Chapter 172 I'm The Boss Savannah “You sure this looks good? I hate this shit,” Roman muttered for the millionth time, fiddling with the knot until it resembled a wrinkled mess. “I actually think I look stupid.” I laughed, throwing the covers off and sitting up on the bed, wincing a little. The repercussions of spending the entire morning testing Roman's stamina and trying to see how quickly this bed could break. “You don’t look stupid. You look dashing.” He turned to face me, and just like that, his hands stilled. His gaze flicked down my body slowly, tracing the outline of my bare body as the sheets slipped off me. He wolf-whistled. “Damn, sexy.” I tried to look unimpressed but ended up laughing. “My eyes are up here, mister.” He smirked. “These eyes have a mind of their own.” “They better not wander too far, or I’ll poke them out,” I teased, sliding out of bed and padding across the room to him.Roman sighed dramatically, still tugging at his tie like it personally offended him. “I swear this thing was invented by someone with a grudge.” “It’s just a tie, drama king.” I stepped close and adjusted it, pretending to inspect it like some high-fashion expert. “See? Teal goes great with navy. I told you it would.” But up close, I started to frown. The combination didn’t exactly scream “finance guy.” It screamed “trying too hard.” “Yeah,” I admitted slowly. “Okay. Maybe you’re right. You do look a little stupid.” His mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?” I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, but I failed miserably. “Sorry.” “Ha! Told ya,” he said, yanking the tie off and tossing it toward the bed before disappearing into the closet. “I thought it would look good,” I defended myself, calling after him. His voice floated out from inside. “In your imagination, maybe!” “Exactly!” I said, still laughing.A moment later, he stepped out again, holding a red tie that practically glowed against his white shirt. “This one’s better,” he said, looping it loosely around his neck. “That’s definitely more you,” I agreed, admiring how effortlessly the color suited him. He handed it to me, eyes glinting. “Help me, baby.” I arched my brow. “You sure you’re not just using me as an excuse to stare?” “Maybe,” he admitted shamelessly. I took the tie, standing right in front of him, completely naked while he was completely dressed. His breath hitched. He didn’t even try to hide how his gaze roamed. Usually, I would’ve covered myself, but with Roman, it felt different. I’d long since stopped feeling insecure under his eyes. He didn’t just look—he adored. I looped the tie around his neck and started knotting it slowly, aware of his hands finding their way to my hips, then lower. “Roman!” I squealed as his fingers gripped the curve of my ass. He feigned innocence. “What? Can’t a man appreciate perfection?”“You’re impossible,” I muttered, biting down a laugh. “You love it,” he said with that smug grin that always made my knees feel like jelly. When I finished the knot, I patted his chest and took a step back, leaning against the vanity. “There. Done. Now you look perfect.” He turned toward the mirror, admiring himself briefly, then looked back at me. “Not as perfect as you.” “Flattery won’t make me forget you’re supposed to leave for work ten minutes ago.” He checked his watch and groaned. “Five more minutes.” “Nope.” I crossed my arms, grinning. “You promised you wouldn’t be late today.” “Who even made that promise?” “You did. When you were trying to seduce me.” He groaned again, defeated. “Fine. You win, woman.” I smiled, satisfied, and reached for my robe. As I slipped it on and tied the sash, I caught his reflection watching me with something softer than mischief—something tender.“What?” I asked. “Nothing. Just admiring the view,” he said, voice low. I shook my head, smiling. “You really need to go before you get fired.” “I am the boss.” “Then fire yourself for being late.” He chuckled, sliding his watch onto his wrist. “Oh!” I said suddenly. “Will you be home in time for dinner? I was thinking of making something nice for us.” Then I added quietly. “And Reese.” He froze mid-motion, glancing at me in the mirror. “Reese?” “Yeah.” I shrugged. “I’m trying to be civil. If he tries anything stupid, I’ll break his nose.” Roman laughed, shaking his head. “That’s my girl.” He leaned in, kissing me on the forehead, the nose, the cheek… and finally the lips. That one lingered. His kisses always lingered. I melted into him, fingers curling into his lapel. When his mouth started wandering down my neck, I giggled between breaths. “You really need to get to work.” “I could cancel,” he murmured against my skin. “I’m the boss.” I laughed, pushing him away gently. “Go before I start thinking that’s a good idea.” He groaned, dragging himself toward the door like a sulking child. “Fine. You’re no fun.” I rolled my eyes. “You say that every time I stop you from ruining your schedule.” He glanced down at his phone, frowning. “Someone’s definitely getting fired today,” he muttered. “Oh, they're all gonna get it from me today. All of them.” “Don’t be an asshole,” I scolded, smacking his arm. He caught my hand and kissed it. “Bye, baby.” “Have a lovely day, daddy,” I said without thinking, the words slipping out in a teasing tone. He froze, halfway through the door. His head turned slowly. “Say that again.” “Daddy,” I repeated, this time softer—and more deliberate. His expression changed instantly. The color drained from his face, then flooded back in disbelief and awe. “Sav…” His voice cracked a little. My heart fluttered. “Yeah.” “Oh fuck!” He whispered, crossing the distance in three strides and cupping my face. “We’re actually going to be parents?” Tears filled my eyes. “If the test is right… yes.” He pressed his forehead to mine, breathing unevenly. “You changed my entire life, Sav.” I smiled through the blur. “You better go now, before I start crying again and you decide to stay.” He exhaled a shaky laugh. “Alright, alright.” He kissed me again — slow, reverent, full of everything we’d fought to build together. “I love you.” “I love you too.” When he finally stepped out, the silence that followed was so still it made me ache. I went to the window and watched him cross the driveway, get into his car, and drive away. And then, the smile faded from my face. I turned, opened the closet, and pulled out the test kit I’d hidden beneath my suitcase. My hands trembled so badly the box slipped once before I caught it. I exhaled slowly, pressing my palm to my stomach. “Okay. Just one time.” I followed the instructions just as carefully as I could. This was supposed to be the confirmation, the one that told me my body hadn’t been playing tricks on me. When I finished, I set the test down and backed away, refusing to look. The waiting part was the worst—the seconds stretching into minutes, my heartbeat loud in my ears. I couldn’t just stand there, so I turned on the shower and stepped in, hoping the water would wash away the nerves. I sang to distract myself—old songs, random lyrics—anything to keep me from counting the minutes. But even the music couldn’t drown out the pulse of fear beneath my skin. When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a towel, steam fogged the mirror. My fingers were shaking as I wiped it clear. “Alright,” I whispered to myself. “Moment of truth, Savannah.” I leaned closer. My eyes searched the little window on the test strip. One line. Just one. For a moment, I didn’t breathe. My chest felt hollow, my throat tight. “No…” The word came out in a whisper. “It can't be.” I blinked, convinced I was seeing it wrong, that maybe I’d checked too early or maybe the lighting was off. I picked it up, turned it over, and checked again. Still one line. Negative. The word hit me like a bucket of ice water. I sank against the sink, towel clutched tight around me. My heart had been so full minutes ago—full of warmth, of laughter, of plans. Roman’s smile replayed in my mind, his eyes lighting up when he realized what I’d meant earlier. He’d looked at me like the universe finally made sense. And now… nothing. The silence was deafening. Tears filled my eyes before I even realized they were there. I sank to the cold tile floor, the test still in my hand, my breath hitching in tiny, uneven gasps.It wasn’t fair—how hope could feel so real one moment and vanish the next. I thought of how Roman had kissed me goodbye, how happy he’d looked when he said we’re going to be parents. The words echoed in my head, cruel now, haunting my very soul. I pressed the test to my chest, the plastic edge digging into my palm. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, as if he could somehow hear me from miles away. For a while, I just sat there, the sound of the dripping shower the only thing breaking the silence. Eventually, I stood up, wiped my face, and placed the test gently back on the counter. I looked at myself in the mirror again — eyes red, cheeks wet, mouth trembling — and tried to smile. It didn’t work. I took a deep breath and whispered, “Tomorrow. I’ll try again tomorrow.” But even as I said it, part of me already knew what tomorrow might bring. And for the first time in a long while, I didn’t know how to face Roman.