Coming Up Roses

by Anie Michaels

  “Is that what Riley was going on about earlier?” Justin asked, leaning over the table between us a little more. “She was talking really fast and moving her hands a lot. I caught a few important notes, but couldn’t keep up entirely. She mentioned Rose and I figured it was work gossip.”

  “Pretty sure the impromptu girl’s night is because I may have kidnapped Rose yesterday and taken her on a date without her consent.” I used my fingers to put quotation marks around kidnapped.

  “What, now?” Justin asked, one eyebrow arching, his demeanor becoming a little threatening.

  “It wasn’t anything bad. She fell asleep in my car and instead of waking her up I just kept driving. We ended up at the beach. It was a great day. She was a little surprised when she woke up by the ocean, but she got over it.”

  “Just maybe don’t tell anyone else that story in those exact words,” Justin grumbled, taking a pull from his bottle of beer.

  “Noted.” I laughed. “But, in all seriousness, what can you guys tell me about her? You’ve known her a lot longer than I have.”

  They both simultaneously took in deep breaths and their faces went blank.

  “She’s not really an open book,” Justin finally said. “I’ve only met her once or twice, and she seems nice, but I don’t really know anything about her.”

  “I can tell you she’s a great boss and she cares about her company,” Camden added. “Riley never has anything bad to say about her. She raves about her, in fact. But nothing personal, just how impressed she is with her drive and how much she’s accomplished.”

  “She is impressive,” I agreed. “She’s turning out to be a tough nut to crack. And unlike a lot of women I’ve encountered in the past, she doesn’t really seem eager or interested in dating.”

  “Hadley wasn’t really one to date either,” Justin offered. “She was a casual relationship kind of gal. Pissed me the hell off in the beginning, but in the end it didn’t matter much because there’s nothing casual about a marriage certificate.” He winked at me and I had to laugh because, seriously, Justin and Hadley’s story was ridiculous. I’m sure it was confusing as fuck for them when they were going through it, and trust me, I was witness to one of the first major milestones of their marriage, but it worked out for them in the end.

  “That’s not it either,” I continued. I shifted in my seat, leaning forward and lowering my voice. “She doesn’t date. Like, at all.”

  “She’s kind of got a full plate.” Camden shrugged.

  “We have this weird and amazing chemistry, like I’ve never felt with someone else, and I know she feels it too, but it’s like she’s purposefully trying to ignore it, or pretend she doesn’t feel it.”

  “When Riley turned me down, multiple times, I just didn’t give up, but she was clearly into it. Her issues had nothing to do with me, really. The attraction she felt was just a catalyst for some sort of inner-self, reflective, quarter-life crisis thing she had to get past to realize I was perfect for her.”

  “Maybe it scares her.”

  Justin’s surprisingly profound comment gave me pause. They didn’t know what I knew about Rose, that she’d never had sex with anyone before. Her lack of sexual experience wasn’t a big deal, but at the same time, it was a huge deal. As much as she tried to play it off as insignificant, there had to be more lingering under the surface.

  I lost my virginity at sixteen to a girl I’d been on a handful of dates with. I was just like any other sixteen-year-old guy, eager to finally experience what had been consuming my thoughts for so long. Did it matter who the girl was? Not really. It helped that I liked her, but the main reason it was her was that she was willing. Sounds crude, but it was true.

  I may have been a man, but I wasn’t stupid, and I knew it was different for girls. But I didn’t know if I had the mental capacity to conceptualize what it would be like for a woman like Rose to still be a virgin.

  Justin was right.

  It had to be scary.

  Regardless of whether Rose wanted to admit it.

  “She does put on a tough front sometimes.” Camden sipped his beer.

  “I’m not sure it’s an act, though,” I added. “She is tough. Maybe she thinks she has to be. I’ve just got to find out why.”

  “Either way,” Justin said, eyes glued to the TV with the basketball game replays, “don’t hurt her. If she’s friends with Riley and Hadley, she’s good people and probably doesn’t deserve it.”

  Justin had no idea how true his words were.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Aiden

  W

  e’d had a few beers and some dinner when Camden finally got the call that girls’ night was winding down. It wasn’t late, being a weeknight, but both Camden and Justin seemed happy to be getting back to their wives. I followed them back, hoping I could convince Rose to ride home with me.

  When the three of us walked into Camden’s house, we were met with the distinct sounds of women laughing. It was hard to hear without smiling. I didn’t know what they were laughing at, but Riley and Hadley were my friends and I liked seeing them happy. And Rose laughing, well, that was quickly topping my list of most favorite sounds ever.

  The three women were standing in the kitchen and when they heard us enter, all eyes swung our way. Immediately, Riley and Hadley lit up, smiling widely at their husbands, who made direct paths straight to them. Rose and I stared at each other, a kitchen between us, while our friends greeted their spouses like they hadn’t seen them in a week.

  “Have fun?” Camden asked, his arm slipping around Riley’s shoulders and pulling her to his side.

  “Of course,” she replied dreamily, pressing in close to him.

  “We always have fun,” Hadley added. “But I have an early day tomorrow, so I think I’m going to bail.”

  “Where’s Stephanie? Does she need a ride home?” Justin asked.

  “She’s in the coffee business and she has an even earlier start to her day than me, so she left about an hour ago.” Hadley pressed up and gave Justin a kiss, then turned to me. “One of these days we need to talk about the Bridgewood project.”

  I let out a loud bark of a laugh.

  “Let me get through Belmont first before you start railroading me with all your ideas for properties that haven’t even got a foundation yet.”

  “You love it when I railroad you.”

  “Hey now,” Justin said with a laugh. “Leave the poor man alone. He promised to let you have access to all his houses, don’t make him regret it.”

  “Fine.” She sighed. “Riley, girlfriend, thanks for the wine.” She tipped an imaginary hat at her friend and Justin reached out, shaking Camden’s hand as they said their goodbyes. I gave him a wave and Hadley a wink as they passed by. “Rose, I’m so glad you came,” Hadley said, giving her a brief hug. “You have to hang out with us more often.”

  Rose looked surprised by the affection, taking a small moment to react before she gently patted Hadley on the back.

  “I had a really good time. Thanks for including me.”

  Hadley said something under her breath in Rose’s ear and then pulled back, looking her right in the eye. “He’s a good guy,” she said, but not quietly enough that I couldn’t hear her.

  Rose nodded, her eyes flashing to me, her cheeks pinking a little more than they already were.

  Hadley hugged her again and then turned to her husband.

  “Take me home, man of mine.”

  Justin tugged her hand and led her toward the front door. Once they left the house was markedly quieter.

  “Can I get you anything, Aiden?” Riley asked with a polite smile. “I’ve got beer. Or wine. Water?”

  “No, I think I’m about to head home too.” I turned my gaze to Rose. “Can I offer you a ride?”

  “That’s all right,” she answered, sounding a little shy for the first time since I’d met her. “I was just going to get an Uber.”

  “Do you single-handedly keep them in business?
”

  “They provide a valuable service.” Her chin tipped up with her words and I could almost see her walls going up with every word. So stubborn.

  “Rose, come on. Let me drive you home.” I was not above begging.

  “It seems silly to take an Uber when you’re both going to the same place,” Riley added, trying to hide a smile.

  “Fine, you can drive me home. But I’m only agreeing because it’s logistically convenient.”

  “Of course,” I replied, balancing on the line between wanting to spank her and kiss her. Or both. That actually sounded better. I was on a mission to prove to Rose that logic couldn’t always rule her. Or rather, if she only stuck to logic she’d miss out on the best parts of life. Those ruled by love or lust, or even joy.

  We said our goodbyes and I walked Rose to my truck, helping her get situated, then climbed in my own side.

  “Have fun?” I asked after we’d driven away.

  “I did. More than I thought I would.” She turned to look at me and caught me staring. “Did you have a good time?” A smile crept across her face.

  “There’s always a good time to be had with Justin and Camden.”

  “Hmmmm.”

  The noise she made was both one of agreement and contemplation. I knew she wasn’t done with her thought, though, so I remained quiet.

  “You know what I’m starting to realize?”

  “What?” I’d never wanted to hear the answer to a question more desperately.

  “I think I have some issues.” Her voice was pensive and soft, but her words jolted me like she’d yelled them.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, why aren’t I normal? Why was this the first night I’d spent with anyone except a client or an employee in months? Years, even, aside from you. Why did I leave all the people I considered friends back in Arizona and come to a city where I knew no one and had no connections?”

  Again, I remained quiet because I had the impression she wasn’t really asking me anything, but rather, thinking out loud. And thinking through some very dense and heavy thoughts.

  “I told myself I was making a smart career move, and I was—I’ve done amazing things with Rose City Event Planning—but I’d convinced myself the move was for business reasons. Now I’m wondering if I was just trying to run away from maintaining personal relationships. Why do I keep people at arm’s length?”

  She turned to me with the question.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “It’s not like I come from some traumatic childhood. I wasn’t abused, and I don’t have shitty parents. I had a normal life.”

  “It’s okay to not be a super social person,” I replied, trying to comfort her. I believed that. Heck, I wasn’t Mr. Social myself. I only had the friends I did because Hadley got her paws on me and wouldn’t let me go.

  “I agree. And I would also agree that ten years ago, I wasn’t a super social person. I planned parties so I didn’t have to go to parties. I was too busy making plans for other people. I never planned anything for me. I’ve been distracting myself from living my life.”

  Panic was creeping into her voice. Out of the corner of my eye I could see her hands balling up into tight fists.

  “Hey,” I said in the smoothest tone I could muster. “Everything’s going to be okay.” I reached out and wrapped my hand around her leg, my fingers gripping the fleshiest part of her thigh, and I tugged gently, urging her to move closer. To my delight and relief, she didn’t resist.

  She allowed me to pull her to my side of the truck and leaned her cheek against my bicep, her hands coming to rest on top of mine, covering her thigh.

  “What’s wrong with me?”

  Her small, sad, pained voice cut right through me and I wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to show her there wasn’t anything wrong with her, not in the slightest.

  “Nothing,” I soothed in a hushed tone, giving her leg a gentle squeeze. “Everyone has something they don’t excel at. And socializing isn’t a terrible thing to suck at. And for what it’s worth, I think you’re perfectly sociable, once you get comfortable. We have a great time together.”

  She laughed slightly, but it was followed by a sniffle and I knew she was trying not to cry.

  “Sweetheart, why are you getting upset? Because you had a good time? That’s no reason to cry. Now that you’re aware of the problem, change it. I’ll help you.”

  “Why would you help me?”

  She wasn’t fishing for compliments. Rose didn’t have a manipulative bone in her body. She genuinely didn’t think she was worthy of my time or attention. That she didn’t warrant my help or focus.

  “I thought I’d been pretty clear, Rose, but if I have to spell it out for you, I will.” We pulled up to a red light, the MAX light rail train whizzing by in front of us. I turned to face her, using my now free hand to cup her chin and bring her gaze to mine. “I’m here because I want to be. I spend time with you because I want to get to know you. I’m attracted to you more than I’ve ever been to anyone, and I’m not going anywhere. Today, tomorrow, next month—I want to be around. I want you. And I want to see where this goes.”

  I watched as indecision danced in her eyes. She was clearly having a discussion with herself, trying to figure out whether she should believe me. Or, rather, whether she was going to allow herself to be wanted, whether she could believe that of herself.

  “Okay,” she finally agreed on a sigh. I hoped the sigh was a sign of her starting to let go of the crazy notions crashing around in her head.

  I brushed my lips against hers for just a moment, kissing her lightly, happiness blossoming in my chest when she kissed me back.

  Soon the train passed, the light turned green, and we made our way back to our building. We didn’t say anything more, but she continued to hold my hand and rest her temple against my arm.

  It was almost the best ten minutes we’d ever spent together.

  The comfortable quiet continued as we rode the elevator up to our floor. The elevator dinged as the doors opened and we made our way down the hall. She slowed as we approached her door, but I didn’t let her hand go. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye for the night.

  “Do you want to come to my place for a bit? Have another drink?” The question was hard to ask, and the answer I was waiting for was even scarier.

  I realized I was running my thumb along the back of her hand. Even that small touch was enough to make my heart race in my chest.

  “Um, all right,” she said quietly, tucking the key back in her purse that she’d already pulled out.

  I led her farther down the hall, turning when we came to the T, heading right.

  “My condo isn’t much. Like I said, I’m just staying here temporarily until the project I’m working on is done. So, it’s not homey. Just functional.”

  I smiled at her, hoping she didn’t think my condo was barren and unfriendly, even though I knew it probably was. Her place was most likely much nicer, but I didn’t want to invite myself in and didn’t want to say goodnight either.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rose

  M

  y heart had never thumped harder in my chest than after hearing Aiden invite me back to his condo. I was trying to figure out a way to prolong our time together, but I knew asking him in was cliché and, not to mention, I was too nervous to even form words correctly. I also didn’t want to endure being rejected again. My heart likely couldn’t take it two nights in a row.

  I said a silent thank you to whichever deity granted me the grace to be able to vocalize my agreement to go back to his place.

  He dropped my hand to fish keys out of his pocket and I instantly missed his warmth wrapped around my palm.

  He opened the door and then let it swing open, motioning for me to enter before him. I walked through and he flipped the light on.

  He hadn’t been kidding about the condo.

  It was sparse.

  But it was also tidy.

  I
immediately felt guilty that I’d expected empty pizza boxes, dirty dishes, and laundry to be strewn about. It did still look a little like a bachelor pad, but clearly a bachelor pad belonging to a grown man.

  The door clicked shut behind me and I heard his voice.

  “Would you like some wine?”

  God, I love his voice.

  Not only did I love his voice, but I loved when he was close and spoke softly, the timbre rumbling over the surface of my skin, causing all kinds of goosebumps to appear.

  “I’d actually just really like some water.”

  I couldn’t help the blush that started creeping across my face. He’d invited me in for a drink and I asked for water. Was I as transparent as I thought? Could he totally see that I would take any excuse just to be with him? I didn’t want any more wine, but I did want to spend time with him. I’d had two glasses at Riley’s and at one point had been a tad bit tipsy. Just enough to feel a little relaxed. But by the time Aiden had shown up, the buzz was gone and instead I was very much aware of every single feeling I was experiencing.

  “Coming right up. Ice?”

  “Sure.”

  He moved past me, his hand brushing my elbow as he walked toward the kitchen.

  His condo looked nothing like mine. The layout was completely different and I found myself looking around, trying to glean any information I could about him from his space.

  “Like I said, this place isn’t really me. I just sleep and eat here sometimes.”

  “I can see that,” I said with a laugh. There was nothing in the living room except a couch and a TV hanging on the wall. No coffee table. Not even a throw pillow.

  “I swear I’m not sterile and boring.”

  My eyes widened at his choice of words.

  “Well, I mean, I’m definitely not sterile. Or, at least I don’t think I am. I’ve never been tested...” He mumbled something else, but I didn’t hear it because I was laughing too hard.

  All the anxious energy and nervousness seemed to explode out of me in laughter. The tension left my body in waves and by the time I’d calmed down, I had tears running down my face.