Page 180 of Wait for Him

Then I walked over and touched her face.

Hi, baby.

Excellent work, Marcus. Really sold the engagement.

And Rose leaned into my hand like she hadn't spent a year gone, and for those few seconds I forgot every decision I'd made since she left.

So yes.

Rian has every right to be pissed.

"I'm sorry, baby." I keep my voice even. "I really am. I never meant to hurt you like that."

She looks at me for a long time without saying anything.

"Are you still in love with her, Marcus? After all this time? After promising to try this with me for real?"

I open my mouth.

Nothing comes out.

Fuck.

Because she's right to ask, and every honest answer I have makes me the worst piece of shit known to shitkind. She deserves an answer. She deserves a clean one.

I just don't have one that won't hurt her.

"Announcement time!" Bennet's voice explodes through the apartment from somewhere beyond the door.

I close my eyes.

Rian closes hers too. When she opens them again, her face is back under control, but I saw what was there before she put it away.

"Just..." Her jaw tightens. "It's whatever."

"It's not whatever."

She looks up at me, waiting for me to say something... anything... and I should. I should answer the goddamn question she asked me.

I don't.

She shakes her head, turns, and walks out. I guess we're just going to put a pin in the emotional firing squad so Bennet can make whatever announcement requires yelling across an entire apartment.

The universe has a great sense of timing. Finally ready to move on, Marcus? That's adorable. Here comes Rose.

Enjoy the party, motherfucker.

Fuck you, universe.

Rose

"Where are you staying?" Michael asks as he walks me to the door. The party wound down a couple of hours ago and I'm the last man standing. Everyone else has dispersed back to their respective homes, and Blaire excused herself to shower and give the two of us some time alone, which was a kindness she disguised as hygiene.

"Next door, at the Sutton."

"Why don't you just stay here tonight? We can get up in the morning and go to breakfast. Catch up?"

There's an edge under the casualness that breaks my heart. He's worried I won't come back. I know he is. That if I walk out this door tonight, the year somehow starts all over again.