Page 11 of The Nicest Thing

"Hey, does this shirt look okay?"

Arnold glanced up then said, "I guess."

I frowned, studying myself in the mirror. "You think it's stuffy? Too old man?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

I threw off my button-down shirt and quickly tugged on another. It was light blue, a classic polo, fitted…maybe too fitted?

"This works," I said, narrowing my gaze. "Or is it too tight?"

My roommate grunted in response.

"Arnold, help me out here."

With a sigh, he looked my way as I turned to face him fully.

"What does this shirt say?"

"I think it says 'I'm a pompous ass going to watch a water polo tournament. Pass the crumpets.'"

Crumpets?

What even are those?

I scoffed…then groaned a second later. He was right.

"What's a crumpet anyway?" I grumbled, throwing that shirt into the ever-growing pile. I could barely see my bed. This was getting out of hand.

"It's like a small pancake with holes," Arnold replied. "Popular with the Brits."

"And you know this how?"

"My mom's a dual citizen."

"Oh," I said. "Well, that's cool. Means you are too, right?"

"Hmmm," he said, eyes moving back to his book as I struggled.

I put on another shirt, gave a quiet sigh, plopped onto my bed, and covered my eyes with my arms. I dressed myself every single day.

Why was this so hard? Oh, that's right. It's because I had an author couples' brunch to attend, the whole reason Rose asked me to play her fake husband in the first place, and I didn't want to blow it.

Possibly sensing my inner turmoil, I heard Arnold close his book.

A second later, he said, "Finn, what's the problem?"

"I don't have anything to wear," I mumbled.

"The truckload of clothes on your bed are calling you liar."

I threw him a glare.

"Must be something important going on today."

"You could say that," I said.

Arnold waited, staring at me expectantly.

"I'm going with Rose to this author event. It's important to her. She's important to me, and…I don't want her to regret asking me."

"Why would she?"

I shrugged.

"Okay, listen." Arnold sat up, so I did too. He gave me a pointed look. "First, I want it known that I'm not attracted to you, in any way, shape or form."

"Got it."

"I don't swing that way, and if I did, you wouldn't be my type."

I nodded.

"Not even close."

"Understood. Geez, you wouldn't be mine either."

Arnold tilted his head. "Second, I don't get the issue."

"I just told you—"

"It doesn't matter what you wear, O'Brien. Rose will approve. She's your best friend. She asked you to go to this thing. And besides, you're an attractive guy."

I arched a brow.

"You're one of them." Arnold waved a hand in the air. "A popular-jock type—even though you're more of an intellectual like me."

"Rose calls it nerd hot," I said with a grin.

"Well, there you go. You don't see how girls look at you, but I do. They throw themselves at you, man."

"Nah," I said.

He nodded. "Yeah, Finn, they do."

"Agree to disagree. So…what should I wear?" I asked finally.

"Whatever you want. Do you. Stop stressing over this. It's making the room feel claustrophobic."

I gave a slow blink. "So, you're saying I should just be comfortable?"

"Yeah, and I'm sure that'll make Rose happy."

He stood, studied my pile critically for a moment, grabbed a few things, chucked them at me, then went back to his bed.

"A t-shirt and jeans?" I asked dubiously.

"Your girl seems to like them."

"What makes you say that?"

Arnold grinned then held up his book, which I suddenly realized was Liv Lamoreaux's latest. Seeing Rose's pen name made me grin. He tapped the cover with his finger.

"She's always putting her leads in that outfit, saying how good it looks, why do guys have it so easy, blah, blah, blah."

I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of that.

"You'll make it look good."

"Thanks, Arnold," I said.

"No problem," he said then raised a brow. "If she has any friends, keep me in mind."

"Will do."

#

I knocked on the door to Magnolia House, prepared to wait.

But Rose answered only seconds later.

She was wearing a bright smile, and it made my lips tip up in return.

"You look happy," I said.

"Because I am." She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Ask me why."

"Okay. Why?"

"Look."

Rose shoved her phone in my face, and I blinked.

"Have you seen this, Finn?"

Pushing the phone back a bit, I nodded. "It's one of the reels we recorded."

"Yeah, but look." Rose pointed to the little numbers on the side, and my eyes went round. "Do you see?"

"That's a lot of views and likes," I said.

"I know—especially considering how crappy I've been at social media up to this point in my life." She nodded then gently gripped my cheeks in her hands. "I knew this face would sell a bunch of books. Didn't I tell you?"

I chuckled. "Actually, I think I told you. But you're the one who came up with the script, Rose, and wrote the books. Without those…"

I gave a gusty sigh.

"…you'd just have this stunningly pretty face."

"And I thought you were humble."

Rose shook her head, still smiling.

"Seriously, it's you I have to thank for the spike in sales that I'm seeing. Thank you so much, Finn. It's not enough, but it will definitely help."

My eyes narrowed, catching her words but not yet understanding the meaning behind them.

"What do you mean 'not enough'?" I asked. "Help with what?"

She simply shrugged. "Nothing for you to worry about."

"But—"

"It's my problem, Finn. I'll handle it."

Before I could question her further, which I fully intended to do—anything that worried Rose worried me—she stepped fully outside, shut the door behind her, locked it, then turned to look me up and down while I did the same to her.

Wasn't sure if she knew it or not, but it was the best distraction she could've used.

Rose could knock me speechless in a potato sack.

Today, she was wearing a cream-colored top with some kind of flower print and dark wash jeans that hugged her hips like a lover.

Her dark hair was down, and she smelled amazing as always.

I could never tell if she was wearing makeup.

But as her honey brown eyes assessed me, she looked beautiful.

"Wow," I said, trying not to swallow my tongue. "You look…"

"Totally uncomfortable, like I'm trying too hard?" Rose rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you wouldn't believe how long it took me to get dressed this morning."

I smiled at her. "Well, the time was well spent."

"Thanks, Finn."

She looked at me again, and as I watched, her tongue came out to lick her lips. The move nearly brought me to my knees.

"You look amazing," she breathed.

"Oh yeah?"

"Hmmm." Rose shook her head then met my eyes. "It's so unfair."

I gave her a questioning look.

"How do you throw on a shirt and jeans and look that good?"

"You tell me," I said.

Her cheeks flushed pink, and she pushed my shoulder with a laugh. "You're hilarious, Finn."

As she walked past me, I followed.

"I mean it. I bet you roll out of bed looking gorgeous. Don't you?"

"Ooh, that's good," she said. "Keep up the flattery when we're at brunch. That way, no one will question if we're a couple."

"You really think they would?" I said.

"Wonder what a guy like you is doing with a girl like me? Yes, absolutely."

I got to the car door first and put my hand on the handle, preventing her from getting inside.

Rose looked up at me in confusion. "You don't have to do that, Finn. I can get my own door."

"I know," I said.

"Ever the gentleman," she said with a smile.

"Your gentleman."

She nodded, but when I didn't move, her eyes lifted up to mine again.

"I need you to understand something, Rose."

"Okay."

"When we do this, I know our goal is to make everyone think we're together, soulmates, the happily-married couple. And we will. You told a little lie, and I agreed to help."

"Which I'll be forever grateful for," she said. "But we really should go..."

"In a second," I said, capturing her chin between my thumb and forefinger.

Her mouth snapped shut at the contact.

"After today, no one will doubt how much I adore you. No one will question our connection when I'm through."

I stared at her hard.

"But it doesn't matter what they think."

Rose frowned, and her confusion was so cute I wanted to kiss the lines forming between her brows.

"You need to know you could have anyone you want," I said.

"Well, not really—"

"Anyone," I repeated. My thumb caressed her jaw, and I felt a bolt of pleasure shoot through me as she shivered. "You're beautiful, inside and out. Rose, you're everything. Don't you get that?"

"I…Finn, we're going be late," she stuttered.

I nodded then took a step back, holding the door open for her.

"Just needed you to hear that before we go," I said.

"Thanks," she said softly.

Despite leaving a little later than planned, we got to the venue in plenty of time.

The "Annual Romance Author Brunch and High Tea" was being held at a hotel about 45 minutes away.

As Rose and I stood outside, looking at the welcome sign, I watched her take a deep breath.

It was like she was steeling herself for battle.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, of course," she said with a shrug. "It's just brunch. I love brunch."

"Um hm."

"And they're authors. Romance authors are nice people—for the most part."

"I've only met one, but I like her," I said.

At that, Rose shot me a bright smile. "Have I told you that I love you?"

My heart thudded like a drum in my chest.

"Not today," I said.

"Well, I do," she said with a shrug, locking her arm with mine. "Ready to go in?"

Her words rang through my head as her scent filled my lungs. I looked down, noticing her hand on my arm, and suddenly, I remembered. Reaching into my pocket, I gripped the small velvet box there.

"Almost," I said.

Lowering myself to the ground, I heard Rose sputter.

"Finn," she said, "what are you doing? I—oh."

I opened the lid and held the box out to her.

"Finn?"

"Told you I'd get on my knees for you," I said.

Her eyes were wide as I gripped her left hand in mine.

"Thought we better make it as authentic as possible."

Rose nodded as I slipped the ring onto her finger.

Without thinking too hard about it, I bent forward and pressed my lips there, kissing her hand like I would a queen.

Because that's exactly what she was. My queen.

She was still staring at the spot as I got back to my feet.

The diamond surrounded by tiny sapphires sparkled in the sun.

Was it too much? Not enough? Man, I wish she'd say something.

Shifting back on my heels, I ran a hand over my neck.

She still hadn't spoken. It didn't even look like she was breathing.

"Do you like it?" I asked, praying she'd say yes.

Hoping I hadn't made a wrong move.

"Like it?" she repeated, staring at the ring for another second, before her watery gaze lifted. "Finn, I don't know what to say. It's beautiful, unexpected, too thoughtful for words. I…when did you even do this?"

The day she asked me to be her fake husband.

I went out that night and bought it.

But I'd wanted to get a ring on her finger far longer than that.

A real one.

But this would do for now.

I shrugged. "I knew we'd need something to really sell it."

"I hope it didn't cost you too much," Rose said.

Only a couple hundred.

Not that I'd tell her that.

Rose would make a big deal out of it, and it really wasn't. She deserved so much more. I would give her more if she'd let me.

"Nah," I said then asked again. "So, you like it?"

"I do."

She threw me a sidelong glance.

"How'd you know sapphires are my favorite?"

I lifted a brow. "I pay attention."

To you.

Always to you.

"Don't tell me you forgot already?"

"No, I didn't." Rose shook her head then reached into her own pocket. "Well, it's nothing in comparison to what you did. You always have to one-up me. Don't you, O'Brien? But…I got this."

My jaw dropped as Rose opened her fingers. Inside, in the very center of her palm, there sat a thick shiny band.

"You got this for me?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said bashfully. "But you don't have to wear it if you don't want to. Like I said, it's sterling silver. Nothing compared to the stunning diamond you got me. So…"

I snatched it out of her hand before she could finish and shoved it on my finger.

"I love it," I said, speaking through a tight throat.

I was smiling hard, but I couldn't seem to contain the feeling surging through my veins. Happiness. Contentment. Damn, I didn't know, but it was a good one, the kind that makes your heart feel too big for your body.

"Thank you, Rose. I really love it."

Smiling, she slid a matching band onto her finger and shrugged. "Guess we had the same idea."

"Great minds," I said back and held my arm out to her. Without hesitating, she looped hers through mine, and I nearly sighed. "You ready for this, wife?"

Rose's throat worked on a swallow, then she grinned.

"Lead the way, husband."

Why did that word sound so good coming from her lips?