Joel already feels as if there's been countless right moments and he's already silently cursed himself for letting them pass by when he knows he shouldn't have. But fear is a powerful thing and even though he knows Caden has said it's clear Spencer returns his feelings, he can't quite convince himself of that.

But as he'd decided the day in the market, rejection is better than never knowing. It's better than waking up one day, ten years from now, and still feeling that pang of regret he knows will come with never having said a thing.

"This has been something of a strange week," he says after a moment. "And with my birthday party and the ball yet to come." He isn't looking forward to the party at all, knowing his mother is using it as preparation for the ball, knowing she's invited all his prospective brides.