Chapter 151

Roman's POV 

Aria is definitely going to appreciate all this chocolate, I thought to myself as I stared at the love basket sitting neatly on the table. 

I lowered myself onto the couch, running a hand over the armrest absentmindedly. The room was quiet except for the soft ticking of my wristwatch. Lauren had gone to answer the door a few minutes ago, and she said it was probably Tessa. But now it had been over five minutes.

What’s taking her so long?

I checked my watch again. Maybe Tessa decided to chat a little longer at the door. Still, Lauren wasn’t the type to just linger in small talk, especially not when there was food to put away.

Something felt… off.

Then, I heard her voice.

“What are you doing here? How did you find this place?”

Her tone wasn’t the usual calm, polite one I’d grown used to hearing from her. It was sharp, laced with irritation, and underneath that, something else. 

I straigh