Chapter 13 - THE FIRST TIME HE ASKED
Roman waited until Adeline was no longer employed by his household before asking her to dinner.
He came to the workshop one evening.
She was sanding a small wooden chair.
“Adeline.”
She looked up.
“Roman?”
He smiled.
“Would you have dinner with me?”
She laughed.
“Is this a business meeting?”
“No.”
“A favor?”
“No.”
She set down the sandpaper.
“Then what is it?”
Roman took a breath.
“A date.”
Adeline stared.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she smiled.
“You look nervous.”
“I am.”
She laughed.
“Roman Bellandi is nervous?”
He nodded.
“Very.”
She studied him.
Then said:
“I don't want to be someone's project.”
Roman's expression softened.
“You aren't.”
“I don't want to be rescued.”
“I know.”
“And I won't give up my business to become part of your world.”
Roman smiled.
“I wouldn't ask you to.”
Adeline looked at him.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
He blinked.
“Okay?”
“Yes.”
Roman laughed.
She smiled.
“But I'm choosing the restaurant.”
“Of course.”
“And you're not bringing six guards to the table.”
He hesitated.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Roman.”
He laughed.
“I'll arrange appropriate security discreetly.”
She smiled.
“Better.”
Their first date was at a small Italian restaurant near the river.
They talked about their childhoods.
Their families.
Their mistakes.
Roman told her about the burden of his name.
Adeline told him about growing up in a house where every piece of furniture had been made by her father's hands.
At the end of the evening, Roman walked her to her door.
He hesitated.
“May I kiss you?”
Adeline smiled.
“Yes.”
May you like
He kissed her gently.
And for the first time in years, she felt that love might be something she could choose without losing herself.
