Брак для одного

“I don’t frown.” He frowned as he said it.

“Ah, aren’t you gonna…”

He met my eyes. “Am I gonna…what?”

I was an idiot. “Your sleeves…you always roll them up.” I was a gigantic idiot, but…it was always one of the highlights of my day, so why should I have to suffer just because he forgot about it? It was my daily forearm porn, and I had started to look forward to it.

“It’s beautiful,” Jack said softly. It was soft enough that it got my attention, and I noticed his eyes were on me, not the flowers.

Why did I always feel so safe when he was near me?

“Rose.” Jack interrupted my thoughts and I glanced at him. “Come on, let’s go home.”

The number of times Jack Hawthorne smiled: zero. (BUT…it’s coming soon. I can feel it.)

He had a coffee cup in one hand and the bag in the other. With his tailored suit and that I’m not exactly sure what I’m doing here look on his face, he looked so…so grumpy and adorable that I couldn’t stop myself from giving him another hug.

Rose: So what are you doing?

Jack: Eating lunch. I have a meeting in half an hour.

Rose: You’re out at lunch?

Jack: In my office.

Rose: You’re eating lunch in your office by yourself?

Jack: Yes.

Rose: Why didn’t you tell me? I make great sandwiches.

I looked down at my high-priced steak lunch and wished I had a sandwich instead.

The number of times Jack Hawthorne smiled: none. (I’ve lost hope. Help.)

“I want to be that person to you, Rose. I want to be the person you lean on. You and I, we’re the same. We have no one but each other. You’ll lean on me and I’ll do the same. We’ll learn how. We’re in this together.”