‘So you have rules that you think make relationships work?’ Ben asked.
Rose took a slice of mozzarella and used a fork to push it around her plate before nodding, suddenly wary. Was he going to make fun of her?
‘Yet you’re not married or in a serious relationship – at least that’s what you told Aunt A. Why is that?’
A waiter appeared and began to clear some of the empty plates. Another topped up Rose’s wine before she could tell him she didn’t want more. She picked it up and sipped, usingthe time to gather her thoughts. ‘I haven’t met the person who is right for me yet,’ she said slowly. ‘My rules are important, but they have to work in tandem with – rather than replace – things like chemistry and attraction.’ Things that had been sadly lacking for her.
‘Chemistry?’ Ben checked, and when Rose looked up, his eyes were dark. ‘You have a rule for that?’
‘Nope. That happens by itself,’ Rose said as something in her chest fizzed. She cleared her throat. ‘I think a shared sense of humour is important too. You should enjoy the same things.’
Ben raised an eyebrow when Luna and Marco began to laugh, their heads bobbing together. ‘Okay,’ he said flatly. ‘I had all those things with my ex, but my relationship still didn’t last. As far as I’m concerned, there are no guarantees, although it would be easier if there were.’ He paused. ‘It would have saved me a fortune in caterers and rings.’ He folded his arms and gave her a half smile. ‘Tell me about your other rules, I’d like to know if I was missing something important.’ Rose could see from Ben’s expression that he was sceptical.
She sighed. An unbeliever – she dealt with them all the time. ‘One.’ She wriggled a finger and then sipped some water to counter the alcohol. ‘You don’t sleep together until you’ve been seeing each other for at least seven weeks.’
Ben’s mouth tipped. ‘Seven,’ he choked. ‘Why not six?’
‘Years of study,’ Rose said. ‘By seven you’ll have started to let your guard down, there will be less secrets. If there are cracks, and you’re willing to look, you’ll begin to see them. Time makes things more difficult to hide.’
‘But what if you can’t keep your hands off each other?’ Ben looked more indignant than amused.
‘That’s where restraint comes in,’ Rose said dryly. ‘Instant gratification is one of the biggest curses of our generation. Lovers need to wait rather than leap in.’ Her eyes tripped toLuna who was stroking Coco and gazing at Marco adoringly. ‘That way we know what we’re getting ourselves into. There’s less chance of making a mistake.’
She’d had a front row seat for every one of her parents’ disasters. It was enough to put you off love for life. Although she hadn’t lost faith. If you followed the rules and met the right person, a happily ever after was possible, if not guaranteed.
‘Sounds to me like you’re trying to take the romance out of love,’ Ben said softly.
‘That’s not it,’ Rose shot back, picking up her wine again. This conversation was unsettling, but she didn’t want to give Ben the upper hand by letting him see she was rattled. ‘There’s room for it, you just have to savour, take your time.’
Ben looked sympathetic. ‘By denying each other.’ He frowned. ‘I’m not sure I like your rules.’
Which was hardly a surprise, but his words still bothered her. ‘There’s nothing wrong with them,’ Rose said stiffly, pushing her empty wine glass into the centre of the table. She’d had enough.
‘Tell me another,’ Ben said.
She sat back in her chair and considered him. ‘You shouldn’t marry until you’ve been together for a year – and it’s important to know exactly what you both want for the future. I have a checklist I give my clients.’
‘A checklist.’ Ben smirked, swallowing the rest of his wine. ‘I’d love to see a copy.’ His smile had returned, and his eyes were sparking with amusement.
‘You’re not a client, but I’m sure Marco will share it with you once I give him a copy. I just need to find a printer so I can print them from my laptop,’ Rose said primly as the three waiters appeared again, carrying another mountain of food. ‘We should eat.’ She banked her irritation as they began to place the dishes on the table. ‘Disagreements don’t mix with food.’
‘Is that another rule?’ Ben teased as the waitress – who’d been ogling him earlier – came to refill his wine glass. He smiled up at her again and then blew a kiss. Rose swore she could hear the woman’s hormones combust.
She forced her gaze back to the grape vines away from the table and took in a slow breath. Annoyingly, it was even more obvious now that she and Ben were on opposing sides and there would be no convincing him that she was right.
So be it. She just had to work out how to convince Luna to postpone her wedding without him or Marco getting in the way.
8
BEN
‘I’ve arranged a special surprise,’ Marco said as the waiters appeared again, and he pushed back his chair and stood, sweeping his gaze to take in Aurora, Luna and Rose, who was still seated opposite Ben. The table was littered with empty plates after they’d all gorged themselves on an incredible selection of desserts. Ben wasn’t sure if he’d be able to move, he’d eaten so much.
Even Rose had surprised him by trying a spoonful of each – her pretty face flushing, as if she’d been embarrassed about showing her pleasure. Every bite she took had been so cautious, so careful – she’d been fascinating to watch.
He wondered now if that was another of her rules – a deliberate attempt to stop herself from leaping into anything and enjoying herself. But why was she so wary: was it just her parents? It was startling how much he wanted to know.
‘What surprise?’ Luna asked excitedly, rising to her feet too, still clutching Coco. Ben hadn’t had a proper chance to speak to Marco, so had no idea what his friend had planned.
