FIFTEEN
Rose
T he moment the elevator doors slide open and I step into the lobby of AWP, Junie shoots up from her desk and rushes toward me.
“How did it go?” she squeals.
I keep walking as she shadows me down the hall. “It was fun.”
“Fun? Just fun?” She stays at my heels all the way into my office.
I set my bag down and bite back a grin as she plops into the chair in front of my desk. “He kissed me again.”
Junie sits forward and rests her chin on her palms. “Tell me everything …”
I pull a folder for this morning’s client from the shelf and lean against the windowsill as I thumb through it. “He’s…I don’t know…easy to talk to. Like, I feel like I can be myself. It’s different…refreshing.”
“This is the most I’ve seen you smile in months. He must be pretty wonderful.” Junie blinks jealously.
I shrug and tuck my chin into my shoulder, remembering the way Nate took my face in his hands when he kissed me last night. I thought for sure he’d take a moment to warm back up to me after I rejected him the first time, but it’s almost like it never happened. He’s forgiven me so easily. Most men wouldn’t open back up so quickly.
“When’s your next date?” Junie asks.
“Not sure,” I reply, flipping the pages of my file absently. “We haven’t talked about it yet.”
“Maybe he’ll take you to his romantic lakeside cabin…” she teases.
“I don’t think we’re quite there yet,” I laugh.
She wiggles her brows. “You said he was the best kiss you’ve ever had…I bet he’s good in bed too.”
“ Junie… ” I eye her pointedly, yet I can’t help but laugh. I really hope she’s right.
Over her shoulder, I suddenly realize George has stuck his head inside my door and probably heard all of that.
“Sorry to interrupt.” He clears his throat.
Junie jumps at the sound of his voice and spins around in her chair.
“Dad’s on his way up with the Windsor guy he wants to set you up with,” he says. “Thought I should warn you.”
I hang my head. “Ugh. I don’t have time for this right now.”
He nods toward Junie. “Maybe Juniper can pull you into an impromptu meeting.”
She straightens the collar of her shirt. “Oh, um, yes, I can think of something. Ummm…” She runs her hand across her forehead and stands so quickly she almost knocks her chair over. “Let’s see…”
George patiently watches her, crossing his arms and leaning casually on the doorframe as she struggles to come up with an idea.
“Maybe…” She starts to light up, but then she frowns. “No, that wouldn’t make any sense.” She peers at George as pink creeps into her cheeks. She’s absolutely lost for words.
The room goes silent for a painful moment before he speaks up. “How about you come back to my office.” He motions for her to follow him. “I have some letters that need addressing, and you have the best penmanship in the office. Then you can call Rose in five minutes and give her an out.”
She clears her throat and nods quickly. “Yes, sure. That’s a great idea. Thank you.”
“Don’t you forget, Junie,” I call after her, knowing very well that she just might. She always gets like this in front of George. I haven’t confronted her about it yet, but I’m fairly certain she’s got a major thing for him.
Not long after they leave, my father comes around the corner with a stranger at his heels.
“Rose, got a minute?” he asks with an eager smile.
I return it with a tight one of my own and set my files on my desk. “Sure.”
He steps aside, revealing the stranger—tall, dark, and dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. “This is Everett Windsor. He’s in town this week on business.”
I cross around to the front of my desk and extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Windsor.”
He chuckles as he takes it. “Please, call me Everett.”
His hand is soft and fair, and while that’s never bothered me before, it’s triggering aversion in me today. He’s probably never held a tool in his life. Malcolm’s hands were just as unworked, and I never noticed. But now I’m the girl who goes for the guy who fells trees and lays drywall. Nate’s not a rich boy afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s a man’s man. And he kisses like one too.
“Your father said you are a financial advisor here at the firm?” Everett pulls his baby-soft fingers away and lifts his chin with a gentle smile.
I press my lips together and nod. “Yes.”
That’s it. That’s all I say because frankly, I’m thinking about Nate’s strong calloused hands and can’t be persuaded to direct my attention elsewhere.
“I’d love to hear more about that,” Everett suggests while my father stands silently watching the exchange.
Look, I’m sure Everett is a perfect gentleman, and maybe I would have given him a chance two weeks ago, but this is just not happening right now.
I open my mouth to make an equally simple reply, but my phone buzzes on my desk and I snatch it up quickly.
Nate Hi :)
“Sorry!” I send Everett my best apologetic smile and shift past him toward the door. “I have to take this. It was nice meeting you, though!”
I don’t wait for his response. My dad will probably scold me for being rude, but frankly, I don’t care.
Rose Hi :)
Nate How’s your day going?
Rose Dull. I kinda wish the ceiling would open up again.
Nate But then you’d have to deal with the grumpy repairman
Rose He’s not all that bad
Nate Careful, or you might start to miss that grump
Rose I’m sure you’ll let him out again eventually
Nate Do you have plans for lunch?
Rose None whatsoever
Nate There’s a little café downtown that overlooks the river. The weather is really nice.
Rose meet you there at noon?
***
“So, what were you like in high school?” I ask Nate while we sit at a round café table, watching canoers glide past on the river. “Jock? Nerd? Where did you fit in?”
He relaxes back and rests a hand on his knee. “Neither. I spent most of my time in shop class. We had a little clique of us. Four guys, one girl.”
“Did you stay for the tools, or the girl?” I smirk.
“Both,” he laughs. “I think the four of us were quietly competing for her, and she knew it.”
I take a sip of my raspberry lemonade. “Who won?”
He laughs again. “I did.”
“Well, well.” I’m impressed, and also a little retroactively jealous. “That must have been quite the confidence booster.”
“As a sixteen-year-old, oh yes. I wore it as a badge of honor,” he replies. “She was my first kiss too, but we only lasted a few weeks. She dumped me for the kicker on the football team.”
“Ah, I bet he was cooler than you.”
“ Way cooler.” He nods. “What about you? Did you date in high school?”
I shrug. “There was this one guy. We actually met over the summer at the lodge my family always stayed at. We had one of those short little whirlwind summer romances. I think I was seventeen. He broke up with me a week before school started.” I roll my eyes. “And that was it for serious relationships until I met Malcolm.”
“The Carnegie?” Nate asks.
I nod.
“Is he the one who cheated on you?”
I press my lips together and plaster on a fake smile. “Yes. With his secretary.”
Nate clenches his jaw and shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Rose.”
I wave him off. “It was like four months ago. I’m fine.”
“You were together how long?”
“A year.”
“What an idiot,” he shakes his head again. “And he’s trying to get you back after all that?”
I sit back and sigh. “Yeah, and he’s enlisting my mother’s help. She’d drop all her morals to have me end up with a Carnegie.”
He watches me incredulously. “She knows what he did and still wants you to take him back?”
I nod.
“Dang. All because of his name?”
“And his status, and his heritage, and his bank account.” I turn my eyes to the river again.
Nate doesn’t say anything for a moment. “So…should I even ask what she’d say about me, then?”
I close my eyes. “Probably not. And I don’t want you to have to find out.”
“So, you’re not just torn about what you want yourself or if your parents would approve,” he says quietly. “You’re worried about how I’d feel in that environment.”
I sigh and look at him again. “My dad would probably get over it, but my mom might resent whoever I date…or especially marry…if he isn’t on her list of approved matches. And that won’t be fair to him.” I suddenly realize what I’ve said and clear my throat. “I mean, not that I’m assuming you and I…um…you know…marry.” I hate the blush I feel creeping in. “But we both said we’re not interested in casual dating.”
Nate smiles gently. “No, I get what you mean. Marriage is the end goal for both of us, I think.”
“So, you do want to marry again?” I ask carefully.
“Absolutely,” he replies without pause.
“You’re not…” I hesitate, “scared?”
His eyes flash sincerity. “I’m terrified. I can’t fathom falling hard for someone and then losing her again.”
I drop my gaze to my plate.
“But I’m more terrified of never falling again. Of being alone. That’s not for me,” he says quietly, but confidently.
I raise my eyes to his and smile slightly. “Guess you’ve gotta win the girl again.”
His expression revives and he smirks. “I’m trying.”