Rose for Rose: Book Two in the Angels' Mirror Series by Harmony L. Courtney

Arthur thought of how the woman’s heart was too soft for her own good.
    Not that he was complaining; that ran in his favor.
    Man, she be gull’ble. Can’t resist me no free meal, though, an’ pretty comp’ny. May’s well. Andrea ain’t goin’ nowheres no time soon, an’ she ain’t got nothin’ I want, no how , he thought. Rosemary stepped closer and he thought she was going to hug him, but she stepped around. His insides chilled to ice. How dare she step arou’ me like I ain’t even standin’ here? How ‘bout some respet!
    “See you later,” Rosemary called after her friend.
    Odd. He’d never seen the other woman around, had he? Yet… there was something vaguely familiar about her…
    Well, I gots ta think on dat one fo’ a minite…
    “Please,” she in-waved her hand in welcome then as she turned back to him, “come on in. I hope you still like barbecued chicken.”
    A smile played on her lips, and his heart thundered. She nodded her head for him to walk inside ahead of her, and he did so, reluctantly.
    He’d much rather have followed behind, if only to keep his eyes on her.
    How had he forgotten just how beautiful she was? Andrea was gorgeous, but Rosemary… she was like the sun and moon and stars together.
    She moved him.
    Even when she was disrespectful, it didn’t come off as intentional, like with some other people.
    Andrea, well, she was just a… distraction from his true goal and the potential of a great relationship with Rosemary. Five seven instead of Andrea’s five eleven. A good solid size sixteen rather than a puny ten. And at least three cup sizes bigger than… he smiled. My, my, my…
    Once they were inside, Arthur nodded. “Sho I do. You know me too well, Rosie. Always did, probably always will, I ‘spect.” He bowed a little, suggesting she lead the way.
    As he followed her curvaceous form toward the dining area, he surveyed the surroundings.
    Were those reindeer antlers for lighting? Never seen them before , he thought, trying not to laugh.
    The rest was pretty easy to identify: deep red rugs over pine flooring, just as they’d always been. Her white and navy striped couch and loveseat had been moved, but they were still the same, save some throws over their rounded backs.
    “Hmm… new dining set. What kinda wood’s that?”
    He gently placed a hand near one of its corners and smoothed his dark tapered fingers over it.
    It reminded him of that creepy, strange dust-covered old mirror he kept meaning to move out of his room; the one that made him feel like he was being watched.
    Ken said it was his favorite, and one of the oldest he’d found, so he’d have professional movers move it, even if it was going just a few feet. Something about its “fragility,” he’d said….
    Whatever that mean , Arthur thought, smirking.
    “What? Oh, sorry… my mind was elsewhere for a moment. It’s made of repurposed wood. Mostly mahogany, but some other dark woods, too. But I had to choose a single stain, so… You stay here,” she interrupted herself, pointing at the piece to emphasize her words before turning toward the kitchen.
    “I’ll go check the chicken and grab the rest of the meal fixings.”
    “Can’t I… want any help?” Not that he wanted to help.
    He loathed manual labor, but if it got him into her good graces… well?
    “Nonsense. Just have a seat. Feel free to find something on the radio, if you wish, while you wait. It’s there,” she pointed to a matching wooded piece that reminded him of a dresser, “on the buffet… er, the sideboard.”
    That’s what a sideboard is?
    “Awright. Fine. I will. Thanks.” Then. “It’s so good to see ya, Rosemary. Wish I’da come a lot sooner.”
    “It’s good seeing you again, as well, Arthur. I know things can’t have been easy when you were…” She looked down, then over her shoulder.
    “Um… I better check that chicken. Shouldn’t be long.”
     
     
     
    Quickly folding his napkin like he’d seen Rosemary