A/N: My gosh, I'm stepping out of my comfort zone. I actually wrote a Related fic. Can you believe it? It's my first time stepping into this show's fic world. One-shot.
Set after 'The Naked Truth'. Told from Joel's perspective.
Two hours and thirty-seven minutes.
That's how long it had taken. He timed it.
That's how long it took for him to discover what kind of flowers to get her. Roses for Rose – he thought that'd be clever.
He wrote his speech in that two hours and thirty-seven minutes, too. That's what took up the majority of the time.
He'd decided on 'grab a bite' over 'get something to eat' because it sounded less date-like and more friends-like.
He made sure to congratulate her. Even though he'd written it ahead of time, he knew she'd deserve it. She was an incredible actress, after all.
His favorite part, though, was the meaning of the roses. "A promise of new beginnings." He had hoped she'd see that in the way he'd meant it. He'd meant new beginnings in acting, of course.
But he'd meant new beginnings for them, too.
Unfortunately, everything started off badly. He had to walk in right as she was having 'a moment' with Alex. What was so great about him anyway?
However, he thought he made up for that. He gave her the flowers, and recited the words that he had memorized and practiced in front of his mirror the night before.
It was going well.
She'd almost said yes. He saw her answer in her eyes and the words forming on her tongue.
Except she'd been called away. That's the price he paid for being in love with an actress.
Two hours and thirty-seven minutes.
He wondered how long it would take next time.
The End
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