From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 278

**Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**

**Chapter 278**

She lingered there longer than was strictly necessary, her fingers fiddling with the contents of her bag as if she were searching for something vital. Then, with a calculated force, she slammed the door, the sound echoing in the stillness, a deliberate act designed to draw my gaze.

And, of course, I looked.

There she was, standing in the rain, her chin slightly raised, droplets cascading down her cheeks, her hair damp and clinging to her face like a second skin. “Thanks for the ride,” she said, her voice softer, almost vulnerable, a stark contrast to the bravado she usually wore like armor.

I offered her a lazy smile, the kind that felt easy and effortless. “Glad I could help,” I replied, my heart racing slightly at the sight of her.

She nodded, still hovering in that spot, as if the rain had created an invisible barrier between us. “Good night, Reese,” she said, her tone a mixture of finality and something else—something unspoken.

“Good night, Penny. Break a leg tomorrow,” I encouraged, hoping to lighten the weight of the moment.

That brought a genuine smile to her lips—a small, warm one that lit up her face like the sun breaking through clouds. She turned to leave, but then paused, caught in a battle of emotions that danced across her features. I could almost visualize the internal struggle: pride clashing with temptation.

I revved the engine softly, preparing to pull away, and that’s when she faltered.

“Wait!”

I turned my head, curiosity piqued. “Did you forget something?”

She shook her head, lingering at my window, her hesitation palpable. “No. I was just wondering if… you’d like to come in for a while.”

There it was—the opening I had been hoping for, the unspoken invitation hanging in the air like a charged current.

I grinned, maintaining a facade of polite restraint. “That’s kind of you, Penny, but it’s really getting late.”

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, almost coaxing. “I know. Which is all the more reason you should come in—have some tea, or coffee, or even just water.”

Her fingers gripped the frame of my window, knuckles turning white as she leaned in, the rain now soaking through her coat, accentuating every curve of her body. She was making sure I noticed, making sure I felt the weight of her invitation.

I didn’t need to guess at her true intentions. Water, tea, coffee—those were mere excuses.

Her body was the real invitation. The only thing on the menu tonight was her.

With a decisive move, I killed the engine and pocketed my keys, turning to her with a slow, deliberate smile. “Well, how can I resist an offer like that?”

Her lips curved into a slight smile, and she stepped back, gesturing for me to follow her. I exited the car, shutting the door behind me with a soft click. The rain had eased into a gentle drizzle, the world around us muted and serene.

She led the way up the steps to her porch, her hands trembling slightly as she fumbled for her keys. Whether it was the chill in the air or the anticipation of what was to come, I couldn’t tell—and honestly, I didn’t care.

Once inside, the warmth enveloped us, the soft glow of a gold lamp illuminating the cozy space. She slipped off her shoes at the door, and I followed suit, standing by the entrance, allowing the silence to stretch, letting her feel my gaze resting on her.

She turned to me, catching my eye. “Coffee?”

“Sure,” I replied, though I had no intention of actually drinking it.

She disappeared into the kitchen, and I took the opportunity to glance around the living room—still neat, still hers. A blanket draped casually over the couch, a book left open on the table, accompanied by folders and papers stacked neatly beside it. Her faint scent lingered in the air, a nostalgic reminder of moments shared.

A wave of nostalgia washed over me; everything felt achingly familiar, yet charged with a new energy.

I heard the kettle click off, and her voice floated out from the kitchen. “You take sugar, right?”

“Two,” I called back, stepping closer to the kitchen doorway. She looked up, startled, her fingers still hovering over the mug. I leaned against the frame, watching her intently.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

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