It's been a month of blissful normality, Gerri working for StarGo or whatever the fuck it's called now, and Roman happily unemployed. The RECNY ball is coming up — probably to be renamed the Lukas Matsson Sponsored Circle Jerk or something — and Roman suggests that they go together.

"Don't get me wrong, I love all the secrecy," he says, sprawled across his couch with Gerri's foot in his lap. "All the sneaking around, it's super hot. But maybe we should just tell people that we're dating. It's not like we have anything to be ashamed of."

"Speak for yourself." Gerri barely looks up from her paperwork.

"So that's it. You're ashamed of me?"

She looks up. "Of course not. But you know what people will say about us, and I'll get the worst of it. No fool like an old fool. And you, people will be calling you a pervert with mommy issues."

"What else is new?" He sits up, pulling her closer to him. "I don't care what people say. You're my girlfriend, or womanfriend, whatever, and I'm proud of that. Let's go public."

She reaches out to brush her finger across his lips. "Alright."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, we can go to this ball together. But no grabbing my ass in public."

"I'll contain myself, I promise."

"And if you do anything to embarrass me or compromise my position, I will put you across my lap and spank you."

She totally did that on purpose. "You really shouldn't make promises like that if you're not gonna follow through, Ger."

Come the night of the ball, Gerri is wearing a long green off-the-shoulder dress with her hair piled on top of her head.

"You look incredible," he says, ogling her chest.

"I'm up here, Rome."

He cups her face and looks into her eyes. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my entire life."

She smiles and straightens his bow tie. "I can't wait to see Matsson's face when we walk in together."

"So you're not ashamed anymore?"

"No, no, I am. It's just worth it to see his face."

Roman's driver is waiting for them outside. "Check out my date!" Roman calls as he helps Gerri into the back seat.

"Don't get overexcited," she warns him as he climbs in next to her, sitting far closer than necessary.

The driver nods politely at Gerri in the mirror. "Ms Kellman."

Roman manages to behave himself on the car ride, keeping his hands to himself for the most part. On arrival at the ball, they get out to a series of flashes from cameras and commentary from the press there.

"Roman Roy, one of the former majority shareholders of StarGo," someone is saying into a recorder. "And he appears to have brought a date." No one appears to have recognised Gerri yet.

After checking for permission, Roman puts an arm around Gerri's shoulders and poses for some candid shots before leading her into the building. The first person they see amid the crowd is Tom, who looks flabbergasted to see them together.

"Hey guys," he says, approaching tentatively. "Glad you could make it, Rome. Gerri, you look fabulous."

"Thank you." Gerri smiles.

"I'm here as her date," Roman emphasises.

"Wow. Okay." Tom looks between the two of them like he's not sure if this is a joke. "Well, I have to mingle but it's great to see you both."

"Is Shiv here?"

"Uh, no. Morning sickness. More like all fucking day sickness." Gerri nods in sympathy.

"I'll call her tomorrow," Roman promises. As Tom walks away Roman turns around and sees Matsson walking towards them with a faintly murderous smile on his face.

"Roman! I didn't expect to see you tonight. What with you not being invited and all."

"I'm here as Gerri's date," he explains.

"You don't have to keep saying date," she hisses at him.

"Well, aren't you a lucky man." He smiles at Gerri. "Save a dance for the boss, won't you?"

"Maybe this was a mistake," Gerri whispers, watching Matsson go. She looks nervous for once.

"Of course it wasn't. Come on, let's dance." Roman holds out his hand. She hesitates then takes it, ignoring the whispers around them as he leads her onto the dance floor.