“I don’t want to pass any of this mess of a man I’ve become to someone else,” he said. “Besides, we’re good the way we are. Can’t we just enjoy what we have?”

There was fear in his eyes—honest, raw fear—and all I wanted to do was take it away.

“Yes, of course,” I found myself saying. “Just you and me,” I whispered as my eyes roamed the empty house.

What happened to you, Roman?

Roman’s lost and vacant eyes haunted me through the rest of the evening.

I couldn’t stop thinking about our brief conversation.

“I don’t want kids.”

He didn’t want them to be like him.

I didn’t even know how to respond to that.

How could I agree? The man he was happened to be the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

It was crazy. We’d been together for only two weeks, but I knew it to the depths of my soul. As long as I’d held out—waiting, deciding, and debating—over every single step of my relationship with Tyler, I knew none of that was necessary when it came to Roman.

He was it.

Everything I’d ever wanted and more.

How could he not see that?

“Roman tells me you were a history major?” Mrs. Cavenaugh said, interrupting my rapid thoughts.

We’d finished dinner and moved into the living room for casual dessert and coffee. I’d been holding my cup so long that the liquid inside had gone lukewarm.

“Yes.” I smiled. “I’m hoping to find a job in the field soon once my temp position at the company is over.”

“I’m sure you two will miss working together.” She winked. “I helped out Roman’s father from time to time over the years, but we never worked together well. He liked to separate work from home, and I think me being there tended to muddle things too much for him. So, I took a hint and gracefully bowed out, letting the professionals handle his affairs.”

Roman grunted. He’d obviously not meant to do so, and when he caught both of us looking at him, he coughed awkwardly and changed the subject back to me.

“Speaking of jobs, I meant to tell you, Cara. Kevin, the tour guide who showed us around the subway, really enjoyed talking with you, so much so that he asked me for your résumé. He’d like to pass it on to his supervisor. He knows you’re most likely overqualified for a tour guide position, but he’d like to see what else he can do for you.”

My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Are you serious?” I said, nearly knocking over my cup. “That would be fantastic. I’d gladly take a tour guide position, anything really. I’d just be happy to have a job!”