Page 61 of Lease to Love

And I didn’t know what to do with that.

When we pulled up in front of House of Autumn, he killed the engine.

I looked at the building, then back at him, gripping my clutch entirely too hard.

What exactly were people supposed to do after fake dates with landlords they hated? Was there a protocol?

Did I go for a handshake? A high five? "Good job pretending to like me"?

I had no idea.

And I didn't know whether I wanted him to kiss me or kick me out of the car.

We sat in silence for several agonizing seconds before he turned toward me.

"You did good tonight, Sunshine."

His voice had no bite. No sarcasm. Just genuine praise.

I smiled despite myself. "You didn't do too bad yourself, Mr. Burns."

I said it because I needed to break the tension.

He smiled.

A real one. The one from the gala.

Damn it.

My heart stumbled… And suddenly I wanted him to kiss me.

Not fake-kiss me.

Not kiss me because somebody was watching.

I wanted him to kiss me because he wanted to.

That realization should have terrified me.

And it did… But not enough to make me move.

Roman opened his door.

Came around to mine.

Opened it.

He helped me from the car and walked me toward the apartment above the shop, his hand returning to the small of my back.

I told myself it was habit. Muscle memory. Part of the performance.

Nothing more.

When we reached my door, I turned toward him and he was close. Too close for a normal doorstep goodbye.

That was the first thing I noticed.

The second thing was that he hadn't stepped back.