When in Rome (When in Rome, #1)

by Sarah Adams

I like her. She likes me. And we have intense chemistry between us that I can’t indulge.

I don’t think he hates me after all. I think he likes me a little and that scares him.

We make eye contact and he doesn’t smile at first, but the longer he looks at me, his lips start to rise in the corners like he just can’t help himself. And all at once, I think maybe my chances aren’t hopeless after all.

“Dammit,” he whispers and then looks at me one more time. “You look very pretty.” I feel a smile in my soul before it reaches my lips. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” “It is for me.”

I don’t know how to keep things casual. I hate casual. It’s pointless to me. Like city girls wearing Carhartt beanies.

I keep trying to tell myself it’s only attraction, but I’m not sure that even I can believe that anymore. Not when she smiles up at me and it feels like my insides burst with light. When I’m dying to know how her night with my sisters went. Wishing I could cancel my day and spend the whole of it just listening to her talk. I’m terrified.

mixing up another batch. Mabel puts her hands on her ample hips. “And who’s gonna do that?

of his mouth twitching. “Absolutely not. Just trying to live up to the title of Mr.

All they see is Rae Rose now and what she can do for them or give them. You know my mom used to be my best friend? Even she just sees me as a twenty-four-hour ATM now. It sucks. And the thing that’s so weird is I’m rarely ever

months in the big city and how much I hated brushing shoulders with strangers in every corner of it. It was so populated. And busy. Everyone had a purpose at all times. I couldn’t understand for the life of me how city life energized Merritt. How she loved the subway and hailing a

ache. “These rules will work. Let’s follow them, okay?” I hold her gaze and nod slowly. She turns away, heading toward her

I’ve never been good at small talk anyway. My brain just won’t do it. Instead I’m dying to say exactly what I’m thinking: You look gorgeous. I like your jean shorts—I haven’t seen these on you before. Your white tank top is cute. Has your manager bugged you today? I don’t want you to go. I’ve been dreaming of kissing you again. I don’t trust myself alone with you. And I want to hear every single detail of your day from start to finish, don’t leave anything out. I know she’d tell me. She’d spill her pretty guts and her eyes would sparkle and light up like they do when she’s happy. Instead, I don’t say any of this because I’m an addict trying to cut myself off cold turkey. “What about you? How was your day?” “Good. It was good.” “Good.” We both nod. We’re robots doing a poor imitation of humans. Next I’ll bow and she will curtsy. This is so messed up. One amazing kiss and we don’t know how to interact anymore.

Sadness leaks into my heart because more than anything, I want to explore this relationship with Noah. I want to follow my impulses. My heart says, This could be good. Very good. But my mind replays all the valid reasons we can’t. Why Noah doesn’t want it.

to free them. “No, I don’t want to stop. It’s that…” I let out a little whimper and slump over, resting my forehead against his broad chest. “There’s been certain expectations for me in the past. Because I’m…a celebrity and all that, guys have thought I would be a certain way in bed and then seem disappointed when I’m not.” I wince feeling major

I will carry the feel of his smile in my pocket for the rest of my life.

“The future is full of unknowns. We can’t try to figure them all out tonight. Let’s just savor the moments we have together right now.”