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“Why, Ms. Marlin, you sound surprised,” he says in his sultry voice, which I’ve recently been hearing a lot of.
“Actually, I am. It’s hard to imagine you doing anything other than the CEO stuff.”
“CEO stuff?” He laughs his beautiful laugh. “You know very well there is nothing like CEO stuff.” After composing himself, he says, “But it’s true; I am a pretty good cook. So much so that I once considered being a chef.”
“I can’t believe it. You’re just toying with me.”
“Why can’t you believe it?” he asks in disbelief, and I smile, hearing him so worked up. “I told you that I looked after my brothers, which obviously included cooking for them. That was one thing I enjoyed. Later, by the time I could afford someone else to cook for me, I was addicted to my own exemplary culinary skills.”
I let the memory of a young Zander taking care of his brother’s slide and focus on his not-so-modest comment. “When am I getting a taste of your exceptional skills?”
“I can’t wait to give you a taste, couch girl.”
I close my eyes at the sound of his rustic voice. He for sure isn’t only talking about food.
29
ROSE
It’s been a few weeks since Zander left and Kristy got engaged. Hearing Kristy’s grand wedding plans, I was expecting a date at least six months ahead. But to everyone’s surprise, Kristy and Oscar decided to marry after a mere two months.
Though I don’t blame them.
Why would you not want to spend every moment of your life with the person you love?
I’m getting firsthand experience of distance and separation and it’s hard, really hard.
When the news of their engagement was finally out, it took everyone by surprise. Sophia visited us last week to have a formal meeting with Oscar and his family.
Oscar’s sister, Clementine, is doing the dresses for the bride and bridesmaids, which is where we’re heading now. However, since this morning, I haven’t been able to stay as enthusiastic as before.
“Rose?” Kristy calls my name before shaking her head in exasperation as we wait for the light to turn green.
Has she been calling me for long?
“What?” I avoid her questioning stare. I don’t want to bother her with my silly issues.
“What is it? You’re making me nervous.” She cocks her head to my hands, which are almost tearing the cuff off my red-and-black checkered shirt.
“It’s nothing.” I halt my aggressive move, but she keeps staring at me, even after the lights have turned green. A car honks behind us, and I say, “Okay, okay. I’ll tell you. Just drive.”
She starts the ignition. “Spit it out before I stop again.”
“Zach called me. He and Zane invited me to St. Peppers for Zander’s birthday next week as a surprise,” I finally blurt.
“Anxious about the travel?” she asks in understanding.
“Yeah, but that’s not all.” I clutch the cold door handle too tight under my sweaty palms.
“What else, then?” Kristy glances my way once before looking back to the road.
“I-I’m not sure. Everything is going so… fast.” My throat dries as the unwelcome insecurities claw at me again. As ever, they try to rob any sliver of happiness that has come my way. I hate the words coming out of my mouth. “His brothers calling me like I’m a part of their family—it’s scary.”
Her sympathetic eyes meet my anxious gaze. “Rose, it’s okay. Everybody gets cold feet when going from casual to serious in a relationship. It’s normal to have second thoughts.”
“I’m not really having second thoughts about Zander. I just fear…”
“What?” She pulls up at the corner of a street.
