Chapter 5: The Truth We Can't Ignore

I couldn't breathe.

Not properly.

Not after that kiss.

It wasn't fake.

It wasn't controlled.

And worst of all…

It wasn't forgettable.

I stood outside on the balcony, gripping the railing as cool air hit my face.

Trying to calm down.

Trying to think.

Trying to understand what just happened.

Footsteps approached behind me.

I didn't need to turn.

I already knew.

Roman.

Of course it was him.

He stopped a few steps away.

Giving me space.

That somehow made it worse.

Say something, I said quietly.

You look like you're about to run, he replied.

Maybe I am.

From me or from this?

Both.

Silence fell between us.

Heavy.

Loaded.

I turned around slowly.

His eyes were on me.

Not playful.

Not teasing.

Serious.

Too serious.

That wasn't part of the act, I said.

I know.

Then why did you do it?

Because he needed to see it.

No.

Because you needed to feel it.

The words hit harder than I expected.

I stepped closer.

Don't do that.

Do what?

Pretend this is just strategy.

His jaw tightened slightly.

It's not.

Then what is it?

You really want to ask that?

Yes.

Big mistake.

Roman ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.

I've been in love with you for years, Savannah.

Everything inside me went still.

No.

No, he didn't just say that.

You're joking.

I don't joke about you.

My heart started racing.

Fast.

Uncontrolled.

Since when?

College.

I stared at him.

That's not possible.

You were with Dean.

So?

So I stayed where I belonged.

Which is?

Next to you.

Always next to you.

Never instead of him.

That hurt.

More than it should have.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because you were happy.

I wasn't.

You thought you were.

That silence said everything.

And then?

Then he left you.

I flinched.

And I thought… maybe now…

He stopped.

Maybe now what?

Maybe now you'd see me.

My chest tightened.

But you didn't, he continued.

You just… learned how to survive him.

I looked away.

Because he wasn't wrong.

I didn't move on.

I just… learned to live without answers.

And you?

I stayed.

Of course he did.

Roman always stayed.

That's what scared me.

Because I never had to fight for him.

He was just… there.

Constant.

Reliable.

Safe.

And suddenly…

not safe at all.

Why now? I whispered.

Why tell me now?

Because I'm tired of pretending.

That's ironic.

Yeah.

It is.

Silence again.

But different this time.

Not empty.

Full.

Too full.

I don't know what to do with this, I admitted.

You don't have to do anything.

That's not fair.

Neither is loving someone who doesn't love you back.

That hit.

Deep.

Because I knew exactly how that felt.

Dean.

Roman stepped closer.

But here's the thing, Savannah.

I do love you.

And I'm not pretending anymore.

Not with you.

Not with this.

My throat went dry.

And what if I can't give you that back?

Then we go back to being us.

Like nothing happened?

No.

Honest.

Real.

Messy.

But not fake.

I let out a shaky breath.

You're asking me to risk everything.

No.

I'm asking you to stop hiding behind something that already broke you.

Dean.

Always Dean.

Like a ghost I never buried.

And now…

Roman was standing in front of me.

Real.

Present.

Choosing me.

Not leaving.

Not disappearing.

Just… staying.

Like he always did.

I closed my eyes for a second.

Trying to think.

Trying to feel.

Trying to separate past from present.

Then I opened them.

And looked at him.

Really looked at him.

Not as my best friend.

Not as my safe place.

But as something else.

Something dangerous.

Something real.

Something I never allowed myself to see before.

Roman.

Yeah?

If we do this…

If we stop pretending…

There's no going back.

I know.

And you're okay with that?

I've been waiting for that.

My heart betrayed me right then.

Because for the first time…

I wasn't thinking about Dean.

I was thinking about him.

Roman.

And what it would feel like…

if that kiss wasn't fake.

if that connection wasn't an accident.

if this…

was real.

Inside the house, laughter echoed.

Wedding plans.

Family chaos.

Chloe's perfect life.

Dean's mistake.

And me…

standing between my past and my future.

Roman held out his hand.

Not forcing.

Not rushing.

Just offering.

Like always.

I looked at it.

Then at him.

And slowly…

I took it.

Maybe…

it was time to stop pretending.