Rose’s POV

“That’s my name,” he said, spreading slowly, thinking, and smiling. “And apparently, I’m in good fortune to have ended up in your company tonight.”

A soft chuckle slipped through. "Good name you have." I leaned forward, tilting my head. "And by extension, makes me lucky, I guess."

He chuckled, and his chuckle was low and compassionate. "Well, perhaps we should take our chances."

I turned to him fully now, seeing how he stood, loosely but alert. There was ...