From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 5

**Chapter 5: What The Hell, Savannah!**

“Here we go,” I murmured under my breath, the words barely escaping my lips as a mix of excitement and dread churned in my stomach.

Roman turned off the engine, the car falling silent, and then he faced me, his eyes filled with an intensity that made my heart race. “You ready?” he asked, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of concern.

“No,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

He reached across the seat, his hand enveloping mine with a warmth that felt like a lifeline. It was tight, grounding, and in that moment, I felt a flicker of reassurance. “You’re not alone,” he said softly, his gaze unwavering.

With a deft motion, he slipped something onto my finger, and I stared down in disbelief. An engagement ring. A magnificent engagement ring, adorned with a massive blue stone that sparkled even in the dim light of the car.

I glanced up at him, and there it was—the familiar, cocky grin that made my heart flutter. “You forgot that crucial part of the story,” he teased, his confidence radiating.

I was momentarily entranced by the beauty of the ring, which felt cold against my warm skin. “Holy shit. Where’d you get this?” I exclaimed, my voice a mix of shock and awe as I frantically scanned the car for a box, but found none.

“Doesn’t matter,” he replied, his tone shifting to seriousness. “What’s important is we nail this and get back to Philly as soon as possible. Understood?”

My throat tightened, a lump forming as I nodded once, the weight of the moment sinking in.

—

We stepped out together, the cool air hitting my face as I tried to shake off the lingering shock of the ring. Roman moved to my side, placing a reassuring hand on my back, guiding me forward with the confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times before. His sunglasses were perched atop his head, and his trademark smirk was firmly in place.

As we approached the gathering, a collective gasp filled the air, followed by a chorus of excited voices.

Alyssa squealed, “God, he’s hot!”

Lizzy chimed in, “He looks like a young Brendan Fraser!”

Aunt Janice, ever the dramatic one, whispered, “Lord have mercy.”

My mother blinked in surprise, her eyes wide. “He’s… taller than I expected.”

Chloe stood frozen, her jaw slack as the color drained from her face. It was as if she had seen a ghost.

Roman remained by my side as I exchanged hugs and kisses with everyone I hadn’t seen since last year. “Hi, everyone,” I said sweetly, trying to project confidence. “This is Roman Blackwood. My fiancé.”

Roman extended his hand to my mother, his demeanor respectful. “It’s so good to finally meet you, ma’am.”

My mother’s reaction was almost comical; she looked flustered, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “Please call me Flora,” she said, her voice slightly shaky.

Chloe stepped forward, her voice strained with disbelief. “You didn’t say he was… him.”

Roman tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. “She didn’t say you were this blonde.”

The silence that followed was deafening. What was happening here? Was I missing some unspoken tension?

Dean cleared his throat, hands shoved deep in his pockets as he stepped forward. “It’s good to see you again, Sav,” he said before pulling me into an unexpected hug, his warmth momentarily easing my nerves.

I broke free and took a few steps back, positioning myself beside Roman. “Likewise,” I replied, trying to maintain a casual demeanor.

Dean’s brown eyes flickered between Roman and me before he extended his hand toward Roman, puffing out his chest slightly as if preparing for a challenge. “Dean Archer, it’s good to finally meet you. In the flesh.” He smirked, clearly trying to assert some sort of dominance.

Roman’s response was swift, wiping the cocky smirk off Dean’s face in an instant. “You’re a lot smaller than I imagined,” he said, narrowing his eyes as if sizing him up like a specimen under a microscope.

Alyssa burst into laughter, clearly entertained by the exchange, before she pulled Roman into a warm embrace. “Hi, I’m Alyssa. I’m Savannah’s older sister,” she introduced herself, pointing to little Emily, who was still standing beside our mother. “And that’s my daughter, Emily.”

Roman smiled—a genuine, heartfelt smile. “It’s good to finally meet you, Alyssa. You’re a lot prettier in person. Sav has told me a lot of good things about you.”

Alyssa blushed, clearly flattered by his compliment.

He waved at a shy Emily. “Hi, Emily!”

Roman seamlessly transitioned into small talk with my aunts and relatives, and so far, he was doing remarkably well. He appeared relaxed and convincing, as if he belonged here.

Chloe, however, stood off to the side with her arms folded, her lips twisted in a frown. What was her problem?

“Come, Roman. My husband’s been dying to meet you,” my mother said, practically dragging him inside, leaving me with Alyssa, Chloe, and Dean.

“I’ll help you bring in your luggage,” Dean offered, stepping forward.

“No, thanks. I can manage,” I replied, trying to assert my independence.

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