“It’ll be fine,” Tessa said.
“No, no,” Lacey said. “That’s…too much. He’ll want your autograph and…you’re famous.”
Was she out of her mind? Tessa just laughed and tugged Roman’s T-shirt sleeve. “It’ll take two minutes, no autographs. You stay with the stuff, Lace. Come on, famous guy. Let me show you off.”
He walked with her, laughing. “Nothing to show off, really.”
“I don’t know about that or why”—she threw a look over her shoulder—“Lacey is acting so odd.”
“She’s just protective of me,” he said. “I like it.”
Tessa grinned at him. “You better stop being perfect, young man.”
“Hardly,” he scoffed.
“I mean it. You make that girl fall in love and leave us and I’ll never forgive you.”
He gave her a quick look, an unreadable expression in his eyes. But it was just enough to make Tessa uneasy. Why?
Was he planning to do just that? Leave her with a broken heart? She really wanted to know what his motivations were and intended to find out. Was he too good to be true? Tessa could suss that out in no time.
At the marina office, she peered into the open door, only seeing Clay at the desk.
“Hey, Tessa. Taking your boat out today?” he asked.
“I am, but I was looking for Seamus.” She stepped inside, inviting Roman to join her. “I wanted to introduce him to?—”
“Oh, I know you. Wait. Are you…Roman Matteo?” Clay stood up, his jaw loose. “No way, man! Itisyou!”
Roman smiled and took a step closer, the picture of humility. “Hi. Clay, is it? Have we met? I’m Roman.”
Clay took the hand Roman offered, shaking it way too hard. “This is insane! I’m a huge Jags fan! I make the drive to Jacksonville for at least one game every season and…wow. What are you doing here?”
Roman gave an easy laugh. “Fishing, I hope.”
“How…what…I can’t believe this.” He came around the desk, looking starstruck. “Seamus is going to be bummed he missed meeting you. Although, dude, you need to get off the bench more.”
Roman chuckled. “No kidding. Hey, I’m just glad I get to wear the jersey, but thanks. And I’ll be back to meet everyone. I’m here in Destin until training kicks into high gear.”
“That’s awesome. How do you two know each other?” he asked Tessa.
Roman glanced at her, giving that odd look again, making something deep inside her ring out an alarm.
“I’m dating Lacey Knight,” he said.
“Vivien Lawson’s daughter,” Tessa reminded Clay.
“Ooh.” The other man’s brows shot up. “That’s cool.”
And speaking of Lacey, she was probably melting in the sun with the cooler and gear. “Is Seamus going to be here today?” Tessa asked.
“He’s not,” Clay said. “But he’ll be back.”
“And so will I,” Roman promised.
“And we have some equipment to donate,” Tessa added.
Clay gushed some more and then they said goodbye and walked back out into the sunshine. Before they took a step, Tessa put a hand on Roman’s arm and looked up at him.
