From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 11

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**

**Chapter 11**

Dean’s jaw tightened, the muscles working beneath the surface like a coiled spring ready to snap.

“That’s odd,” Chloe remarked, tilting her head ever so slightly, her brow furrowing in curiosity. “Because when I called Savannah last year on her birthday, she didn’t mention anything about a boyfriend. Not even a fiancé.”

“Maybe I just wasn’t worth mentioning,” Roman replied, his tone smooth yet laced with a hint of thorns, a subtle reminder of the complexity beneath his charm.

I couldn’t help but grin at the banter. “No, it’s not that at all. He was just too good to share, right? Remember what happened the last time I introduced you to my boyfriend, Chlo?”

The sound of Dean’s fork clattering against his plate echoed through the room, a sharp reminder of the tension that lurked beneath the surface.

“Yeah, I think we all remember,” I said, a playful smirk dancing on my lips.

Roman’s hand slipped beneath the table, settling on my thigh with a warmth that radiated possessiveness. It was a dangerously intoxicating gesture, one that sent a thrill through me. I dared not look at him, afraid of the intensity in his gaze.

“You’re in finance, correct?” my mother inquired, her smile polite and welcoming, yet I could sense her curiosity bubbling beneath the surface.

“Yes, ma’am. Mergers and acquisitions,” Roman replied, his charm cranked up to a level that could light up the room. “But Savannah is truly the impressive one here.”

I blinked in surprise. “I-I am?”

“Absolutely,” Roman continued, his eyes shining with admiration. “She basically runs her department. Smartest person in the room. Most days, I just try to keep up.”

Aunt Thelma made a thoughtful sound, her approval evident in her expression.

Dean’s voice broke through the moment, casual yet laced with an undercurrent of something else. “I remember you always had a knack for numbers, Sav.”

I didn’t meet his gaze. “And I remember you always had a penchant for secrets.”

A soft cough escaped Chloe, breaking the tension that hung in the air.

Roman’s thumb brushed against my thigh, a subtle yet comforting gesture that felt possessive in the best way.

“So, when’s the big day?” Lizzie chimed in, her voice bright with excitement. “You both seem pretty eager for the part that comes after the wedding.”

Alyssa let out a snort of laughter, clearly amused.

Roman leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he murmured, “Well? You want to tell them, love?”

A wave of exhilaration washed over me, realizing he was giving me the reins this time.

“Next spring,” I replied quickly, my voice steady. “A small wedding. Beachside. Just us and the people we love.”

Dean’s expression soured, as if he had just swallowed a lemon whole.

“Will Dean and I get an invite?” Chloe asked sweetly, her tone deceptively innocent.

I flashed a wide grin in her direction. “Oh honey, if we start inviting exes, we’ll need a whole other venue.”

Dean remained silent, his gaze fixed on me, calculating.

“I did a lazy search, son. You were featured in Forbes?” Dad asked casually, his eyes glinting with pride as he gestured for me to pass the cherry tomatoes.

“Twice,” Roman replied, his tone dismissive of any notion of humility. “But who’s counting?”

Dean stabbed his steak with a ferocity that suggested it owed him money.

“You brought the Aston Martin Vantage?” my father continued, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. “I’ve always said you can tell a man’s character by the car he drives.”

“Oh God,” I muttered under my breath, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

Roman adjusted his cuffs, his demeanor calm and calculated. “It was either that or the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe.”

I glanced at Chloe, noting how tightly she gripped her fork, her knuckles white with tension.

Dad’s face beamed with pride, as if he were watching his son achieve greatness. “I like this man, Savannah. This is the first time you’ve made me proud.”

Dean’s jaw clenched as Chloe leaned in, whispering something to him. His hand continued to twirl the wine glass slowly, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on me.

Chloe pulled back with a forced smile, while Dean’s calculating eyes bore into me, his lips pursed into a tight line as he leaned back with an exaggerated sigh.

“Sav, everything seems a little too fast-paced,” Chloe began, her voice laced with concern. “So we were all kind of wondering, are you pregnant, sis?”