Let's Be Just Friends (A New Adult College Romance)

  ***

  “I’m not sure if the fact that I find you hot while you’re dressed like a boy should scare me or not,” Ethan teased as he and Rose waltzed across the dance floor—a platform that had been set up in the middle of the Smithson’s family home garden.

  “I’m about to cut into your dilemma,” Rose said. “Do you think the style-gestapo will flay me if I let my hair loose? This chignon is killing me. And the bow tie is strangling! How do you guys wear these around your neck every day?” She started pulling some pins out of her hair.

  “Here, let me help…” Ethan pulled her to the edge of the garden and started working his fingers into her hair.

  When the last pin came loose, Rose shook her head and let her hair cascade down onto her shoulders. Ethan was already undoing the bow tie.

  “I have to stop now, or I’ll end up undressing you completely. It wouldn’t be very proper.”

  “No, it wouldn’t, especially not with your mother staring at us. She’s been watching us like a hawk all day. What’s up with her?”

  “Ah, my dear.” Ethan grinned. “I’m afraid that with my sister’s nuptials, I remain the sole Smithson sibling yet to be matched. I’m pretty sure my mother has designs on you.”

  “Aren’t two weddings in six months enough for her?”

  “Is the thought of joining yourself to me in holy matrimony so unappealing to you, Miss Atwood?”

  “What? No, I-I mean…” Rose was stuttering, her face searing red. “Are you serious?”

  “Why not?”

  His stare was like burning ice.

  “I thought you w-were against getting married.”

  “I’m against girls shopping for rings after one date; I’m not against getting married to the woman I love.”

  “Are you proposing?” Rose’s heart was beating way too fast.

  “Now, don’t go getting a big head, Miss Atwood…”

  She swatted him playfully. “Jerk.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her into a kiss.

  “I love you,” Ethan whispered. “One day, I want you to be my wife. What do you say?”

  “One day.” Rose couldn’t help but smile like an idiot. “I love you too.”

  “Now that my noble intentions are in the open, can I bring you to my room?”

  Ethan and Rose discreetly disappeared behind a bush and ran across the lawn toward the house, holding hands and laughing like a pair of kids. Never, not even in her wildest dreams, could Rose have imagined the day Tyler married another woman would end up being the happiest of her life. But life held many happy surprises in store, and running free on the grass holding the hand of the man she loved, Rose felt exactly that. The happiest she’d ever been.

  To Be Continued