. If anyone else found out, it would all be over.

"Fine," Aunt Phoebe finally said. "I won't say a word, but I expect a full detailed explanation of whatever it is you have going on as soon as possible, alright?"

She nodded emphatically, smiling in relief. She trusted her aunt more than anyone. "Thank you so much, Aunt Phoebe. I really appreciate this."

"You better."

By the time she got back to the room late in the evening, Roman was already there. She shut the door behind her, stamping the traitorous emotions of glee she felt seeing him again. Even though they weren't in a good place, she'd still missed him.

"Hey, I didn't know you were back." She said, not moving. She interlaced her fingers together to keep them from shaking. Weirdly, she was as nervous as a high school pubescent meeting her crush for the first time.

He stood with his back to her, facing the window. Her room was directly above the garden, and she wondered how long he'd been standing there. Had he seen her with Aunt Phoebe? Had he noticed how frighten she'd been?

"Uh... I just wanted to thank you for what you did at breakfast this morning when Aunt Emma asked about the wedding preparations. That was really thoughtful."

She wanted to ask him how he'd know her mother's birthday, but she doubted he'd respond. Stacy supposed she should've stop talking already but she didn't know how to stop.

"And uh... about this morning, I'm sorry I said what I said. I hadn't meant to hurt you. I should've have "

"Stacy. Please stop talking."

Her mouth closed before her brain registered what had happened. Roman turned to face her and surprisingly, he had a small smile on his face.

"Come here," He gestured to her.

Transfixed, she moved to where he was standing, watching him. Roman wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close to his body. Stacy felt herself relax, felt the tension eviscerate from her body. She rested her head on his chest, wrapping her hands around his waist.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you today." He spoke into her ear, running a hand up and down her hair.

God, what had she gotten herself into? How was it possible that this man seemed to consume her as he did so? And how was it possible that she fell more in love with him as each day passed?

"I thought about you too." She whispered.

"I couldn't wait to come back to you."

"Roman, I'm sorry about this morning."

"It's alright, baby. I know you didn't mean it."

But she did. She knew as much as he did that he was afraid of commitment and only thing she wanted from him was to commit. She didn't respond, only nodded.

"So how was spending time with the guys?" She asked when he pulled away and guided her to the bed.

He shrugged a shoulder, plopping down on the soft bed. "It was alright."

Stacy recognized something else in his eyes that looked a little too similar to excitement, but she didn't comment. She sat down, before laying on her back. Roman followed suit, turning his head so they were staring at each other. "Aunt Phoebe knows." She suddenly said.

"Knows what?" He asked before his eyes widened. "Oh. How?"

"I don't know. She figured it out, I think. Apparently she's a huge fan of yours and has been following your life since you were sixteen."

Roman blinked. "Is she okay? Isn't that a bit weird?"

Stacy chuckled. "A bit, actually."

"Has she said anything?"

"She hasn't and she won't so don't worry. I trust her."

"If you say so."

In a fraction of a second, she wanted to tell him how she felt. The words almost escaped her mouth. But when she thought of his reaction, of him running from her with his tail between his legs, she reconsidered. Being here, with him, for now, had to be enough. It just had to be.