ROMAN'S POV

I let out a small sigh, my gaze flickering between the manager standing nervously at the door and Lauren, who now looked as if she’d rather vanish than be interrupted. The moment between us had just begun to feel natural, balanced even, and now it was being broken by yet another piece of office business.

“Sure,” I said finally, keeping my tone calm but clipped. “She’ll be down in a minute.”

The manager nodded quickly, giving a small, respectful bow before leaving the ...