Page 108 of Beautiful Rose

I pull back just an inch. My heartbeat is wild as I glance into his eyes. “Are… you going… somewhere?” It’s not normal for Zander to freak out.

“No. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you. I hate living so far apart.” He rubs my back, sensing my anxiety.

“Me too.” I hide my face in his chest and breathe his vanilla smell, trying to calm my racing heart.

“I was thinking—” He’s silenced by a soft knock on the door.

“Zand-d-der?”

We look at each other, neither of us saying a word.

“I know you’re t-t-there. Zach saw you s-s-sneaking in.” My face heats with embarrassment. “Kris-s-sty’s mom is looking for you.” Zane knocks on the door once more before we hear his receding footsteps.

“Sophia wants to talk to you. Alone,” I tell Zander and look for any sign of hesitation in his face. But there is none.

“I would love to meet her.” He caresses my cheeks and places a kiss on my forehead. Taking a deep breath as if breathing me into him, he says, “Let’s not make her wait.”

35

ZANDER

A waiter holding a tray of pink champagne flutes appears as Marr and I join my brothers. I’m about to take a sip when there’s a gentle pat on my shoulder. I turn to find Sophia dressed in a navy-blue suit standing behind me. I saw her earlier while she walked Kristy down the aisle.

“Hello, Zander.” She offers me her hand. Her firm handshake doesn’t surprise me; she is Kristy’s mom, after all.

“Hello, Mrs. Asher. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Sophia greets my brothers before asking Marr, “Rose, do you mind if I borrow your date for a while?”

I hand my untouched champagne to Zane and grab Marr’s hand, which is pulling on the silver bracelet around her wrist.

My lips on hers force her to let go of the bottom lip between her teeth. I squeeze her hand one last time before following Sophia out of the hall.

We reach the garden where a string quartet is playing, and guests are flocking to the dance floor or the gigantic wooden bar. Sophia leads me away from all the fuss to a quiet corner. I wait for her to take a seat, and then I perch on an opposite chair. The table between us, covered in white linen with a shiny golden border, holds a photo frame with a picture of Kristy and Oscar.

“I think my daughter made a wise choice,” Sophia comments, following my gaze.

“Oscar is a fine man.”

“I’m not talking about Kristy.”

My hand, which was straightening a fold on the tablecloth, stills. Sophia’s weird statement and tight smile catches me off guard. I had an understanding that Sophia’s role in Marr’s life has been more of a mentor than a mother.

I give her the unvarnished truth. “I love her.”

“So I’ve heard. Kristy is all praise for you, and I’d have to be blind to not see the way Rose’s eyes twinkle whenever you’re around or even mentioned.”

I try to ignore the wild drumming in my chest and reply, “I feel the same way about her.”

“I can see that too.” She sighs, looking away as if unhappy to confirm that my feelings for Marr are not fraudulent. “I hope you know what you’re getting into, Zander. Rose isn’t your normal girl.” Her head turns to the side, and something resembling pity settles on her face.

Does she feel sorry…for me? Why?

I have a hard time believing she’s the same woman who is so deeply idolized by my couch girl.

“Excuse me?” My words come out with more force than I intend for them to.

“Don’t get all worked up. You’ve known that girl for less than a year. I’ve known her since she was born.”

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