Page 143 of The Nicest Thing
"Ooh, I want that," Lorelai said with a sigh.
Breaking my stare with Finn, I looked over…and saw the entire table staring at us with varying degrees of envy, swoon, and interest.
"How long have you been married?" Tessa asked me.
I blinked.
"My husband hasn't looked at me like that in years.To be fair, after cleaning his socks and underwear for 15 years, I don't think I look at him the same either."
There was a general murmur of agreement.
"Well, it's still pretty new," I hedged, unsure of how to respond and feeling like a jerk.
Finn stepped in, saying, "The marriage is new, but my feelings for her started years ago.They're still going strong."
"That's so sweet," Keely said, but her eyes looked like she meant the opposite.
Lorelai gave a wistful nod."I can't believe you do reels with her.My fiancée would never."
"He's not your fiancée yet, Lor."
"But he will be."
"Yeah, if he ever gets enough balls to ask you."
"I told you, Remy's just saving up to buy me a ring," she said.
"I wouldn't hold my breath."Keely turned away, either ignoring or not noticing her friend's crestfallen expression, and asked me, "How did Finn propose?"
"Well I…don't remember," I stammered.
It was stupid.
I lied so I wouldn't have to lie and ended up lying anyway.
"You don't remember?" Keely said slowly."Wow, that's…suspicious."
"Keely, come on," Tessa said.
"What?I'm just saying.Who doesn't remember how their husband proposed?Must not have been all that romantic."
Emmy gave me a wide-eyed look, but Finn came to the rescue again.
"It wasn't," he said, giving my hand a squeeze."I didn't have a ring and forgot to get down on one knee.But I made it up to her later.Right, Rose?"
"Yeah," I said quietly.
Tessa tilted her head."Rose is a good name.Why didn't you use it for your books?"
"I know this one," Emmy said."It's because she wanted it to be something totally unique.Liv Lamoreaux is very romantic and chic.Don't you think?"
"I like it," Lorelai said.
"Me too," Tessa agreed.
"Obviously, I'm partial to Rose," Finn said, sending me a soft smile."But I love Liv too."
"It's nice for a lie," Keely put in, and I tensed.
