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

do, Arthur smiled in appreciation. How long had it been since he’d had such a great meal?
    Had he ever ?
    “Thanks,” he said.
    He hated that the dinner conversation had, at best, been stilted… but what was he gonna do about it?
    “Oh, you’re so welcome. I just figured…”
    “Yeah,” he said, wanting to get out of there. In moments, he was yawning.
    There, that should do it. She should get the hint now, right?
    Overtly checking his watch, Arthur cringed.
    Uncle Dabney would be back at the house in less than an hour, and the sky had already grown dark. Thankfully Dabney and Ken had some conference or another they were leaving for in the morning, but… what was he going to do in the meantime?
    He just had to figure out what he would do with…
    “I’m sorry. I should have realized you might be tired,” he heard Rosemary say, his thoughts now refocused on Andrea.
    What was he going to do about her?
    “Aw, it’s awright,” he said, standing.
    His head knocked into the end of one of the overhead lights, and he cringed, putting a hand to it.
    “Wow, are you alright? I should have… sorry I didn’t warn you the lights were… but you’re so much taller than I am, I didn’t even…” She stopped for a few moments, as if to gather her thoughts. With a slow shrug, all she did was apologize again, then stand.
    “Well, it’s been real,” he said, taking a few steps toward the door. She followed him, and they made their way to the front door.
    Arthur opened his arms wide. “Can I have a hug?”
    Though she looked uncomfortable, she acquiesced.
    “Sure.”
    Rosemary hesitantly walked closer toward him, and he encircled her in the length of his arms, pulling her as close as he was able. He wanted to feel every possible inch of her available.
    What he wouldn’t give… and what he wouldn’t do… if only this could last, and she would agree to be his. Then, everything would be perfect once his plan…. Arthur smiled as he moved his hands into her hair as he began to ponder what the future would look like, just the two of them, alone in a cabin in the woods somewhere.
    Away from society.
    Away from all the nosey people, and his PO, and anyone who reminded him of all he didn’t want to think about.
    It was a delicious thought, indeed.
    “Arthur!”
    “Huh? What?”
    “Didn’t you hear me? I asked you to let me go. You’re hurting me…”
    Immediately, he released her.
    “My bad. Sorry. I jus’… missed ya so much, I…” he refused to finish the sentence, considering where his thoughts were already taking him.
    “Anyways,” he said finally… “I’s gotta get outta here anyways, so…. Need to talk wit’ Uncle Dabney befo’ I go fo’ some sleep t’night. But um, it’s been real. Really um… real. I ‘preciate it.”
    “It’s been… good to catch up,” she replied, a confused look on her face. “Thanks for stopping in for a while. I agree… it’d been too long. I’m glad to hear things are… better.”
    “Yeah, no prob, girl, but, uh… ya know, we should get t’gether again soon, dontcha think? Maybe meet up wit me at Ol’ Dabney’s tomorrow afternoon, say… um…” He glanced down at his watch, trying to calm his nerves. “Maybe three thirty or four? We could go, ya knows, like fo’ a walk or sumpthin’.”
    “Well…” she began. “I’ll consider it, Arthur. Thanks for the invite. If I can make it, I’ll be there. I just don’t know yet how much of my day will be free, since I have classes and work and…” She paused a moment. “You understand, right?”
    Though she smiled, but Arthur wondered… did it reach her eyes? He wasn’t sure. There was something that just seemed… off.
    “Sure, whatever. If you can make it, cool. If not, it ain’t no skin off my nose, girl. I ain’t gonna trip over it or nothin’,” he said a little too gruffly, running his hands through his hair.
    His heart pounded in his chest and he forced himself not to curl his fists up