Practice Makes Perfect (When in Rome, #2)

by Sarah Adams

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. —Audrey Hepburn

I am the quiet one in my family. The one with her nose always in a book because she prefers worlds where she doesn’t have to interact with other humans. It’s so much easier to read about relationships than to foster them. Less dangerous too. I can’t offend anyone written into a book. I can’t say the wrong thing. And book characters don’t make judgments about me.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a nonreader. Reading just hasn’t been on my radar before.” “But now it is?” I ask hopefully, glancing at him. “Maybe.” He smirks.

James clears his throat. “Why do I feel like I just missed out on an important opportunity?” Because you did. Now, get lost, she’s mine.

“If I waited until I felt confident to live my life and do the things I want to do, I’d never live.”

His words wrap around my heart and squeeze. And it’s in this moment that I realize BuzzFeed wasn’t able to capture the most wonderful expression I’ve seen from Will yet—tenderness.

Annie: You’d do that for me? Will: I’m quickly learning I’d do anything for you.

But the thing about quiet people is, we’re only quiet because our brains are so busy overthinking everything.

A low rumbly laugh sounds from his chest, and all I want is to press my face to it and feel the vibrations against my cheek. “I don’t love flowers as much as you.”

“I do love her. And I’m scared to death.”

He lowers his voice and steps closer and leans into me, his one rebellious lock of hair dashing almost provocatively over his eyebrow as he does. “You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Annabell, I need you to know, I’ve fallen madly in love with you.”

I splay my hand over his chest. “Heartbreaking, Will. It’s impossible not to love you.”

I need you in my life like I need air, Annie. You have wrecked me in the best way I could ever imagine, and I’ll never be the same. Never want to be the same.” He kisses my forehead. “I love you. And I know marriage is something that’s deeply important to you—and what you want is deeply important to me, so…marry me, Annie. No one else.”

“I love you, too, Will. I love you more than I thought possible to love anyone.

“Annie?” “Yes?” “I love you.” I breathe in the smell of flowers and Will Griffin. My two favorite scents in the entire world. “I love you, too, Will.”

This one is for the softies. The tenderhearted sweeties. The introverts who are afraid to shine.