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Rose was losing the battle, but she held on to the last shreds of her aggravation at finding him typing away like he hadn’t just suffered a heart attack. “How long a nap?”
His gaze went to the ceiling. “I didn’t time it.” After a quick glance over his shoulder, he turned back to her. “But I’d guess maybe forty-five minutes?”
She pursed her lips and nodded. “I suppose that’s better than nothing.”
“And I have an idea for how to pay off the remaining balance for the wedding, though it might not be easy.”
Despite her apprehension about the direction of the conversation, she laughed. “What do you propose?”
“Mr. Willoughby,” he said. Her face must have betrayed her shock and misgivings because he hurried on. “I spoke to him this afternoon. While he’s still not happy with me for not taking his calls, he was much more focused on the latest response from his wife. She was open to the settlement I had sent her before my accident, but she had some minor adjustments, which he is, of course, blowing out of proportion.” Steven let out an exasperated sigh. “He’s bound and determined to take this to court, and that means if I can keep him happy, he’ll owe me an even larger retainer fee than what he’s already paid.” His teasing grin melted her heart. “The irony is he may single-handedly ensure our marriage through his divorce.”
She giggled, then her face fell. “But he’s your most demanding client.”
“And the law clerk will help alleviate some of that demand.”
“It’s a start,” she admitted.
Slipping his arms around her waist again, he pulled her close. “Can we make up now?”
It would be easy to give in, but she needed to clear the air on one more thing. “First, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Oh?”
She took a deep breath. “You were right. I did have an ulterior motive for wanting to postpone the wedding.” At his alarmed expression, she cupped her hand over his cheek. “It’s not what you think. I promise.”
“Then… what is it?”
“My mom told me she and my dad can’t make the wedding.” Tears pricked behind her eyes, and she tried to blink them back. “They can’t afford the plane tickets.”
“Oh, Rose,” Steven murmured, tightening his arms around her.
“It feels stupid saying this to you.” She sniffled.
“Why? I can only imagine how devastating that news was for you. Heck, I’m disappointed, and they aren’t even my parents.”
“Yes, but you just lost your mom.” Rose pulled back to search his face. “It’s selfish to want to postpone the wedding so they can be here, especially with the anniversary of your mom’s death coming up soon.”
His eyes got a little misty. “I’d forgotten that.” He took a moment to compose himself. “But my feelings don’t trump yours. I wish you had told me.”
“Would it have changed your mind about postponing?”
He averted his eyes. “If I’m honest, probably not, but that’s because I don’t want to wait any longer to marry you. Maybe we can go visit them in South Korea when we’re in a better place both physically and financially. How would you like to have a small ceremony there?”
Instead of answering, she knelt beside his chair and wrapped her arms around his neck before peppering him with light, grateful kisses.
Chapter Thirteen
A few days later, Steven entered his office for the first time since his accident. It felt good to be back, like coming home. Despite Rose’s protests, he’d managed to catch up on much of what he’d missed from the comfort of his home, but there was something about being physically present that made him feel more productive.
The reception desk sat to the left of the door, though Leslie wasn’t in yet. To the right was the waiting room, which he’d furnished with four straight-backed chairs surrounding a small table covered with magazines. A few bookshelves graced the back wall, but the majority of his law books were tucked in his office and the conference room.
“Welcome back, boss,” Sandra said as she came in behind him and handed him a coffee cup.
“Thanks, Sandra, but I can’t—”
“Chill, dude. It’s decaf.”
“In that case…” He lifted the cup to his lips and sipped the warm beverage while missing the taste of real coffee. One day, he hoped to get Rose—and for that matter, Dr. Myers—to relent on the dietary restrictions, but… baby steps.
