Gerri has never liked public displays of affection. When she first started dating Baird they had to keep their relationship a secret, as office romances were, if not prohibited, at least frowned upon. Even once it was out in the open, they still had to avoid being too affectionate with each other at work or at any of Logan's social events. Being too nice to each other would be viewed as a sign of weakness.
Roman, as it turns out, is quite a physically affectionate person. He's constantly hugging Gerri and wanting to touch her, which is fine in private but less so in public. She doesn't mind being seen out and about with him, but always pulls away when he tries to hold her hand.
"I still work for the company," she reminds him. "I have a reputation to maintain."
"So you're ashamed of me?" He's fully pouting now.
"No, that's not it. But you don't have anything to lose."
"Thank you for that."
"You know what I mean." With Logan gone there's no one whose opinion on his love life still matters to Roman. "Everyone knows about the dick pics. I was going to get a huge payout. How does it look for me to now be dating the guy who sent them?"
"Who cares what people think?"
"I do. Matsson still hates you. He could fire me for being in a relationship with you. Not officially, but he could find some other reason."
"Fuck Matsson. We'll sue the fuck out of him. It'll be fun."
They're in the back of a car now, pulling up outside Kendall's birthday party. Gerri is a family friend, it's fine for her to be seen with Roman here. People may speculate, but speculation is all it is.
As the car comes to a stop, Roman's hand moves automatically towards Gerri's, seemingly of its own accord, but he catches himself and pretends to be fidgeting. He is very fidgety in general, and anyone who doesn't know him well wouldn't have spotted the hand movement.
They get out of the car, Roman coming around to hand Gerri her coat. There are paparazzi everywhere, come to take a look at the fallen Roys.
"Rome?" she says, pulling the coat on.
"Yeah?"
"Come here." She pulls him to her and kisses him firmly on the mouth as he sways with surprise. There are a few flashes of cameras on them.
She finally releases him and steps back to look him in the eyes. "Happy now?"
"Uh, yeah. Very." He holds his own coat out in front of him.
"Good. That's all you're getting tonight." He smiles as he follows her into the building, the cameras still flashing away. She doesn't turn around, but at the last moment she reaches behind her and takes his hand in both of hers.