ROMAN'S POV

 “No, not at all. I’m sure you saw the other vehicle that passed you just before you stopped here. That was Lauren. I’m standing here because I was seeing her off,” I said, my voice steady, calm, carrying just enough casualness to hide the tension under the surface.

 “Seeing her off?” Elizabeth asked, a little confused, her brow slightly furrowing, eyes narrowing ever so subtly as if she was trying to read my tone, to figure out whether I was serious or joking.

 “Yes. Didn’t she inform you that she wasn’t going to be around when you came?” I asked, letting my gaze linger just long enough for...