Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Six

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Six
Jayce

Rose and I are in Italy. It was the last stop of her UK/Europe book tour. It has been as successful as the US leg of it. Her copies keep climbing. Her new book, which isn’t out for a few months, is doing amazing with pre-orders, better so than her first book. It is incredible to watch her. She seems more relaxed and happier with her status as a bestselling author, one of the bestselling authors of the year. 

We head home tomorrow, so we are enjoying our last night in Italy. We also have Tanner and Remi’s wedding next weekend, which everyone is excited about. It has come around so quickly, and we will be next, only two months to go. We stopped in at Loch Lomond to check on things in person between stops. Everything is ready for our wedding. All that is left is for us to be here. Everything is planned perfectly. There haven’t been any significant issues. 

“I love this city,” Rose gushes as we walk around Rome. We had the most delicious dinner, and now we are enjoying a stroll. 

“Are you excited for the wedding next weekend?” I ask. 

“Yes, I can’t wait to watch my best friend get married. I never thought I would see the day, to be honest,” she giggles. 

“Same when it came to Tanner, but they turned out to be the perfect match.” 

“They did, and so did we.” She smiles, resting her head on my shoulder as we walk. 

“Yes, and then it is our turn. If you want to change your mind, now is the time. You could always find yourself an Italian man.” I tease. I have noticed her checking a couple of them out, but I am fine with it. It doesn’t mean anything.

What I don’t like is them looking at her. I have noticed. I can understand why they are checking her out, she is gorgeous, but it sets my jealousy off, makes me hold her tighter. 

“I was thinking that. Here would be the perfect place to find one.” She teases back. 

“You can try, but it won’t work. I won’t let you leave me, and I will kick his ass.”

Rose laughs loudly and kisses my cheek. “I only want you. Nothing would make me change my mind about marrying you, Jayce.” 

“Good, because you would miss me too much anyway.” 

She nods in agreement. “Yes, I would. Should we get some gelato?” 

“Sure.” I smile. 

We find a place easily, order one each, and find a seat to eat. Rose rests her head on my shoulder the second we sit, enjoying her gelato, and I do the same. We watch as people dance on the streets. I love the vibe of this place. It is one of my favourite counties to visit. 

“I can’t believe my first book tour is done.” 

“I know, but you will have another one next year with your new book.” 

“Yes, I can only imagine what Jane has planned for me. It will probably be bigger than this one. More people, signings, and interviews. At least the second time around, I will know what to expect.” 

“Oh, I can too. It will be amazing for you, though.” 

“I am sure, but for now, all I want to focus on is my best friend’s wedding and ours. The rest of it can wait. I am all yours for the time being, especially since the book is done. The third one doesn’t need anything done for a while since no one knows about it yet.” 

“I can’t wait to marry you, pretty eyes. Rose Blakely. I like the sound of that. You are going to take my surname, right? If you don’t want, that is okay too.” 

I would much rather she would, but that will be her choice. 

“Of course, I will take your surname, my love. I want us to have the same name. I will be proud to have your surname. When we start a family, I want the same name as our kids.” 

“I would like that very much.” 

We haven’t really discussed starting a family much, but we plan to wait at least a few years before considering it. I want to enjoy being husband and wife. There is no need to rush, we still have time. Honestly, I think the first ones to have a baby are Joshua and Penelope. I know they have been talking about it. I am surprised they are so soon, but they have been so long in the making, it makes sense. Remi and Tanner have the same idea as we do. They are going to wait and enjoy married life for a while. 

“Me too. You are still okay about waiting for a family, right?” 

“Yes, I am fine to wait. I was just thinking about that. There is no rush. We have a lot to do before that.” 

“Good. I want to make sure we are still on the same page.” 

I kiss the top of her head. “Yes, we are.” 

Silence falls between us, a comfortable one as we eat and watch everyone having a great time. 

“Should we head back? I am exhausted, and we have an early flight home tomorrow.” Rose asks. 

“Yes, we should go and get some rest.” 

There has been a lot of travelling for the last month. Our flight home is at nine tomorrow, so we need to be at the airport by seven and leave our hotel by sex. It is already eleven. We can rest on the flight. I have loved travelling with Rose, but I will be glad to get home, we both will be. I need to get back to work, but my brothers have been taking care of things while I have been gone, so there shouldn’t be any issues or anything to worry about. I left it all in good hands. 

We toss our rubbish in the trash, and I take her hand, keeping her close to me as we stroll back to the hotel. We have jetted around so much this year, but it has been good, all part of our lives, but after our wedding and honeymoon, it will be nice to be staying home and in one place for a while. 

“Thank you for being with me this time, Jayce.” 

“I wouldn’t want to have been anywhere else. There was no chance in hell I was leaving you alone with Italian, French, British and Spanish men.” I chuckle. 

“Why do you think one of them would steal me?” she laughs. 

“I know how much accents are a weakness for you women.” 

“Aww, my jealous, protective, jealous husband-to-be.” 

“Would you have me any other way?” 

Rose shakes her head. “I wouldn’t change you for the world, my love.” She reaches up, pecking my lips as we walk. 

“Right back at you.” I smile. 

It has been a nice time, just the two of us, while she hasn’t been signing. We have had a couple of days in each place, which has helped even things out. It would have been too much if there hadn't any time in between for Rose to relax.