Page 2 of The Nicest Thing
"Sounds fun."
"I should've said no, but I didn't."
"How could you?Brunch is the most important meal of the day."
"Hmmm.The other women were all so happy, talking about how they met the one, some in high school.I didn't want them looking down on me for being eternally single."
My sister shook her head."They wouldn't have."
"Trust me"—Rose released a scoff—"they might.A romance author who's never been in a committed relationship, had a hotfling or hookup period?Who'd read a book by someone like that?"
"But I thought your books were doing well."
"They're okay—but I could really use more money."
Rose sighed.
"And a husband.I could use one of those too."
Did I hear right?
Was Rose, my Rose, saying what I thought she was saying?
No, it couldn't be.Must be wishful thinking.And yet, as much as I tried to hear her words a different way, I kept coming back to the same conclusion.
"You sound so crazy right now," Emmy said.
"Whatever."Rose sniffed."It's not crazy.Just practical.Or it would be," she amended, "if I knew anyone who'd agree to fill the role.Unfortunately, not all of us have a handful of hot brothers."
"Rose…just ew."Emmy made a face, but Rose shook her head.
"I didn't mean it like that," she said."It's just if I had brothers I'd also have access to their hot friends, and well maybe…never mind."
"Don't you have a ton of cousins?"
"A crazy large amount, yes."
"Do any of them have hot friends?"
Rose tilted her head from side to side."Some, but they'd never go for it.My cousins are super overprotective."
"Ah."
"It was a stupid idea," Rose muttered.
"Not stupid," my sister said."Just a little out there."
"You're right, Emmy.I know you are," she said then scoffed a laugh."How would you even go about something like that?Just step up to some random guy and say, 'Will you be my fake husband?'"
She laughed again, but I saw my chance and wasn't going to let it slip by.I'd stood on the sidelines long enough.As casually as possible, I stepped into the room.
"I'll do it," I said.
The two turned to me, but I only had eyes for Rose.
"Oh hey, Finn," she said.Her smile brightened the whole room as she looked at me."I didn't know you were coming over."
It took me a moment to respond as her presence hit me like it did every. single. time.
