Three days. It’s been three days since I asked Zora to marry me. The wait is torture. I’m so distracted lately that Kent kicked me out of my own office. So instead of working, I’m pacing the living room trying to convince myself that I didn’t make a huge mistake.

“She’ll say yes. Even if she doesn’t, we’ve still got time. There’s no rush.” I pace to the other end of the room. “Who am I kidding? She’ll say no. Of course she will. Why did I ask her to marry me?”

At that moment, my phone chirps. I scramble to the couch and grab it, answering immediately when I see Zora’s name prancing across the screen.

“Hey,” I say calmly. “What’s up?”

“My shift ends at seven tonight. Can you give me a lift home?”

“Of course,” I blurt. Then realize how eager that sounded and revise, “I’ll be there.”

“Great.” She hangs up.

Just like that.

I pull the phone away and stare at the screen. Zora’s always found a way home on her own. Which means she called me for a reason.

She’s got her answer to my proposal.

My heart thrums in my chest. I shouldn’t be this nervous.

My decision to marry Zora was practical. We’re having a baby; we’re living in the same building. The fact that we actually enjoy each other’s company is the reason I went ahead and asked her, but it’s an idea I’ve been toying with ever since Thomas brought it up.

A future with Violet is never going to happen, and I don’t want to be that pathetic sap stuck on his first love forever.

Still, Zora thinks she’s my second choice, and maybe there’s some truth to that. Looking back, I think proposing when her mouth was filled with fried jacks didn’t help, but I’ll do my best to convince her I’m sincere.

“Kent!” I run back into the office.

My cousin stares at me like I’m crazy, but he looks like the crazy one. His hair falls all over his forehead. A drained coffee mug rests beside his hand. “Where’s the fire?”

“You’re working too hard.” I drag a chair up to him. “Take a break.”

“I can’t. You’ve been more than kind leaving me on the payroll, but it’s time I start earning my keep.” Kent rubs his jaw, which is covered with stubble.

I freeze. “Have you been talking to Milton?”

“Pretty easy to hack into the office chat room.”

“Dude, you’re not supposed to read that stuff.”

“I know it’s wrong, but I wanted to remember what the office was like.”

“That’s not what I meant.” I slap his back. “The workers always talk smack about the boss.”

“They’re right though. I’ve been unfair to you, to all of them.”

“Kent, listen to me. You own this company just as much as I do. You were dealing with a lot last year. No one’s blaming you for taking some time off.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m perfecting this app even if it kills me.”

“Take a break. If Amaya thinks it’s my fault you’re working so hard, she’ll come after me.”

He chuckles and swings his office chair around. “So what did you bounce in here screaming my name for?”

“Oh, right.” I stand and stare him down, trying not to squirm when I ask—“Got any florist recommendations?”

“Florist? As in someone who sells flowers?”

“That’s the definition of a florist, yes.”

He looks shocked. “Why do you need flowers?”

“I’m taking Zora out tonight.”

“Oh?” One eyebrow arches. “Just another business meeting about the baby?”

“Not exactly.”

“Wilson…”

“I’ll tell you about it later. The flowers?”

Kent gives me directions and I head out immediately to buy flowers and make a reservation at Paparazzi’s. Zora said she loved their food so I figured that’s a safe bet.

Next, I head to a jewelry store. The moment I spot the glass display cases filled with shiny rings and the overly cheerful attendant with dollar signs in her eyes, pressure builds in my chest. I spin on my heels and walk out.

All my life, I thought I’d be buying a ring for Violet.

Which is exactly what I shouldn’t be thinking when buying a ring for another woman.

I’ll leave the ring choice up to Zora.

She might not want a ring from you.

I push the thought from my mind and head to the hospital. I’m early, but I don’t want to wait at home. Kent’s probably already gone by now and I figure it makes more sense to go straight to Zora rather than drive aimlessly until seven.

The hospital is busy as usual. I climb the steps to the second floor and slip through the glass doors. The moment Gretchen spots me, she grins. “Hey! Nice seeing you again.”

“Hello, Gretchen.” I tighten my grip on the flowers. “Zora busy?”

“She’s doing her rounds, but she’ll be finished soon.”

“Thanks.”

Her eyes dip to the flowers. “Those are beautiful. What are you guys celebrating? Maybe a pregnancy?”

I give her a tight-lipped smile but keep quiet.

“Fine. You don’t have to tell me.” She sighs. “This is so unfair. I can’t even get a guy to text back, but Zora’s got two guys after her.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Gretchen points to the blooms sitting on her desk. They’re huge and ostentatious. “I’m assuming these aren’t from you since Zora foists them on me with a scowl every morning.”

I glare at the orange petals. “Who are they from?”

“Ooh.” Gretchen smirks. “Your growly voice is hot.”

“Gretchen,” I bark.

“I don’t know. She’s always in a bad mood when she hands them to me so I don’t ask.”

I turn away, my grip so tight the stalks bend. Gretchen doesn’t have to give me a name. I already know who the flowers are from.

Keanu.

Is this his game plan? Show up and try to woo Zora back so he can break her heart again?

I face Gretchen, my mood ruined. “Here.” I thrust the bouquet at her. “Guess I won’t be needing this.”

“Aw! Thank you!” Gretchen brings the bouquet to her nose and inhales deeply.

My chest is tight. I need some air.

When I turn around to leave Zora is standing right there. My eyes clamor all over her, not sure where to settle first. She’s got her hair down and it falls to just above her shoulders. Instead of scrubs, she’s wearing a flowery blouse and jeans.

Any breath I had leaves when I look at her.

Man, she’s beautiful.

Zora walks toward me with a scowl that warns she misunderstood what she just saw. “You’re here.”

“Yeah.”

“Look, Zora!” Gretchen preens, waving her flowers around. She’s either intentionally ignoring the tension or she’s just plain obtuse. “Your boyfriend is so sweet.”

“A lot of people seem to think so.”

I swallow. “Zora—”

“Let’s go.” She turns on her heels and stalks outside, reminding me of how she acted the last time I came to pick her up from work.

This time, however, she recognizes the rental and stops in front of it. I press the fob and watch her climb in, wincing when she slams the door so hard the entire car rocks.

Seems I accidentally dug myself into a hole. Unfortunately, I’m not in the mood to clarify myself.

Is Zora seeing Keanu again? Right after my marriage proposal?

I climb into the car. Zora sits stiffly in the passenger seat. She’s staring straight ahead. I can feel the anger pulsing off her like waves.

This isn’t the way I wanted to start the night off. Keanu or no Keanu.

I sigh as I turn the key in the ignition and get the car on the road. “That wasn’t what it looked like. Gretchen—”

“No, don’t explain. We’re not together so you can give flowers to whoever you want.”

“Is that what you told Keanu? That we’re not together?”

She swings her head around so fast I’m afraid she got whiplash. “What?”

“Why didn’t you tell me he’s been sending you flowers?”

“I don’t have to report to you. And how did you even find out?”

“Gretchen,” I say simply.

She goes quiet.

“The flowers I bought were for you, but since someone else had the same idea I gave them away.”

“Oh.” She pauses. “To be honest, I don’t like getting flowers. They just bloom and die. I prefer something I can eat.”

“That I can provide. Paparazzi’s okay?”

“It’s perfect.”

I nod, debating whether I should pursue the Keanu topic now that Zora’s calmed. I can’t help myself. “Has he tried to contact you?”

“Who?”

“You know who.”

She pulls her hands together. “Not really.”

“No calls, no texts, nothing?” Somehow I find that hard to believe.

“He’s been sending me notes hidden in the flowers, but that’s it.”

“What kind of notes?”

She scrunches her nose as if deciding whether to humor me or remind me I should mind my own business. I can’t help the smile that grows as I shoot a quick glance at her.

The first time I met Zora, she seemed so hard, brusque and prickly. Now that I know her better, she’s like an ornery child trapped in an adult’s body—more bark than bite.

“Just… notes.”

That’s all I’m getting for now.

I know better than to push her so I turn the radio on and let a soulful love song fill the silence as we drive to the restaurant. The moment I stop in the lot, I pop out of the car and open her door.

Zora gets out and shoots me an amused look. “You don’t have to keep doing that.”

“I want to.”

“For me or the baby?”

“Can’t I say both?”

“Hm…” She narrows her eyes.

I smile at her. “Come on. The faster we get inside, the faster we can eat.”

Zora needs no extra incentive and eagerly follows me up the stairs. After we’re seated and give our orders, we snack on the corn chips stationed in the middle of our table.

The restaurant is mostly empty, which makes it feel private and intimate. The lights are dim and the golden bulb above glistens on Zora’s brown skin, turning it to bronze.

We exchange small talk about our day while we wait for the food, but there’s an elephant sitting at the table.

I clear my throat. Squirm. Take a sip of water. When the silence stretches into awkwardness, I set my glass down and look at her. “So… about my question the other day.”

“Ah yes. Your marriage proposal.”

“Have you thought about it?”

“Yes, I have.” Zora sits there, staring at me. She’s intentionally drawing the moment out. Making me beg for it.

“And… what have you decided?”

“My answer is yes.”

My heart stutters. I blink. “Did you just agree?”

“I’ll marry you.” She nods. “In two years.”

“Wha—two years? Then you’re saying no.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes.”

I shake my head to clear it. “You’ll marry me.”

She nods.

“In two years.”

“That’s right.” She smiles. “Should we break out the champagne?”

“Is this a joke?”

“No joke. I’ll marry you. If we’re still together then. For now, let’s date.”

“I asked you to marry me and you’re asking me out instead.”

“Mm-hm.”

I run a hand through my hair, struggling to wrap my brain around her answer. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m attracted to you. Obviously. And I want to get to know you better, but marrying now… we would be doing it for the wrong reasons. Plus…” Her gaze skitters. “I want you to have a way out in case you and Violet—”

“There is no me and Violet,” I say intently.

“Still, I prefer it this way. Then, if we marry, I won’t have to worry about finding a dress while I’m blowing up.” She pats her rounded stomach.

I settle into my seat and think it over. This isn’t what I wanted, but I see her point. Finally, I jerk my chin down. “Then my answer is yes.”

“To what?”

“You asked me out, remember?”

Her grin climbs. “Yeah, I guess I did.”