Roman POV

Slowly, my hands moved from Amali's shoulders down her back to her hips. She giggled softly as I finally wrapped my arms around her from behind. I pulled her close to me before pressing my lips against her neck. Right where I knew it would drive her crazy.

"Mmmh..." she sighed for a moment.

I could imagine her eyes closed as she leaned her head to the side so I had even more room to let my lips travel.

"If you keep doing that, we won't have any cake to eat," she said softly.

"And that would be the end of the world because...?" I wanted to know without stopping teasing her.

"Because... umm..." she began, but clearly didn't know how to finish the sentence.

"Because you want us to have a nice afternoon with your parents and you want everything to be perfect." I helped her.

"Yes. You really know me pretty well already. I'll give you that, Roman." she replied before turning in my arms so that she could look at me.

"That's nice, isn't it?" I wanted to know and gave her a kiss on the nose.

"It is indeed." Amali said before lifting her hand and smearing whipped cream on my nose in a flash.

"Now you look even more edible than usual." she added before standing on her tiptoes.

She obviously wanted to lick the cream off my nose. But I had another idea. I held my girl tightly so she couldn't escape and then rubbed my nose and the cream all over her face.

Amali laughed out loud as she tried to push me off her. But of course she was unsuccessful. Instead, she just let it happen.

"I love you, you crazy man," she said afterwards as she put her hands on my cheeks.

"I love you too. Maybe we should clean ourselves up. What do you think?" I asked and gave her several little pecks on her full lips.

"I think you're right. But I also think I should save some of the whipped cream for tonight." she replied with a big grin while wiggling her eyebrows.

After we had cleaned up, Amali finished off the really great looking cake. And I could tell she was damn proud of it. Two layers of sponge cake with cream and various berries in between. It looked really delicious.

"Oh damn!" she cursed as she was getting the coffee maker ready.

"What's wrong?" I wanted to know.

"I forgot to get coffee filters. I hope I still have some somewhere..." she replied.

"Don't stress, baby girl. I'll run to the store down the street. I'll be back in 10 minutes at the most." I said and gave her a quick kiss.

"You're an angel, baby." she replied and held me for a moment longer so that she could give me a lingering kiss.

*****

A few minutes later I was in the little store at the corner to get the filters for Amali. That was the good thing about New York. There were these little stores everywhere and they were never far away.

As I walked through the aisles looking for what I needed, I quickly realized that I was being watched by another customer. However, I thought nothing of it. It was probably because I was recognized despite my long-sleeved clothes and sunglasses. Most people were respectful, but there were always exceptions. And the looks from this man were really strange. They seemed almost angry.

I quickly found the filters, went to the check-out and paid. But I had barely left the store when I heard a voice behind me.

"Hey! Just so you know, Roman... You'll never have her all to yourself. Amali is not one to commit. So if you think things are going well between you... Then let me tell you that you're wrong." said the guy from the store as he approached me.

"And you better stay out of things that don't concern you, dude. You were just the jealous type who couldn't handle her strength and confidence. Your loss. But what can you expect from such a pathetic guy. Amali is none of your business anymore." I replied quickly, because I immediately realized who the guy was.

"Sooner or later she'll keep secrets from you. You'll notice that she always leaves the room when she takes a phone call or that she simply disappears for hours on end. That she hides things or feels caught out. Or maybe you've already noticed one or two things. Good luck with that..." he said and then turned to leave.

I could only shake my head. His words had no meaning for me. I realized that he was only saying that because he still hadn't got over Amali. And his pride was probably not yet healed because she didn't want to marry him.

But a little voice in my head whispered to me... There really were moments like the one he described. Sometimes she had done just that. I had never thought anything of it.

These thoughts didn't last long. As soon as I could look into Amali's eyes again, they were blown away. Trust. I had no reason not to trust her.

"Hi... Your timing is perfect. Mom just texted me that they'll be here in 5 minutes." she said cheerfully as I walked in the door.

"Not so nervous anymore?" I asked.

"No, actually not a bit more. And it's all because of you. I just know that they'll be as happy as I am. They just have to love you," she replied and took the coffee filter from my hand.

But before she could disappear into the kitchen, I grabbed her hand. I pulled her close and Amali looked up at me in surprise.

"Are you okay? Are you nervous?" she asked me.

A small crease formed between her eyebrows. I lifted my hand and smoothed it out with my fingertip.

"I'm fine. I was just wondering if maybe I should have gotten your mom some flowers," I replied.

"I know that's not what's on your mind... But I know you'll talk to me about it when you're ready... And about my mother... She doesn't like flowers. Unlike me." she said and then gave me a kiss.