Page 235 of Wait for Him

"I think Stacy may be giving me too much credit," I say, turning back to Quinn. "Pleasure to meet you. And congratulations."

"Thank you. Same to you."

"We won't keep you," Stacy says. "We're just headed home."

She looks between Rose and me, and her smile softens.

"It really is so good to see you. Both of you. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Rose says.

Stacy steps forward and gives her a brief hug, which Rose returns easily. Then Stacy turns to me.

"Thank you for everything, Marcus." Her voice softens. "I'm grateful I met you."

And okay. Maybe I really did underestimate what that time meant to her.

We were both pretty fucked up back then. Stacy was trying to get over someone. I was trying not to admit I'd been in love with someone for most of my adult life. We drank together, slept together, talked when one of us needed to talk, and eventually stopped needing each other for any of those things. I never thought of myself as helping her through anything. We were just... there for each other.

But looking at her now, happy and holding the hand of the man she's going to marry, I'm glad whatever I gave her was something good.

"Likewise, Stace."

She gives me one last smile before taking Quinn's hand, and the two of them continue down the sidewalk.

I wait until they're far enough away that they can't hear us before turning immediately to Rose.

She's still attached to my arm.

Still staring at me like that.

"I'm sorry."

Her eyebrows pull together. "For what?"

"If that was awkward." I turn toward her fully. "I know I told you about Stacy, but hearing about someone and having her walk up to you are two different things. I completely understand if that bothered you. That was a different time in my life, and I probably should've given you a little more warning before introducing you."

Nothing.

Rose just stares at me.

Then she says, "You called me your fiancée."

I pause. Of all the responses I prepared for in the last thirty seconds, that wasn't one of them.

"I did."

"You called me your fiancée."

"Yes." I study her face. "Did that upset you?"

Her eyes widen. "You haven't even proposed, Jackson."

Oh. That.

"Semantics. We already have a marriage license."

Her mouth falls open. "Which you tricked me into getting!"