“It’s fucking fantastic. I thought about just plowing forward and getting a director and start looking for funding without talking to you, but I realized that was me manipulating you in a different way.”
“And you getting me an agent is somehow different?”
“You got an agent? Who did you sign with?”
“Are you trying to pretend that you don’t know?”
“I really don’t. I sat down and made a list of the top five literary sharks in the business and sent your screenplay to them. Who are you signing with?”
It was sweet the way he kept praising me even when I was needling him. Damn, why’d he have to be so charming? “I have an appointment next week to talk to Karen Hutchinson.”
“Yes! She’s the best.” Rome pumped his fist as his grin grew even wider. “I knew she’d love your writing if she just read it. But you might want to hold off on signing with her. Give the other agents some time to read your script and see if she’s really the one you want. I know without a doubt that more than one of them will want to represent you.”
His continued praise unnerved me. So I did what any introvert would do, I deflected. “I still can’t believe you read my screenplay and then sent it out. It wasn’t ready. I needed more time before agents saw it.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. Your screenplay is amazing. You’re amazing.” Rome paused as he looked down at me and finally he shook his head. “I feel like we keep circling and circling this. What else was I supposed to do? I understood what I did was wrong and I wanted to show you that I was putting you and your needs first. I didn’t use my influence at all. None of the agents knew about my connection with you. You did the work. You wrote that amazing story. You earned it.”
I stared in disbelief at the tears welling in his eyes. He felt so strongly about this, aboutmeand my work. My heart lurched painfully in my chest.
And then he continued. “I just want you in my life, Sophia. I love you so fucking much. I’ve never felt this for anyone. Ever. Please give me another chance.”
I felt my resolve weakening. He looked so earnest and was saying all the right things. He loved me. This amazing, talented, gorgeous, and thoughtful man in front of me loved me.
Me.
“I love you too,” I whispered back.
“What?” Rome blinked and took a step closer to me.
“I love you, too,” I said in a stronger voice. “And that’s why it hurt so much to hear you and your publicist talk about staging pictures like our relationship was an act. And to learn that you took the choice out of my hands at the very beginning. That hurt, Rome. A lot.”
“I’m so sorry, baby. I swear if you’ll give me another chance, I won’t treat you, your feelings, and your needs so glibly ever again. I’ll protect you with my dying breath. You mean everything to me, Sophia Scott.”
I let him pull me to my feet. And I looked up at him through the tears sheening my eyes. “You mean everything to me, Ro.”
He closed his eyes as an expression of relief swept over his face. “That right there is why I love you so much. Because somewhere along the way, I stopped being Roman Grier to you. I never thought I’d hear you call me Ro again. Thank you.”
And then he pressed his lips against mine in the sweetest, gentlest kiss ever.
That after a few beats heated up and turned quite dirty.
I was panting when I finally pulled away due to lack of oxygen.
Rome rested his forehead against mine. “You ready to come home?”
“Aww, you’re cute.” I laughed. “Do you seriously think you’re getting out of meeting my parents? You came to the lion’s den, pal, you gotta pay the price.”
Rome groaned and dropped his head back. “Any chance they’ll like me and not think I’m the biggest asshole ever?”
“Well, you already met my dad, but to be honest, he was having a blast being the mean, protective father. I didn’t know he had that in him. But it wasn’t all show. You’re definitely going to have to win them over, because right now, they’re not that impressed.” I squeezed his shoulder then grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the house. “It might take a couple of years.”
“That’s time I’m more than willing to serve.”
Six months later
Roman Grier to Star in Action Film Penned by Fiancée
Roman Grierwill star in an action-adventure treasure hunt caper,Lost Heart, written by his fiancée,Sophia Scott, Lumiere Brothers Studios announced Friday.