Page 138 of The Nicest Thing
"Your husband has good taste," the woman said.
"Mm, I never take it off."
Hearing that made my chest inflate.
Someone else sighed."You two are couple goals."
"Are we?" Rose said.
"One hundred percent.I can't wait to tell my friends that I met an actual happily-married couple.In real life."
I thought that was odd, but Rose nodded.
"I get that.It's hard to find two people who choose each other again and again over time," she said."That's much more common in books."
"Exactly."
"But that's why we read, right?"Rose smiled."To escape the world and live in a place where happily-ever-after exists."
The woman bought a book after that, and before she left, she told us, "I'm glad you found your happy ending."
"Me too," I said as Rose's smile looked strained."Hope you find yours."
Once she was gone, my girl exhaled her breath in a whoosh.
"You good?"
"Yeah," she said, "but I don't like lying."
My brow furrowed.
"She thought we were married, Finn."
"It made her happy to think that."
"I know."Rose nodded and bit her lip."Still, it feels wrong."
"I love you, and you love me.Isn't that what matters?" I said.
"It means everything, but—"
I stepped in close and waited until her eyes were on me."No buts, Rose.We're here.You're going to make so many people happy with your books.Nothing else is important.Just focus on that."
She sighed."Yeah, you're probably right.Anyway, I have to go to the panel now."
"Still pissed that I can't come cheer you on."
"Someone has to stay here if by some miracle people want to buy my books," Rose said with a laugh.
I placed a kiss on her forehead."Good luck, my Rose."
When I pulled back, her eyes were hazy.
"Book panel," I reminded her.
"Right, right," she said, starting to walk backwards.A slow grin appeared on her face, making me curious."Good luck to you."
"Why do I need it?"
