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I continued to the elevator, eager now to see Rose. My mind had been so chaotic today that I hadn’t really stopped to consider what I would say to her tonight. Gripping the roses in my hand, I felt like a fool. If my instincts were correct, she wouldn’t be impressed by the flowers. But Alisha was right. It was better to bring something than nothing.
The elevator dinged and I stepped off into my foyer. The fancy table next to the closet was the only place for me to set the roses. I looked in the mirror over the table and straightened my tie, unsure why I was even doing that. Rose never cared how put together I was.
“You’re late.”
I spun and took her in. Dressed in jeans and a green sweater, I couldn’t help but smile at her. This was the woman I recognized, the woman I fell in love with. That fake in the boardroom was nothing like Rose.
“Sorry about that. I lost track of the time.”
“Do you do that often?” she asked, still not moving toward me.
I picked up the flowers from the table and strode to her. I was shit at this. On the island, I always knew what to say and do, but for some reason, I was lost now.
“These are for you.”
She quirked an eyebrow at me. “You brought me flowers that would stay in your apartment?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself speechless. “Um…”
I could see the mirth dancing in her eyes as she turned. She always did like to press my buttons. I followed her inside, taking the flowers over to the kitchen. I had no idea where a vase was, and I wasn’t about to go searching for one now, not when I finally had Rose to myself. I set down my briefcase and felt for the box in my pocket.
“Have you been waiting long?”
She sat down on the couch and grimaced.
I wasn’t sure if that was because of the question or the couch. It was an uncomfortable gray couch with metal legs. No one would dare fall asleep on that thing. They would risk screwing up their back.
“Long enough.”
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Are you hungry?”
“I ate before I came over. Eight o’clock isn’t really a normal time to eat for me.”
I took off my suit jacket, tossing it on another chair. Feeling unsure of where to begin, I sat down beside her and pulled out the rings. “I thought we should make this official.”
I opened the boxes and showed her the rings inside. Her eyes lit up for a moment as she looked up at me. “You had time to go ring shopping?”
“No, Alisha picked them up for me. I guess she noticed when you were here that neither of us was wearing rings.”
The smile cleared from her face as she pulled out her ring, quickly sliding it on her finger. I got the distinct impression that I fucked that up. After taking my own ring out, I slid it on my finger. I twirled it on my hand and finally understood.
“That wasn’t exactly how I thought this would go.”
“Really? You didn’t imagine your secretary picking out your wedding ring?”
I slouched back against the couch with a sigh. “Rose, I know this is not what either of us thought we were getting into. I’m kind of lost here.”
She laughed humorlessly. “That’s pretty much how I feel too.”
I held out my hand to her, hoping she would take it and move into my arms. But she was wary, and I couldn’t blame her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“Things were different then. Both of us thought we were cheating on our spouses.”
Her frown deepened. “What do you think that says about us?”
“What do you mean?”
