“It’s one of my many excellent qualities,” I drawled. “Anyway, how’s the wedding planning going? Ava turn into Bridezilla yet?”
“Josh, she literally got engaged four days ago. She’s still in Europe.”
Alex had extended their trip so they could visit France and Spain after London.
“Hey, I’ve never been a bride. I don’t know how these timelines work.”
Jules let out a good-natured sigh. “It’ll be a while before we get into the swing of things, but…” A blanket of hesitation fell over her face. “Speaking of brides, we’re getting to that time in our lives. Bridget’s married. Ava is engaged.”
“Yep.”
“Do you…want to get married anytime soon?”
My thumb stilled on her skin. “Do you?” I watched her carefully for a reaction.
We’d only been dating for a few months, but now was as good a time as any to discuss our expectations for the future.
We stared at each other for a second before we blurted out our answers.
“No, I’m not financially ready yet—”
“I still have to finish my residency and take my boards—”
“There’s so much I want to do before—”
“So many places to travel—”
Our words jumbled together in our haste.
Jules laughed, covering her face with her hands. “Oh, thank God. Not that I don’t want to get married and have kids eventually, but now…”
“…Is not the right time,” I finished. “Totally agree.”
I already knew she was the one I wanted to spend my life with, but marriage came with financial responsibilities neither of us was equipped to handle at the moment.
Besides, when we did have our wedding, I wanted it to be her ultimate dream wedding. I wanted our honeymoon to be fucking epic. Those things weren’t possible when I was constrained by my residency, and Jules was navigating her first years as an attorney.
“There’s too much of the world to see first.” I rubbed my thumb over her hand. “And I want to see it all with you.”
A blush of pleasure climbed up her neck and over her face. “Is that a promise, Chen? Because I’ll hold you to it.”
I smiled, wondering how the fuck I ever thought Jules was anything other than my perfect match.
“It’s more than a promise, Red. It’s a guarantee.”