ROMAN'S POV

“No, not at all. I’m sure you saw the other vehicle that passed you just before you stopped here. That was Lauren. I’m standing here because I was seeing her off,” I said, my voice steady, calm, carrying just enough casualness to hide the tension under the surface.

“Seeing her off?” Elizabeth asked, a little confused, her brow slightly furrowing, eyes narrowing ever so subtly as if she was trying to read my tone, to figure out whether I was serious or joking.

“Yes. ...