The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 670

I objected immediately. "Don't put words in my mouth. I never said I disapproved of you."

"If you do, then why won't you marry me?" Zane asked.

It was clear this was a sore subject for him. Gripping the suit, he strode toward the door. I stayed in place, watching him leave.

Maybe it really was true—when people loved someone, they couldn't help but crave their approval, long to be recognized as husband and wife, and hope to spend their lives together.

Realizing I wasn't following, Zane stopped and turned around.

Calmly, I said, "Willow will be back tonight."

He looked disappointed that I wouldn't give him a straight answer.

I added, "We should talk to Willow about this first. If she agrees, we'll get married. If not, we'll just keep dating."

Zane knew I was making the right choice, but that didn't make accepting it any easier. He had wanted me to say yes without worrying about anyone else's say in it.

But if anyone understood me, it was him—he knew I wouldn't do that.

After a long stretch of silence, he finally muttered, "Alright."

"You two are taking forever just to pick one outfit! Haven't you changed yet?" Sasha asked, growing impatient.

With the event looming, her nerves were fraying even more.

Zane knew that talking too much would only make things worse, so he kept it short. "Almost finished."

"Hurry up," Sasha urged. "You don't want to be late."

…

Jessica made a special trip to bring Steven breakfast again in the early morning. Once he was done eating, she took the empty container and made her way home.

On the way, her phone buzzed with a call from Paula.