Chapter 4: Fake Kisses, Real Fire

The rest of breakfast felt like a silent battlefield.

Every glance.

Every word.

Every breath.

All calculated.

All observed.

Especially by Dean.

I could feel his eyes on me even when I refused to look at him.

Which was exactly what Roman told me to do.

Look at him instead.

And somehow… that was worse.

Because the more I looked at Roman, the more real this started to feel.

Not fake.

Not controlled.

Dangerous.

After breakfast, Chloe clapped her hands again.

Okay everyone, we have wedding prep to do!

Of course she did.

She turned to me.

Sav, come with me. We need to finalize fittings.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Roman squeezed my hand lightly.

Go, he said softly.

I'll be right here.

I nodded.

Big mistake.

Because the moment I stepped away from him…

I felt it.

That shift.

That loss of balance.

Chloe dragged me upstairs into her room.

The moment the door closed, her smile dropped.

That ring is not normal, she said.

I raised an eyebrow.

Excuse me?

That's not a casual engagement ring.

It's just a ring.

No, she snapped. It's a statement.

I crossed my arms.

So?

So I didn't think Roman had that kind of taste.

Something in her tone made my chest tighten.

Careful, I said quietly.

She smirked.

Relax, Sav. I'm just surprised.

Yeah?

Yeah. Because last time I checked, Roman wasn't the kind of guy you fall for.

I didn't fall for him.

Right.

Her eyes studied me carefully.

You always go for complicated men.

I didn't respond.

Because she wasn't wrong.

And we both knew who she meant.

Dean.

Chloe tilted her head.

So tell me…

Does he kiss you like Dean used to?

Something inside me snapped instantly.

That's none of your business.

Oh come on, she laughed. I'm just curious.

Curious about your sister's relationship?

Curious about how fast you replaced him.

I stepped closer.

You didn't replace him, Chloe?

Silence.

Sharp.

Tense.

Her expression hardened.

That's different.

Is it?

Yes.

How?

Because he chose me.

The words hit like a slap.

I smiled.

Fake.

Cold.

Then I guess we'll see how long that lasts.

Her eyes narrowed.

Don't start something you can't finish.

I already did, I said softly.

And I'm not backing out.

For a second…

we just stared at each other.

Then she turned away like nothing happened.

Typical Chloe.

Pretend everything is perfect.

Even when it's not.

Even when it's breaking.

I left the room before I said something I couldn't take back.

And the moment I stepped into the hallway…

I saw him.

Dean.

Leaning against the wall like he'd been waiting.

Of course he had.

Savannah, he said quietly.

I stopped.

Wrong move.

We were alone.

Too close.

Too familiar.

Don't, I said immediately.

Don't what?

Don't say my name like that.

Like what?

Like you didn't destroy it.

Something flickered in his eyes.

Regret.

Real this time.

I need to talk to you.

No, you don't.

Yes, I do.

You had years, Dean.

I didn't—

You did.

Silence.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

I took a step back.

We're done here.

We're not done, he said.

We are.

You're engaged.

Yeah.

That was fast.

So was your wedding.

That shut him up.

For a second.

Then he stepped closer.

Do you love him?

The question hit harder than I expected.

I froze.

And in that one second…

he saw it.

Damn it.

You don't, he said quietly.

You don't know anything about me anymore.

I know you.

No.

You knew me.

Past tense.

Before he could respond—

a voice cut through the tension.

Is there a problem?

Roman.

Of course.

Perfect timing.

He stepped between us without hesitation.

Not aggressive.

Not loud.

Just… there.

Solid.

Unmovable.

Dean's jaw tightened.

We were talking.

Roman didn't even look at him.

He looked at me.

Only me.

You okay?

That question again.

Simple.

But it did something to me.

I nodded.

Yeah.

Roman's hand moved to my waist.

Slow.

Intentional.

Claiming.

Dean saw it.

Of course he did.

And this time…

Roman didn't stop.

He pulled me slightly closer.

Close enough that I felt his breath.

Close enough that everything else disappeared.

Then he said it.

Soft.

Low.

Only for me.

Play along.

And before I could react—

his lips were on mine.

Everything stopped.

Time.

Thought.

Air.

This wasn't fake.

This wasn't practice.

This wasn't controlled.

This was…

real.

Warm.

Deep.

Dangerous.

My fingers gripped his shirt without thinking.

His hand tightened at my waist.

Pulling me closer.

Closer than necessary.

Closer than safe.

For a moment…

I forgot why we were doing this.

I forgot Dean.

I forgot Chloe.

I forgot everything.

Except him.

Roman.

When he finally pulled back…

my breath was gone.

My heart was not okay.

And Dean…

Dean looked like he'd just lost something he didn't realize he still wanted.

Roman didn't even acknowledge him.

He just looked at me.

Soft.

Focused.

Dangerously calm.

You should get some air, he said quietly.

I nodded.

Because I couldn't speak.

Couldn't think.

Couldn't process what just happened.

Because one thing was suddenly very clear.

This fake engagement?

It wasn't fake anymore.