LAUREN'S POV 

 Roman chuckled softly, his gaze flicking toward me — calm, unbothered, and utterly in control. He didn’t even have to say much; his silence carried authority.

 “Well, you can say something like that,” Roman replied to the host, his tone smooth and composed, his eyes still on me as if silently daring me to correct him.

 I felt my throat tighten. My pulse fluttered uncomfortably beneath my skin as I forced a small, polite smile. His gaze lingered longer than it should have, and I found myself turning away just slightly, pretending to be interested in the golden chandelier above. I wasn’t sure what to say or how...