The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 799

"My friends told me I should always have gifts ready and plan surprises often,"

Zane said.

I felt like I was about to cry when I finally understood what he meant.

When I was with Steven, I put so much into our relationship, but he never seemed

to care. But with Zane, I didn't think about those things as much-yet he noticed

everything.

Tears filled my eyes. I blinked them away, then met Zane's gaze and said slowly,

choosing my words carefully, "Thank you for putting so much effort into keeping

our relationship strong."

Zane pulled me into his arms and gently wiped away my tears. "Why are you

crying?"

I moved back from his embrace and met his eyes. "Because I can tell we're on the

same page about this relationship. But giving gifts too often might cause

misunderstandings, especially if we start expecting surprises all the time.

"There's only so much you can give and only so many surprises to come up with.

I'll be sitting at home waiting for something new, and once you run out of ideas,

just turn into us

had their own views on

about romance and loved it when

for them. Others believed that

companionship.

was in

strong relationship was built on

when issues popped up, and working together on

solution.

gift every now and then could add a little spark and keep things from

end of the day, that wasn't what marriage was really

after

long

then is fine. Just

each word.

Zane replied

only then that I pulled

and took

fragrance of roses

spreading warmth

chest.

my suggestion. He could tell I

him that all the effort

it, his voice softened. "There's

it."

absentmindedly fiddling with the rose

froze. I turned to

you spend so

alone another gift on top of it.