Page 35 of The Nicest Thing

One Month Later

"Tell me again why we're doing this," Dex said.

"Because we love our baby brother," Archer grumbled. "Even if he asks for big favors."

Baylor released a happy sigh. "I don't know why you're all complaining. I love this."

"You would," Chase said.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that you love attention and showing off."

"True."

"Still think it's BS that you got the baseball book," Dex muttered.

"Life's not fair, brother." Baylor shrugged a shoulder, not ashamed in the slightest, holding a wooden bat across his shoulders.

Rose's latest series was a baseball romance, and Bay just happened to be the lucky one who got to don a uniform he was comfortable in, playing a role he'd been born for.

When they found out, my other brothers hadn't been amused.

"And Chase, if I wanted to show off, I could do that anywhere, any day of the week. I'm doing this for June."

Chase sighed then gave a nod. "Just like I'm here for Charlie—not that she gave me a choice."

"Your girl's a ballbuster," Archer said.

"Yeah. God, I love that woman."

"Enough to wear a Stetson, boots, and very tight jeans apparently," Dex said.

Chase frowned, mumbling something that sounded like "shut the hell up" and tried to kick him with one of his boots, but Dex dodged the hit with ease.

"Missed."

"Meant to."

"Keep telling yourself that."

"Maisie would kill me if I hurt a hair on your head."

"Hmm. Gotta keep the girls happy," Dex said then frowned as he looked down at himself. There wasn't much to see besides a whole lot of skin and tattoos. His silky black shorts left little to the imagination. "Even if that means public humiliation."

Archer grunted. "At least you got the MMA fighter. I look like a complete ass."

Dex tilted his head, taking in the black-and-white suit Archer was wearing, the shiny black shoes. "And that's different for you, how?"

"I was thinking the same thing," Baylor said.

Laughter filled the room as Archer's frown grew, but I saw the corners of his lips twitch. He was amused even if he didn't want to be. That was good because I needed them all on board.

"Okay, listen," I said, drawing their attention, "the signing will last two hours. I promised Rose we'd stay the whole time, so that's what we're doing."

"Anything else, Boss?" Dex said sarcastically.

"You have to stay in your character costumes until the end."

Groans went up all around—except for Baylor who grinned.

"I love mine," Bay said, adjusting his baseball jersey—which of course was worn open to show off his abs. "Hot baseball player with secrets? Please, I could play this in my sleep."

I tried to swallow my laughter, but it came out anyway.

"Archer's the one you gotta worry about."

My oldest brother did look a little squirrely, but he scoffed.

"Honor loves me in a suit, and she wouldn't like it if I left early." Archer gave me a nod. "Besides, like I said, I'm here for you, Finn."

"We all are," Chase added.

The other two nodded, and I smiled. "Then let's get out there and sell some books."

The girls were all chatting by Rose's signing table when we walked out.

I knew they were smiling, could see that out of my peripheral vision, but my eyes were on Rose.

The reaction she was having to seeing me was more than satisfying.

Her pupils darkened as she took me in. The blush that appeared on her cheeks made her look even more beautiful.

She bit her lip, making me want to groan, and when I reached her, the smile she wore was brilliant.

It was like she reached into my chest, put her hand around my heart, and squeezed.

"You look good, O'Brien," she said softly.

"Not as good as you," I said, lifting her hand to my lips and kissing her there.

Rose shivered before turning to the others.

"You all look awesome. Thanks for doing this," she said.

My brothers nodded, said "of course" and "no problem" and "anything for a friend." Knowing how they'd been jawing at each other only moments ago, their words meant more to me than anything. The way they made Rose's eyes light up fed my soul.

"What do you need from us?" Archer asked.

"Once the signing starts, just stand there and look pretty." Rose released a quiet laugh. "You guys do that on the daily, so it shouldn't be too hard."

Baylor beamed. "We all know you're talking about me, so thanks, Rose."

"Yeah, right," Dex said. "She obviously meant me."

"I don't think so."

"Want to see who can sell more books? Loser has to buy the other dinner."

"You're on."

They shook and set off to…I didn't even know. But it looked like they went behind the signing table and were posing.

"Good luck, Rose," Chase said with a smile. "We'll do our best."

"The Stetson work out okay?" she asked.

"Uh yeah, but why am I the cowboy again?"

"You just have that energy."

Chase didn't look convinced.

"Plus, my cowboy's an avid reader with a heart of gold," she added, "so it made me think of you."

"Gotcha." He nodded then tipped his hat. "Well, I'll leave you two to it."

Once he was gone, I looked around and spotted the other missing character. "I see Seaver showed up," I said.

Rose sighed. "Yeah, got here a few minutes ago. He and Emmy have been arguing ever since. Or actually, he's been talking at her, but I think she's ignoring him, giving him the silent treatment."

"Sounds about right."

By Rose's request, Seaver was decked out in his old hockey jersey. She hadn't written any hockey books yet, but she wanted to. Plus, she had side characters who played the sport, and we all agreed it might attract more people to the table.

Emmy had known he was coming.

But she looked like she couldn't care less.

"She's going to make him work for it," Rose said.

"Maybe he needs to," I said back.

"I can't wait to see how that plays out."

As we watched, Seaver made the mistake of touching Emmy's arm. She jerked back, pointing a finger at his chest, saying something low and angry that we couldn't hear. As she stormed off into the shelves, he followed.

I shook my head, turning back to Rose. "Hope they get it all figured out."

"Me too," she said.

As I stared down at her and she up at me, something settled in my chest. Rose looked happier and less stressed than she was at the last signing.

She'd been beaming since finding out her Grandma Rose's place at Silver Pines was secure.

Earlier, she got a call, telling her they ousted some shady guy named Director Redmond—apparently the creep was embezzling money from the business in addition to extorting its residents—and replaced him with the old director, who Rose and her grandma loved.

Also, her family had all been texting Rose about letting them know if she ever needed financial help.

Apparently, Ana showed them the video I made, and they were dismayed Rose hadn't come to them when she was in trouble.

I could relate. My girl didn't like to ask for help.

But she needed to know we were all here for her.

I hoped their messages and my actions showed her that.

"Are you ready for signing number 3?" I asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she said. "I owe you for getting your brothers and Seaver to come."

"Eh, they would've been here anyway. The book club wouldn't let them miss it."

"But you were the one who orchestrated everything."

I had.

"I love you," she said, lifting a hand to my cheek. "Not for this but for everything. You’re my person, Finn O'Brien. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know," I said, placing my hands on her waist. "I am feeling a little jealous though."

A line appeared between her brows. "Why?"

"Because all the other guys got to play heroes, and I'm just the nerdy bookworm."

I adjusted my glasses, pushing them up on my nose, with a grin to let her know I was joking.

"How do I look?" I said.

"Nerd hot," she said back, placing a kiss on my jaw. "And perfect."

"Is it weird to be jealous of fictional characters?"

I was only partly kidding this time.

"I know you love me, Rose," I said. "But I hope I can measure up to the heroes in your books."

"They're all you," she said in a hushed whisper, and I got lost in the warm depth of her eyes. "Even the ones I wrote before we met. Every single one. They're all you, Finn. You're everything I ever wanted."

My heart felt like it might fly out of my chest.

"I love you, Finn O'Brien."

"I love you, my Rose. Now and forever."

I kissed her, and she kissed me.

I knew we were finally on the same page.

It took us a while to get there, but it was worth it.

I was in love with my best friend. She loved me back.

My parents had experienced this. My brothers had too, and I knew my sister would at some point.

Everyone in the world should get a chance at this.

But I was grateful because I knew that not everyone did, and what I had with Rose was rare.

As we kissed, it went through my mind again: This is what true love feels like. And she was always my endgame.

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