Steve stayed at the entrance. He didn't want to intrude Rose's room too much, and he wanted to be close to the door in case he needed to leave. Quickly. With another deep breath, Steve nodded at Rose. He looked at her with an inquisitive look, and then looked out of her window. He couldn't do this staring at her.
"Right. Well - I know you didn't want this. To be engaged at 16, to me, a stranger. I won't lie, I didn't want it either. But when I finally came around to accepting that this is happening, whether we like it or not, I made a decision. I wanted this to be a real marriage. One where we actually cared about each other, and hopefully grew to love each other. It happens all the time in arranged marriages. I realize now that, well, it's not possible if you still have feelings for an ex. So, I want you to know that if you still want to be with Kevin - well, I need to know. I'll stop trying, we can grudge around and pretend we're happy like everyone else, when we're really miserable. And, if you don't... I, uh, am okay with you two being friends. EventhoughIwasajealousprat."
Steve shuffled on the spot and finally turned his head to look at Rose. "I just mean, I'm willing to try if you are. Whether that means trying to start a solid relationship, or accepting your past, or letting everything go."