Page 1 of The Nicest Thing

"I need a husband."

My heart stopped dead at the words. That was Rose, my Rose, the girl I loved, the one I'd been secretly pining after for years. Body frozen on the threshold of Magnolia House, I closed the door softly behind me and leaned in, peering around the corner and listening hard.

My sister Emmy looked just as shocked as I felt. She sat across from Rose on the couch, blinking at her roommate.

"Well, that was unexpected," she said.

"I know." Rose sighed.

"You can't just say something like that and expect me to drop it."

Emmy raised her brows, and for once, I was thankful that my sister never let anything go.

"Do you have a guy in mind?" she said with a wink. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone."

Me neither.

I frowned, instantly hating whoever the person was that got to be with her.

"No, that's not it," Rose said morosely, and I could breathe again. "I just wish I had a guy I could do reels with to help sell my books."

Emmy released a surprised laugh. "I did not see that coming."

Rose just shrugged.

"So, not a real husband then?"

"Obviously not."

"Nothing about that was obvious, Rose."

"It would be if you were on social media," she said, crossing her arms. "A bunch of the authors I follow use their husbands that way—or boyfriends, but I think the hubs do better. Makes me wish I had one."

Emmy laughed again while my heart started racing.

"I also may have lied in an interview and implied I was happily married to my soulmate," Rose mumbled.

"Rose, you didn't."

"I did." She groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "And I can't take it back."

"Why not?" Emmy asked.

"Because it was livestreamed."

"Maybe no one saw it."

Rose shook her head. "The woman's a well-known book influencer, Em, and there was a popular romance author on the panel. The video already has over 50k views. Plus, I told my readers about it beforehand, and I know they tuned in because a couple wrote to me about it."

"Why would you lie anyway?"

"At first, I just mentioned my husband—you know I love calling them book husbands not boyfriends."

Emmy nodded. "It's more committed."

"Exactly," Rose said. "Then…I don't know. They assumed it was a real guy, and I didn't correct them. Next thing I know, they're inviting him and me to this romantic couples' brunch."

"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 hot fling 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.

God, she was beautiful.

And it wasn't just the big honey-brown eyes, her full lips, the long dark hair, or even her gorgeous curves that I'd die to feel under my hands. The outer package was gorgeous, but Rose's soul shined from within. And those eyes of hers were on me.

"Finn?" she said, waiting patiently for an answer.

"I was in the neighborhood," I said, "so I decided to stop by."

Emmy tilted her head. "What for?"

"Just to say hello."

"To me or to Rose?" she said.

I shot her a look, but Emmy simply fluttered her eyelashes at me innocently.

We'd never discussed it, but I was fairly certain my sister knew I was in love with Rose. Hell, my whole family probably knew. Wasn't like I tried to hide it.

"Both," I said smoothly.

"Really?" Emmy said.

"Yep."

"Hmmm."

Gritting my teeth, I stared her down, daring her to call me out. Whenever Emmy made that noise, it never meant anything good. At least not for the person on the other end of that hmmm. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to Rose.

"Anyway," she said, "where were we?"

Before Rose could respond, Emmy held up a hand.

"Oh yes, I remember. Your husband."

"Who I have no idea how to find," Rose put in.

"I have some thoughts on that," Emmy said. "You could try a dating app."

"And end up the subject of a true crime episode? No, thanks," Rose said with a grimace.

"What about an online form?"

"Like an application?" Rose asked.

"Exactly."

I opened my mouth, but Rose snapped her fingers.

"Wait, I know," she said. "I could do an ad. It would cost money that I actually don't have, but it might work."

"Like an open casting call," Emmy said with a nod. "Gorgeous, Curvy Romance Author Seeks Fake Husband."

"I don't know about the gorgeous part," Rose mumbled then smiled brightly. "But otherwise, I love it!"

"Well, I do know, and you are gorgeous, my friend—whether you accept it or not. What's your criteria for him?"

"Must be between the ages of 21 and 40," Rose said. "No creeps please, only professionals."

"Must also be hot," Emmy added.

"Yeah, that would be nice. Attractive men do seem to sell more books."

"Must also not be an asshole."

"Emmy."

"What?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "How about must be nice?"

"Nice?" Emmy repeated with a frown.

"Must be a gentleman," Rose amended then shot Emmy a little smirk that did weird things to my insides, "who isn't afraid to throw down when necessary."

"Bonus points if he talks dirty," Emmy said, and the two high-fived.

"Not sure if I'll get to experience that, but it couldn't hurt."

"Or," Emmy said, "if you're willing to fork out the cash, you could always hire an escort."

Over my dead body.

Unable to listen any longer, I stepped forward.

"I said I'll do it," I repeated.

Rose and Emmy both looked up.

"Do what?" Rose said.

"You need a fake husband, right?"

"Yeah…"

I shrugged. "I'm your guy."

Rose's mouth formed a surprised O, and my sister…well, her jaw was slack; her eyes were wide; and I didn't think she'd blinked in the last five seconds.

"What?" I said, shooting them a grin. "It's not a bad idea."

Emmy recovered first. "He's right. It could work."

Rose gaped at her. "You think so?"

"Yeah."

I'd never wanted to hug my sister more than I did right then.

"Finn's my second favorite brother, and he's definitely cheaper than hiring a professional. He'd make a decent fake husband."

"Thanks, Em," I said.

"No problem."

Rose looked between the two of us before pinning her gaze on me.

"You're joking," Rose said.

"No, I'm dead serious."

When she kept staring, I tilted my head and arched a brow.

"Do you want me to get down on one knee?" I asked. "Because I will."

Her lips lifted into a smile then, and suddenly she laughed. The sound caused a fluttering sensation in my chest like it always did. But I had a feeling this wasn't going to end in my favor as she stood from the couch and patted my shoulder.

"Good one, Finn," Rose said. "I almost bought it."

"But—"

"I'm going to make some tea. Emmy, you want any?"

"No, I'm good," my sister said.

"Finn?"

I shook my head.

Before I could stop her, Rose walked past me into the kitchen. It was as if I hadn't spoken at all. I squared my shoulders, prepared to go after her. Like always, I felt myself pulled toward Rose by some unseen, inexorable force. I knew it in my gut. I couldn't let this go.

"Finn," Emmy said before I was more than two steps away.

I met her gaze and waited, hoping she wouldn't tell me not to do it or that it was a lost cause. Rose never noticed me before. Why would she now? I didn't need Emmy to warn me that I was risking my heart. I already knew that. But it was a risk I was willing to take.

My sister studied my face for a long moment then gave me a nod.

"Be careful," she finally said, adding with a small smile, "and good luck."

"I'll need it," I mumbled.

When I joined Rose in the kitchen, she was on her tiptoes trying to reach the teapot which was on a high shelf.

Well, high for her

Stepping in close, I said, "Here, let me help."

Rose stilled, and I could've sworn I heard her breath hitch as I reached past her, my chest brushing against her back and my other hand lightly gripping her waist. As I set the teapot on the counter, I resisted the urge to pull her closer.

It was a near thing.

She smelled like vanilla and mint and everything I'd ever wanted out of life.

"There you go," I murmured.