Wayne had made him pack both black shirts - his old one for New Years, the new one for a special occasion. As Eddie buttoned the former, he wondered if Rosie could even tell the difference. Then he noticed the top button was missing.

"Dead giveaway." He hadn't intended on closing it anyway, so it was no real loss.

"Don't you look snazzy." Rosie padded in, makeup and hair fixed. She had put on a little black dress that hugged her frame, the skirt dangerously short. Eddie felt all thoughts fly from his head as she walked past.

"You sure you're gonna be warm enough in that?"

"I have my coat." She sat on the bed, considered the red heels she had picked out, then put them into her bag. Smart move, wearing her sneakers outside instead. He had no desire to take her to the emergency room.

"Wear your scarf, too."

"As long as you do." The grey scarf she'd said he could have. It suited him better, anyway.

The thought struck him as Rosie checked herself in the mirror. Eddie dove across the bed and started digging around in his bag. "Almost forgot."

She smiled at the box he placed on the bed. "I thought we said no presents?"

"This is from your birthday." He replied. "Sorry it took so long."

Rosie ripped the paper. Tousled his hair then kissed his cheek. Immediately had to rub a lipstick stain off him. "I was running out. Thank you."

He captured her lips, thoughts of skipping the party once again entering his head. Though it would be a shame to waste that dress. "Always welcome."

"I...actually have something for you, too."

"I thought we said no presents!" Eddie jeered shrilly, earning himself a swift punch.

"Shut! You probably won't even want it."

He frowned skeptically as he accepted the smaller box. Why wouldn't he want it? There was an Armani stamp on the case, which he didn't have to fake his reaction to. "How much -"

"Just open it."

Inside was a pair of cufflinks. Just plain silver, with the logo stamped into them. Eddie really didn't know how to react. If Rosie had bought these, that meant she thought he would use them. She didn't buy things without reason. "These are...um...?"

"I know. You don't usually wear them." Rosie patted his knee. "But ahhh..."

She was nervous. It made him nervous. "What?"

"You know my sister's boyfriend proposed?"

Eddie nodded. "You mentioned."

"The wedding's in June. In Nebraska. I-I figured that's closer to you than Oregon. You could probably drive down and...um...y-y-you could wear those?"

Her sister's wedding. Of course. He hadn't thought about it. "Nebraska."

"You don't even need to pay for a hotel!" She prattled. "Her fiancé's family is rich. They have a whole ranch. Bigger than my uncle's. There's a guest house, so we can -"

Eddie kissed her. If only to remind her to take a breath. "I'll go."

"Oh." Her eyes were shining. She gripped the hem of her skirt tensely. That hurt. Rosie had really been expecting him to refuse. Eddie had disappointed her so many times, she'd come to expect it. "Great. I still need to RSVP."

"To your sister's wedding?"

"Just for numbers, really."

"Well. Add a plus one."

Rosie kissed him. Properly this time. Happily. He'd keep this promise if it killed him.

They arrived late to the house. Gabrielle had gone ahead, not willing to wait for them. It turned out for the best - gave them enough time to exchange their gifts. Rosie had been struggling to find the right time to ask Eddie about the wedding. Part of her had feared it would scare him away, or he would say he couldn't go. When he accepted, and so easily, a weight lifted from her chest.

"Ready?" She put her hand in his, watching Eddie fix his shirt for the millionth time. In the face of a building full of people he didn't know, he was uncharacteristically quiet.

"Ready."

The front door was open, so they just walked in. It was more subdued than the Hallowe'en party she had dragged him to all those months ago, but she could still feel Eddie breathing down her neck as they went, his hand firmly clamped around hers.

She found Vanessa in the dining room, overseeing the layout of a large beer pong table. One of the guys bumped into Eddie as he passed, and he edged closer to Rosie while they exchanged apologies. Rosie hugged her classmate.

"Made it!"

"You diiiid! You look amazing!"

"You too!"

Vanessa was showing her fondness for white with her dress and shoes to match. The glitter pasted across her eyes was dazzling. She peered around Rosie at Eddie.

"Who's this?"

"Right. I'm so bad at introductions. Eddie, Vanessa. Vanessa - Eddie."

"This is the one you were talking about!" Her friend reached over to hug him. Rosie nudged Eddie forward. "Oh he's cute!"

"Hi."

"He's shy?"

Rosie almost burst out laughing. Eddie? Shy? Another look at him quieted her. He was busy fidgeting with the sleeves of his shirt. "...a little?"

"Sorry. I um," Eddie seemed to remember himself. "Great party?"

"Not yet." Vanessa quipped. "But it's gonna be. Do you play?"

He eyed the table with more confidence. "I'm not much of a shot, but yeah. I'll play."

"Why don't you two play together later?" She suggested. "Against Marty and me?"

"Shh-sure."

Rosie took him by the arm, this time encouraging him to stick close as she led him into the kitchen. She found beers in the fridge, and pushed one into Eddie's hands. Pouring a cup of wine for herself, she rubbed his side soothingly. "They're all nice."

"I got that, yeah." His eyes were still darting around, studying people as they wove in and out. "Just...not really my thing."

"Let me know if you want to go."

"I didn't mean that!"

"I know. But just in case. We can even step outside, if you want."

Eddie nodded, taking a big gulp. "I'll be fine after a few of these."