From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 184

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**
**Chapter 184**

**Chapter 112: Five-star Quality**

As Penny stepped forward and introduced herself, a tumultuous storm brewed in my stomach—a chaotic blend of anger, suspicion, and an unsettling heat. I forced a smile, my hand reaching out to meet hers, and I said, “Savannah,” my voice calm and steady, belying the turmoil roiling within me.

Roman’s arm snaked around my waist, a possessive gesture that both anchored and comforted me. “My fiancée,” he declared, his tone deliberate and firm, igniting a warm swell of pride in my chest. Penny’s icy blue eyes darted between us, assessing, unyielding. A subtle, knowing smile curled her lips, reminiscent of a villain relishing in their triumph.

“Fiancée? Hmm.” Her voice dripped with condescension, each word carefully chosen to cut. “Are we still playing pretend for the wedding, Roman? Or have you reverted to being just friends… with benefits?” The acidic undertone of her words made my heart race, tightening my chest in a vice grip.

How could she possibly know so much about our lives while remaining a mystery to me? Just who was she in relation to Roman?

Roman’s grip around me tightened, solid and unwavering, a protective shield against her probing. “We’re not pretending, Penny. I’m in love with Savannah. We’re engaged. For real this time.” His declaration sliced through the tension like a hot knife through butter, and I felt a rush of pride mingle with a nagging insecurity.

Penny’s gaze lingered on us a moment longer before she nonchalantly redirected her attention to her bag. That familiar confidence radiated from her, causing a knot of unease to form in my stomach.

“How’s the little girl, anyway?” she asked, her eyes locked onto Roman as if I were invisible.

“Emily’s doing great,” he replied, his voice warm and genuine. “Thanks for asking.”

In that instant, everything clicked into place.

I suddenly recalled her—she was the lawyer Roman had contacted back in New Hope when my sister’s baby daddy had threatened to take Emily away from us. Ryan. His own brother. Roman had managed to contain the situation then, but Penny had been the mastermind behind the legal maneuvers, digging up dirt on Ryan with precision.

My pulse quickened at the realization. She knew him far too intimately.

“I brought food,” Penny announced with an air of casual indifference, seemingly unfazed by the palpable tension or my presence. “You never eat properly when you bury yourself in work.” Her tone was light yet sharp, as if they had engaged in this dance countless times before.

My chest swelled with pride, even as jealousy twisted within me like a tightly wound coil. He was drawing a line, and for that, I was immensely grateful.

With a playful glint dancing in his eyes, he lifted another taco toward Penny. “Here, try this. It’s really good.”

Penny wrinkled her nose in disdain. “No thanks… tacos aren’t really my thing. They don’t get along well with my stomach.” Her words, clipped and precise, stung sharper than she likely intended.

Roman chuckled softly, his insistence unwavering. “Come on, it’s really good. Don’t be rude just because it’s not Chef Anthony.”

After a moment of reluctance, Penny took a small bite, her expression softening only because Roman had offered it. A surge of anger coursed through me as I watched him feed her in that intimate, playful manner. My hands tightened around my own taco, the heat of jealousy burning fiercely within me.

Why does he even do that? I thought, frustration bubbling to the surface. Does he take pleasure in watching me squirm?

Roman caught my gaze, his eyes darkening with mischief as he handed me a taco from my own container, leaning in close. “Savannah knows me best,” he murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face with a tenderness that grounded me. I took a careful bite, trying to suppress the unease that Penny’s presence stirred within me.