I think Loren’s been telling everyone to keep it quiet until after the party. Daisy must have talked to her about trying to set us up.
Claire
And I thought you’d quit all that lying and scheming …
Rowan
But I’m only telling fibs of omission, and I’m doing it for a good reason.
Claire
So you are actually afraid to ask me out?
Rowan
Maybe … just a little.
Claire
It’s okay if you’re not ready for everyone to see us together. I get it.
Rowan
I’m worried you’re not ready for that. And it’s okay if you aren’t. I promised we’d do this at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
Claire
Are you really prepared to face your family and everything they’ll have to say about us?
Rowan
I am very much looking forward to rubbing our official-adjacent relationship in everyone’s faces.
Claire
Then is this your way of asking me to be your date for the party?
Rowan
No, hang on, you deserve better.
Daphne Claire Bergeron, would you do me the honor of being my date for my sister’s surprise party this weekend?
(I’m on my knees right now, if it helps.)
Claire
Hmm. Pics or it didn’t happen …
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
claire
“It’s justour friends and family, right?” Rowan reaches over the console of his truck to curl his hand around mine when I let out a weighty exhale.
I probably shouldn’t be this nervous over the prospect of looking romantically involved with him when we’ve been behaving very romantically together, at least for the past few days. But I can’t shake the voice in my head telling me I’m not the right woman for the job, even though my heart seems to think I am.
“You must not have heard everything your sisters said about me last time,” I remark, intending it to be a joke. But I feel guilty as soon as his expression falls.
