Page 66 of Wrong For Me

“I’ll take your word for it,” Will mutters drily, and I laugh again. For my burly, tattooed, guitar-playing cousin, an academic conference probably sounds painfully boring.

“It will just be nice,” I say, returning my attention back to the window. “To be able to fade into the background, you know?”

Will shakes his head. “Those people might not give a shit about our dads’ band, but you could never fade into the background, Rosie.”

“Aww.” I reach over and pat the side of his bearded face. “So sweet.”

He pushes my hand away. “Yeah, yeah.” There’s a beat of silence before he clears his throat. “I uh, wanted to talk to you about something.”

He sounds uncharacteristically nervous and I notice for the first time that he’s drumming his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, the way he does when he’s anxious or upset.

“Everything okay?”

He nods. “Yeah. I just…” he shakes his head, letting out a low laugh. “I think this is the first time I’m saying it out loud.”

My stomach clenches, something in his tone setting me on edge, warning that whatever he has to say next is going to bebig. Big enough to change things.

“I’m going to propose to Eva.”

Holy. Shit.

“Seriously?”

He gives a nervous laugh. “Crazy, huh? But yeah.” He takes a deep breath, nodding decisively. “It’s time. I’m ready.”

There’s nothing but conviction in my best friend’s voice. And that conviction makes my heart do the strangest thing—it feels like it’s soaring with happiness and sinking to my knees at the same time. Will is serious. He’s actually going to propose.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, and I realize several moments have passed with me saying nothing.

“I’m…wow, Will. That’s huge.”

His laugh is shaky. “Fuck, I know. Rest of my life huge.”

This is crazy. Less than a year ago, my cousin was a mess. He was so filled with anger and pain about his past that he could barely stand to be around his dad and uncles. He was closed off and pissed off and the mere thought of talking about his emotions would send him running. And then he’d met Eva and everything had changed.

I’m happy for him. I truly, truly am. Will Ransome deserves the best kind of love, the kind that fills you up with joy and contentment and smooths away all the rough edges of life. The kind my parents have, and his parents have.

So I must be a terrible person because the only thing I can think right now is how drastically everything is about to change. He’s going to getmarried. He’s going to move out and start a life with Eva. There’s going to be a person that he puts above all others, a person that he lives for.

And as thrilled as I am for him, I know this also means I’m going to lose him.

“You with me, Rosie?”

Shit. I need to get myself together. This is a big damn deal for my cousin, and I cannot ruin it with my own selfish thoughts.

“I’m just shocked.” I manage a laugh. “God, Will! Married! I can’t believe it.” I grab his hand off the steering wheel, squeezing tight. “But it’s great. Really, really great.Eva’sgreat.”

His grin is so boyish and pleased it makes my heart squeeze. “She’s the best, right? I mean, how in the hell did I get so lucky that she would even date me? I need to lock this down before she comes to her senses.”

“You’re right about that. The girl is way out of your league.” We both laugh. “So, when are you doing this?”

“I’m still planning the details, but I’m thinking soon.” He glances over at me. “Will you help me with the ring when you get back?”

“Of course,” I say automatically. Helping each other is second nature, what we’ve always done.

He lets out a relieved breath. “Okay. Good. And maybe I can run some proposal ideas by you.”

“Definitely—you’ll need someone to make sure you don’t plan something lame.” We’re quiet for a moment, Will grinning that stupidly happy grin while I try hard to keep my worry tamped down. “Are you going to tell the family?”