Chapter 11 - THE APOLOGY THAT WASN'T ENOUGH
Roman asked Tessa to dinner in February.
She said no.
He accepted it.
A week later, he asked whether she wanted to get coffee.
She said maybe.
He smiled.
“That's progress.”
Tessa raised an eyebrow.
“Don't get ambitious.”
They met at a small café near the river.
No bodyguards at the table.
No private dining room.
No expensive gifts.
Just coffee.
Roman looked nervous.
Tessa found that almost funny.
“You've negotiated with people who terrify half of Chicago.”
He smiled.
“And yet this is worse.”
“Good.”
He laughed.
Then his expression grew serious.
“Tessa, I owe you more than an apology.”
She looked at him.
He continued.
“I put my hands on you because I thought I could.”
Her face tightened.
Roman didn't look away.
“I was wrong.”
“I know.”
“And I understand if you never want anything to do with me outside work.”
She studied him.
“Then why ask me here?”
“Because I wanted to know you without using power to make it happen.”
Tessa looked down at her coffee.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she asked:
“What do you actually want from me?”
Roman took a breath.
“A chance to earn your trust.”
She looked at him.
“And if I say no?”
“Then I respect that.”
Tessa considered.
She had spent years protecting Eli.
Working.
Surviving.
Making sure nobody could hurt them.
She had forgotten what it felt like to choose something simply because she wanted it.
Finally, she smiled faintly.
“One coffee.”
Roman nodded.
“One coffee.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“And you pay for your own.”
May you like
He laughed.
“Deal.”
