Page 64 of A Royal Arrangement
She fell asleep wishing for a lifetime of evenings just like this one. Because nights like this were exactly what she needed to believe in the possibility of a bright future with Colin.
A storm of emotions churned in Rosalie’s brain and heart. She was thankful her friends were here but sad that they were leaving in three days. The display of affection Colin had given her yesterday when he’d set up a little celebration of Ariana’s life had taken her aback. She was also pleasantly surprised by the genuine questions he asked her, and how often—and freely—he touched her, along with how much more she learned about him through her friends’ questioning. She was scared that if she put her heart on the line, he would pull back again. But most of all, she was hopeful for what was to come.
She walked out of her bathroom, ready for the day, and clapped a hand to her chest when she saw a cup of iced coffee sitting on the table beside her bed. Rosalie gladly lifted it to her lips, taking a giant sip. A satisfied, “Ahh,” fell out of her mouth. It was perfect—just the right amount of sweetness so she could still taste the actual coffee flavor. Her friends knew exactly how she liked her coffee, so one of them must’ve dropped it off. No matter how it had gotten there, she would savor it.
“Knock, knock,” Charlotte said, slowly pushing her door open with her hip, two cups of iced coffee in her hands.
Rosalie waved her in.
“Do you have time for a chat?”
“Of course.” She smiled, motioning to the couch in her room.
“I brought you an iced coffee, but I see you already have one. Is it from yourhubby?” Charlotte drew out the last word and winked at her.
Rosalie waved off her words. “I thought it was from you, but it must’ve been from Bridgette or Sienna.”
“I wouldn’t count Colin out.”
“I mean, what he did to celebrate Ariana was sweet, but he’s not exactly the romantic-gesture type of guy.” Rosalie shrugged.
“You never know. He might surprise you.” Charlotte shot her a look over her cup as she took a sip. “Anyway, how are you feeling?”
Rosalie groaned. “I really think I’m starting to fall for him, Char.”
Her friend leaned over and grabbed her shoulders. “Why are you groaning? Falling in love is a wonderful feeling.”
“Not when you don’t know if the other person feels the same way.” Rosalie sighed and took a sip of her iced coffee.
“What makes you think he doesn’t feel the same way?”
“He’s so closed-off and hard to read. I feel like I never know what’s going on in his mind until he actually says it.”
“What has Colin said or done that would prove he cares about you?” Charlotte asked.
Rosalie took a minute to really think about it. “He surprised me with a visit from my best friends.”
“That alone is reason enough.” Charlotte winked. “Okay, what else?”
“He told me I’m never a burden. He started calling me sunshine, and when I asked why, he said, ‘Sunshine is just what you are.’”
Charlotte held her hand to her heart. “Aw, I always said you were my sunshine girl. That’s adorable. What else has he done?”
Rosalie looked up at the ceiling, trying to think of any other things Colin had done to prove he cared about her. “He made me a birthday cake. He told me my feelings were valid. He took me berry picking and cared for me when I was sick.”
“And there are probably even more things you can’t think of right now.”
Rosalie slowly nodded.
“Then why are you doubting that he’s falling for you?”
“It feels like this is my one shot at love. I don’t want to mess anything up. I feel inexperienced when it comes to all this. He’s so much older than me, and he’s been married before.”
“You know Colin and I are the same age, right?” Charlotte leaned back with a knowing smirk.
Rosalie stuttered. “I—I guess I never thought about it like that.”
“I’m thirty, and we’re best friends. Just imagine you’re hanging out with me…”—her friend paused—“but in man form, and that you’re attracted to him and married to him.” They both broke into a laugh, and Charlotte shook her head. “Okay, maybe don’t think about me, but you know what I mean. Don’t overthink it. Just continue to be your optimistic, sunshine self, Ro. There’s no way he won’t fall for you.”
