Evelyn was falling for it again. She didn’t know why she had extended the invitation to him instead of just coming clean to her parents. Now he was taking the role of devoted boyfriend too far. He’d joined in and fit in so easily because that was what he did. He could charm the socks off anyone. And she knew this so why was she falling for it again? Just because they’d danced for the first time? Because he’d looked so vulnerable as if for a change they were having a real conversation? But he had done the same when he’d made her sign the contract. He was good at pretending to be what she wanted. Good at pulling at her heartstrings and making her forget who he was under all of that. 

Roman opened the door before the doorbell could ring and ushered Phillip inside quickly.   “Did you bring it?”   He ignored Phillip’s eye roll as he handed him a bag.   “I said to hide it!” he hissed as he hid the bag in his coat,   “You made me drive all this way for this,” Phillip said.    “It was an emergency,” he said. “And I don’t know why you’re complaining. There’s food here, you were going to find an excuse to come, anyway.”   He walked to the stairs quickly.   “Everyone’s outside. I will be there as soon as I can.”