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

  ***

  Rose stretched in bed, half asleep. It was Saturday morning and even if she had to study, she hadn’t set the alarm clock. Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang, cutting her morning treat short.

  Rose stared at the ceiling, confused for a few seconds. It must be the mailman delivering her latest textbook order. She reluctantly shuffled out of bed, adjusted her hair in a messy bun, and went to open the door wearing only her pale gray just-above-the-knee nightdress and a pair of socks. She had a paper to write anyway, so the delivery was as good a wake-up call as any.

  But there wasn’t a mailman waiting for her on her landing. Rather, it was Ethan, holding a tray of coffee cups and a box of donuts.

  “Trick or treat?” he asked.

  “Aren’t you supposed to wear a costume for that?” Rose said groggily, her voice still thick with sleep. She’d forgotten it was Halloween.

  “Not a morning person, huh?” Ethan said with a wicked smile.

  “Guilty.”

  “Don’t you even want to know the plea bargain first?”

  “You have donuts in one hand and coffee in the other. I’m good.” Rose smiled. “Come on in. Let me go put something on.”

  “No, please, it’s the first time I’ve seen your legs. They look too good to be covered up.”

  “Well, sorry, but I’m not comfortable being the only one in the room not wearing pants.”

  “In that case…” In a swift move, Ethan dropped everything on the kitchen table and kicked away his shoes. He was already unbuttoning his pants before Rose realized what he was doing.

  “That’s not what I meant!” she protested, covering her face with her hands. But he was already folding his pants neatly in two. Ethan laid the pants on the back of a chair on which he sat afterwards. Rose had no choice left other than to sit opposite him and try to ignore the fact that there was a half-naked, very attractive guy sitting in her kitchen.

  “So what brings you to this part of town?” Rose sipped her coffee, pleased to notice he’d remembered she loved cappuccinos.

  “Oh, I like to check on tenants I’ve helped find a place for from time to time.”

  “You mean you bring coffee and donuts to all of them?”

  “No, donuts are a special perk I reserve for you.”

  “I’m honored.” She took a bite to show her appreciation.

  “You’ve been all right, then? You have all you need?”

  Rose knew his question wasn’t a casual one, but she gave him a casual answer all the same. “I’m missing something red.”

  “Red?”

  “Yeah, I like the minimalist style, but I need a pop of color.”

  “Don’t tell me you have an artistic side! So un-lawyer-like of you. How’s everything else been?”

  “Same old. You know, I’m having fun with Constitutional Law.” Rose knew she was avoiding his questions, but she wasn’t sure what he was doing here yet. “How about you?”

  “I’ve pretty much been a lone wolf for the last month.”

  He looked a bit like a wolf—one with piercing blue eyes.

  “Not on my account, I hope?” Rose hid her face behind her coffee cup.

  “To be honest, Miss Atwood, it has been on your account.”

  Rose smiled. She really liked when he acted the gentleman. “You want more coffee?”

  “Sure.”

  She moved into the kitchen and Ethan sprawled out on the couch. Rose had almost forgotten he was pants-less. Watching Ethan Smithson wander around her living room in boxer shorts was weird and thrilling at the same time.

  “Just coffee, or do you want a cappuccino?” she asked from behind the kitchen island.

  “You make cappuccinos at home?”

  “Yeah, I have a frothing machine.”

  “Then a cappuccino.”

  Rose brought two huge mugs to the couch and sat opposite Ethan, draping her calves on his lap. For a horrible moment, Rose feared she’d forgotten to shave her legs, before remembering she’d done it last night. Phew.

  “Is this what your typical Saturday morning looks like?”

  “Nah, I’m usually caught up in boring stuff like accounting or supervising some remodeling project. Running a company is a 24/7 job. And being a grownup isn’t fun.”

  “I wouldn’t know about that. I’m still in grad-school limbo. And I have at least another year before I have to grow up.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “So what were you like as a kid, before you went over to the grownups side?”

  “I was a little terror…”

  Rose chuckled. “I can imagine that.”

  “I drove my mom and sisters crazy, but they adored me all the same.”

  “Sisters, plural?”

  “Yeah, Georgiana is the youngest. Victoria—Vicky—is the middle kid, and I’m the oldest.”

  “I didn’t know you had another sister. Georgiana never mentioned her, and she wasn’t at her birthday.”

  “That’s weird because they’re tight as hell. I’m sure Vicky didn’t make it to Gigi’s party because she was stuck in an office with a big case to work on. Ever since I quit the practice, Vicky’s career has been my father’s consolation. She puts eighty to ninety hours a week into the family business, and she’s even engaged to another pedigreed lawyer. They’re getting married next year, and I’m sure they’ll breed another generation of perfect little lawyers. She’s a daughterly dream come true. Despite that, I love her. Vick manages to remain human even after going over to the Dark Side.”

  “You really can’t stand lawyers. Should I remind you I’m going to be one pretty soon?”

  “I won’t hold it against you, I promise.”

  “So you never liked law?”

  Ethan shrugged. “In school, I didn’t mind it per se. It was more the fact of not having a choice that didn’t sit well with me. To do it just because I was supposed to, expected to. And yes, I hated staying all those hours in the office, but running a company isn’t that different. I have to be on the job just as much, but since it’s my choice, I’m happy about it. Does that make any sense?”

  “It makes a lot of sense.”

  “And being a lawyer still has its perks. I don’t need anyone to draft my contracts, which saves me a lot of money. What about you? Have you always wanted to be a lawyer?”

  “Yeah, my dad passed it on to me. He wanted to be a lawyer, but couldn’t.”

  “Couldn’t?”

  “My grandparents both died in a car accident right after he graduated from college. He’d already been accepted to Harvard Law, but couldn’t go. His brother and sister were still young—my uncle, Adam, was in high school and Aunt Debra was even younger. My dad had to go back home to take care of them.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you, but it’s okay. It was a long time ago. Anyway, when my dad moved back to Dallas, he took over the family business and provided for his brother and sister. He was already engaged to my mom, so dad became their stepfather and mom their stepmother, sort of. By the time my aunt and uncle were old enough to take care of themselves, I was already three and the company was doing well. With a daughter and a wife to care for, my dad didn’t want to leave a secure position to follow his dream, but he kept studying on his own. He’d discuss cases and sentences with me when I became old enough. We always watched crime shows together, judging the cases they presented. And we loved playing court or just discussing this or that sentence.”

  “No dolls and fairy tales for you?”

  Rose chuckled. “No, only vicious crimes. Anyway, Dad was so passionate about it that he passed on his love of the law to me, and I absorbed it like a sponge. It’s what I wrote in my admission paper to Harvard Law; in fact, I think it was one of the main reasons I was accepted into the program. So yeah, I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer.”

  “I should introduce you to my dad. He’d probably want to adopt you right away,” Ethan commented with a dashing smile.

  He really
is a terror, Rose thought. A dangerously attractive one. She tried to speak evenly when she asked her next question, the one she’d been burning to ask since he’d arrived. “So you’ve gone solitary just for me, huh? May I ask why?”

  “You’ve piqued my interest, Miss Atwood.”

  “How so?”

  “For one, you look adorable with a foam mustache.” Ethan leaned in to wipe it away with his thumb. Uh-oh, too close, she thought. And then he was kissing her.

  Rose let herself melt into the kiss, even knowing she shouldn’t trust Ethan. She’d done some asking around in Georgiana’s inner circle of friends, and they’d all confirmed he was a big player. But even against her better judgment, she felt secure in his arms. So she let him drop their mugs on her coffee table, and she let herself go without thinking, without being in control… and it felt even better.

  Seventeen

  Ethan

  “You look worried,” Ethan said, watching Rose dress herself self-consciously hiding behind the couch. He couldn’t help thinking she was even more adorable when she frowned.

  “I was just wondering if you were going to give me the speech now.”

  “Meaning?”

  Ethan snatched his pants, pulled them on, and started buttoning up his shirt.

  “I ran a background check on you, Mr. Smithson,” Rose said. “You have quite a reputation.”

  “Ah, Miss Atwood, you don’t do me justice.” He flashed Rose his most dashing grin. “What falsehoods have you heard?”

  “That you pretty much run away from relationships the minute they become serious.”

  Ethan’s smile evaporated. “I don’t like to waste anyone’s time.”

  “Is that so?” Rose’s face darkened.

  Ethan sat at the kitchen table, undecided on what to say. True, he hadn’t had a serious relationship in forever, not since… Sabrina. In part, because he had yet to meet someone who really interested him. In part, it had been his fault. Ethan had bolted from a number of relationships because they were becoming too serious, just like Rose said. It had been too soon after Sabrina. But now? Was he finally ready to move on? Could he open up with Rose? Bare his heart to her? He’d never told anyone about what had really happened with Sabrina. The official version for everyone—relatives, including Ethan’s parents, and friends—had been cold feet. And even if Ethan’s mom suspected the truth, only his sisters knew the story firsthand.

  Rose followed him into the kitchen and braced her hands on the back of a chair. “Come on,” she prompted. “I don’t judge. Plus, you’re obliged to tell me.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because I’ve already confessed my darkest secrets to you. And if you tell me about those closet skeletons, I’ll feed you.”

  “Feed me what?” Ethan said.

  Rose opened a cupboard and studied its insides. “How does boxed mac and cheese sound?”

  “Perfect.” Despite himself, Ethan smiled again. Rose was so un-domestic it was endearing. “If you throw in a beer, we have a deal.”

  Rose put the mac and cheese on the stove to cook and sat in front of him, placing two bottles of Coors Light on the table. No glasses—Ethan liked her style. He liked it even more when she laid the head of the bottle on the edge of the table and punched the cap loose.

  Ethan chuckled. “That’s a handy skill.”

  “Dorm-earned skills,” Rose joked.

  “I don’t want to know.” Ethan really didn’t; thinking of Rose in a college dorm made him jealous. He was already becoming territorial and didn’t like just how much.

  Rose smiled, passed him the opened bottle, and repeated the procedure with the other. Once done, she lifted the second bottle in a “cheers” gesture, and said, “Mr. Smithson, you owe me a story.”

  “Would you rather have the short or long version?”

  Rose studied him, took a sip of beer, and said, “Short, please.”

  “Her name was Sabrina, and we were engaged. Not a distant future thing, we had the whole marriage shenanigans going. Booked venue, sent invitations, she had a dress…” Ethan winced at the memory. “Anyway, one sorry evening three months before the wedding, I came home early and found her in bed with the best man. Bit cliché, I know.” Ethan hid his pain behind sarcasm. “Now they’re married. They moved to New York about two years ago.”

  “I’m sorry,” Rose whispered.

  “No need to be. It was a long time ago. But now it takes me a little longer to commit to anything or anyone. When a girl starts talking rings after three dates, I tell her I’m not marriage material and we usually part ways.”

  “That’s so cynical.”

  “More fair.”

  “So where does this leave us?”

  “Not sure what you’re asking.” Ethan shrugged. “Where do you want it to leave us?”

  “Here’s what I think.” Rose scrunched her face, trying to order her thoughts. “I’m tired of investing in relationships and people who walk out on me. I’m not saying we should define anything today. I only want to know that if we start going out, and if things get serious, you won’t bolt just because. Do you think you can keep an open mind?”

  “I think your mac and cheese is burning.”

  Rose threw herself at the pot to salvage whatever was left of the pasta. Not much from the smell of it.

  “It’s ruined.” She sighed, turning towards him.

  Ethan stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist. “How about I take you out to lunch?”

  Rose tilted her face upward and her beautiful dark eyes met his. “And where would you take me?”

  Her question had nothing to do with food. Neither did his answer. “You can trust me.”

  Four Months Later

  Eighteen

  Tyler

  Tyler was nervous, edgy as he walked up the steps of Rose’s new building. He hadn’t called her to tell her he’d stop by—heck, she probably didn’t even know he was back from France. He’d deliberately chosen not to give her warning. What if Rose refused to see him? Tyler couldn’t wait a minute longer. One night home without her had been enough.

  When his plane landed, he had to use all his self-control not to go to Rose in the middle of the night the moment he set foot in the US. Instead, Tyler had settled for leaving home super early the next morning. As he reached the building entrance, a chill wind blew on him from behind, the air even crisper than usual for January in Boston.

  Tyler warmed his clenched fists by puffing hot air into them and opened the heavy door. He searched the hall for the elevators. Rose should be on the second floor, apartment 2B. His heart wouldn’t stop beating hard in his chest. Six months away from Rose had seemed to last forever—he didn’t want to spend a minute longer away from her, and today he’d tell her. Tyler would fix things between them.

  After reading the move-out email two months after Rose sent it, Tyler had panicked. Rose was leaving him. He’d almost jumped on the first plane for Boston to tell her to stop punishing him and come back home. Given the way she’d chosen to say goodbye to him, Tyler knew Rose wanted him as much as he wanted her. That last night together had been the only thing keeping him sane during all these months apart. Still, he’d decided to let her cool down while he was away. Once he got back, he was certain he could charm her into forgiving him.

  Now the moment had finally arrived.

  More than receiving Rose’s forgiveness, Tyler simply wanted to be with her. No one, not one girl, had ever made him feel anything close to the passion he had for Rose. She was his best, and oldest friend; Rose was kind, smart, and smoking hot. All his fears of a serious commitment, however important they’d felt before, seemed irrelevant now. Rose mattered more. Being away from her had made Tyler realize just how much he needed her, how lost he was without her. So much wasted time.

  Tyler pursed his lips. Yesterday had been the last lost day. Today he’d tell her he was in love with her, and everything would be fine.

  He took a deep
breath and rang Rose’s doorbell. Quick, excited steps preceded the door opening.

  “You’re early,” Rose said with a big smile. Then her eyes met his, and the smile disappeared, replaced by shock. A gasp escaped her. “Tyler.”

  “Surprise,” he said uncertainly. Rose’s dark eyes were different: they held a coldness Tyler wasn’t used to. Well, he deserved it. He’d pulled a number on her, but he was sure he could make her forgive him. Especially with what he’d come to say. “Expecting someone else?”

  “I didn’t expect to find you on my doorstep,” Rose said noncommittally. “Come on in. When did you get back?” She was still awkward, guarded.

  “Last night.”

  “How was Paris? I was making coffee, you want some?”

  Rose was nervous; she always busied her hands with something when she needed to calm.

  “Coffee would be great, thanks,” Tyler said. “Nice new place.”

  “Yeah, I was really lucky to find it.” Rose avoided meeting his gaze as she spoke.

  “I’ve brought you a housewarming gift and some upscale chocolate.” Tyler handed her a gift-wrapped package and a Fauchon tin box.

  “Fauchon, wow. Fancy.” Rose set down the chocolate and unwrapped her present. “Thank you,” she said, beaming. Her fond tone told Tyler he’d scored a point. “I’ve been looking for something red since I moved in,” she added, still smiling as she admired the bright lacquered apple he’d bought in a Parisian design shop. “This house needed a splash of color.”

  Rose studied some options and finally positioned the apple in a corner of the kitchen island where it’d be visible from both the kitchen and living room.

  “Wow, it looks perfect.” Rose stared at him with a renewed light in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  This was his moment.

  “Listen, Rose, I’m sorry.” Tyler took her hands into his. “I’ve been an idiot and messed up badly. But everything happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly. I didn’t know what to do, then there was France, and there wasn’t much I could’ve done about that. Rose, I’m sorry. I’ve been a jerk, and you didn’t deserve it. Can you forgive me?”

  “Tyler, I forgave you a long time ago.” Rose shook her head, sighing. “We made a mess. I wasn’t such a straight arrow either, but that is all gone now. We’re fine.”

  Tyler couldn’t believe his luck. The reconciliation had been even easier than he’d expected. “I couldn’t wait to see you, to say how sorry I am.”

  “Come on, cheer up. We’re fine.”

  “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “It’s okay now.”

  Rose leaned in for a hug, and Tyler shifted sideways to kiss her.

  “Whoa!” Rose pushed him back, planting both of her hands on his chest. “I said we’re fine, not ‘let’s make out.’”

  “If we’re fine, why can’t we make out?” Tyler asked, leaning in again.

  Rose wiggled away, putting space—and the kitchen island—between them. “You just said you were sorry, and the minute I say it’s okay, you try to jump me?”

  “What’s wrong with jumping you? I want to be with you, Rose.” Tyler tried to come around to her side of the island, but she made a stay-there gesture. Okay, he deserved some grief. But now he needed to make her see how much he cared about her. “These months away from you have been a nightmare. I was stupid before and scared about getting serious with you, but I had time to think, a lot of time, and I’m sure now. We can make it work. Please give me another chance.”

  “Tyler, no. We both know it won’t work. We’re great as friends, and that’s it. Look at the mess we made last time. Let’s be just friends. Please. I want my best friend back.”

  “And I’m here. But I want more. So what if it was messy last time? I’ve said I’m sorry. Why can’t we try again?”

  “Listen, Tyler.” Rose braced her hands on the countertop. “I’m not saying it was all your fault because it wasn’t. The mess was as much me as it was you. But now we’ve had enough time to cool off and we can go back to how things were before, like it never happened.”

  “But I can’t pretend, and I don’t want to. Rose, I’ve spent the last six months thinking about you, and only you. I don’t want to be friends with you. I want everything—the whole package. I’ve never felt like this about anyone else.”

  “That’s because you’re my best friend, and we’ve known each other forever. Tyler, listen, please. We can’t be anything more than friends, we just can’t. It’d never work.”

  “I’d make it work. I can’t go back…” Tyler paused. “Rose, I love you. I’m in love with you.”

  Nineteen

  Rose

  Rose stared at Tyler, shell-shocked. She’d dreamt of hearing those exact words for over a decade now. Tyler, in love with her. A dream come true. Only reality didn’t feel as right as the dreams. Thinking about it, she hadn’t daydreamed about being with Tyler for some time, her heart had been somewhere else. A flash of blue eyes invaded her mind. Ethan’s eyes. Georgiana’s eyes. Rose sobered up at once.

  “How did Georgiana take the news?” Rose asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Georgiana?” Tyler seemed dumbfounded. “What does Georgiana have to do with any of this?”

  “I’m just curious. After all the strings she pulled to organize your romantic gateway in France, she must’ve been pretty stone-faced when you dumped her.”

  Tyler stared back at her in confusion.

  “You did dump her, didn’t you?” Rose pressed.

  The dark shadow that passed over his face was enough of an answer.

  “This is exactly why it’ll never work,” Rose said, turning away.

  “Rose, if this is about Georgiana, don’t worry. I can break up with her in a second.”

  “So why haven’t you already?”

  “Rose, it would’ve been awkward. We were in Paris, living in the same house—”

  “And did you sleep with her while you were in Paris, living in the same house?”

  Again, she could read the answer on his face.

  “It didn’t m—”

  “Don’t say it didn’t mean anything.”

  Tyler stood silent, petrified in the middle of the living room.

  “But Rose, I didn’t cheat on you. It’s not like we were together. If you give me a chance, I would—”

  “It doesn’t matter if we were together or not, don’t you see?” Rose could hardly keep it together. Tyler’s declaration of love had thrown her off, and now he was making her so angry. Rose didn’t like how worked up she was getting. “You say you’re in love with me. You say you’ve spent six months thinking about me nonstop. But that didn’t stop you from sleeping with your girlfriend, and that’s the problem.”

  “But we weren’t together,” Tyler protested.

  “It’s irrelevant. Love should be enough for you not to want to fool around with whoever else is available.” Rose’s voice trembled. “You shouldn’t want to sleep with other people if you’re in love with me. Period.”

  “You’re not being fair. Why can’t you give me another chance?”

  “Because if you blew it, then we’d be over for good, and I don’t want that. Plus…” Rose hesitated just for a moment. “I’m kind of seeing someone else.”

  “Who?” Tyler was suddenly cold.

  “Ethan.”

  The name took a moment to register, and Rose witnessed the shock in Tyler’s eyes when it did.

  “Georgiana’s brother?” Tyler hissed. “Are you kidding me? He’s a bigger player than I am.”

  “He’s not, at least not with me.”

  Tyler snorted. “Why does he get a chance and I don’t?” His tone was bitter.

  “Because if I break up with him, it’s just that: a breakup. If we broke up, I’d lose my best friend too, and I don’t want that to happen. Ever.”

  “It’s not fair.” Tyler pouted. “I would never hurt you, Rose, you have to believe that.”

  “
Tyler.” Rose moved closer to him. “I do. I know you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. And I know you think you can behave, but the fact remains… you probably wouldn’t. There’s too much at stake, and I care about you too much. Tyler, if you cheated on me, I would never recover from that. Never. And I’m not willing to take that risk. Plus, I’m happy with Ethan. Really happy.”

  At that, Tyler moved away and started pacing around the living room like a caged lion. “Bullshit, Rose. You care about me too much! If I tell you I can do something, it means I can. It’s all about that dude, isn’t it? Georgiana’s brother was all over you from the moment he set eyes on you.” Tyler sagged on the couch like an empty sack. “Do you love him?”

  The question made Rose’s legs unsteady. Did she love Ethan? She wasn’t sure, but if it wasn’t love, her emotions were something close enough. Rose sat next to Tyler, staring hypnotized at his legs twitching up and down. “Tyler… I honestly don’t know.”

  He looked at her with sadness in his eyes. “I always thought we’d end up together at some point. I never thought I’d blow it so big time, or that I’d be too late.”

  Rose didn’t know what to say to that. She’d felt the same for a long time. Even when she was with Marcus, somehow she’d sensed the relationship wouldn’t last forever. But something had changed between her and Tyler. Rose had had a taste of what her love life with him could turn into. The paranoia, the jealousy, the second-guessing. She hadn’t liked it, and it had made her not like Tyler that much either. Rose didn’t want to not like Tyler; she loved him too much. But Rose didn’t know if she was in love with him anymore, or if she’d ever been truly.

  A long silence lingered between them.

  Tyler spoke first. “Am I?”

  “What?”

  “Too late?”

  Rose closed her eyes to search within herself and decide where she stood. She’d imagined Tyler saying all the things he’d just said to her a million times before. But in all her fantasies she’d been elated, giddy, out-of-this-world happy, and never… empty.

  “Tyler, it wasn’t meant to be between us. Not romantically. Even if I was willing to risk our friendship and give it a shot—which I’m not—the truth is I don’t want to. I’m with Ethan, and I want to be with him. Can we go back to being just friends?” As she asked the question, she felt a bit hypocritical. If she had to be honest, they’d never been just friends. There’d always been something deeper between them—a deeper bond that the sex had ruined. She hoped with all her heart they could find a way back to each other, but she was no longer sure it was possible.

  Tyler stood up from the couch without saying a word. He moved toward the door, opened it, and paused, his back to her. After a few seconds, Tyler stepped outside, slamming the door behind him, not once turning around.

  Twenty

  Ethan

  Ethan drummed his fingers on the leather wheel of his black Mercedes as he waited for the light to turn green. Another red light, and Ethan swore he’d speed through it. The drive through town toward Rose’s apartment was taking ages. Georgiana had just called him to say she was back, that she’d left France two weeks early to be with Vicky, and help her with her final wedding preparations. As happy as Ethan was to have Gigi back home, he was more scared of the three-hundred pound gorilla she’d brought along—Tyler Bronfman.

  Boston felt too small for the two of them, and Ethan didn’t like the idea of Tyler anywhere near Rose. After four months with her, Ethan was in a good place. But now the d-bag was back and Tyler and Rose would see each other every day at school, and possibly outside of it, too.

  The notion irked Ethan in a way he wasn’t prepared to handle. He’d known he was in trouble the night he and Rose met. Rose stirred something in him; she held a power over him that not even Sabrina had had. Ethan wasn’t the jealous type, but with Rose, he’d become possessive in a way he was ready to admit wasn’t normal. And Tyler’s return spiked this urge to new heights.

  Finally, Ethan parked outside Rose’s building and jogged inside, not stopping until he was standing in front of her door. When Rose answered, she had puffy eyes.

  “Have you been crying?” Ethan asked, entering the apartment. “What happened?”

  At once, he noticed a vivid red apple on the kitchen island. He didn’t like the new addition. The thing was too red, too in-your-face, offensive almost. Ethan liked it even less than Rose’s miserable expression, although he wasn’t sure why. Not until he noticed the Fauchon chocolate box next to the apple.

  “Nothing, I’m okay,” Rose said.

  “Found your red thingy?” Ethan asked, aware of the edge in his voice.

  “Mmm, yeah, it’s a present,” Rose replied warily.

  “From Paris?”

  Rose nodded.

  “How did Tyler know you were looking for something red?” Ethan asked between gritted teeth. “I thought you two weren’t talking.”

  “We weren’t, but Tyler knows me.”

  That was an even worse explanation, and Ethan lashed out. “Not twenty-four hours in the country and he’s already been here? What did he want?”

  “Ethan, please don’t get jealous. I’ve had a bad enough morning already.”

  “Why? What happened?” Ethan’s hands curled into fists and his knuckles went white. But he was mostly able to stay in control, and he resisted the desire to punch the wall as he listened to Rose’s tale.

  Rose

  Ethan didn’t look good. Rose had wanted to tell him everything, but looking at the cold fury mounting on her boyfriend’s face right now, she wasn’t sure she’d made the right choice. His jaw was set tight and twitching, while his hands were turned into fists, clenched so hard the knuckles were turning stark white.

  “So let me get this straight,” Ethan hissed. “The only reason you’re not with Tyler is because you’re too scared he’d break your heart. Otherwise, you would’ve already run off into the sunset together.”

  “Ethan, that’s not what I said.” Panic flared in Rose’s chest.

  “I must’ve gone deaf, then, because that’s exactly what I heard.”

  Ethan and Rose glared at each other from opposite sides of the room, neither able to talk. Both were panting as if they’d just run a marathon.

  “Ethan, please.” Rose broke first. “Can you calm down? I don’t want to argue with you. I’m just trying to be honest. Can we talk about it without shouting or getting mad?”

  Rose watched him struggle to keep cool—Ethan was clearly beyond mad at this point. He flared his nostrils, paced around the room a couple of times, and finally settled on a stool at the kitchen bar. Rose was actually surprised by how quickly he’d calmed down—for the first time, she appreciated what it meant to be with someone older, more mature. Ethan might be mad, but he wasn’t out of control.

  “I’m listening,” he said. “But I hate the power Tyler still has over you.”

  “Ethan, it’s impossible not to be affected. If Sabrina walked through that door right now, you’d be upset even if you haven’t seen her in five years. We’re humans, not robots.”

  “I’m not in love with Sabrina,” Ethan said pointedly.

  “And I’m not in love with Tyler.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Listen, I care about him, and I always will. But no, I’m not in love with Tyler. I’m not sure I ever was.”

  Ethan’s shoulders relaxed.

  “The nerve of that dude,” he grumbled. “He still hasn’t broken up with my sister, and he came here to get all over you. Makes me want to punch him.”

  “Please don’t. I’m happy with you, and I don’t need anyone else. But Tyler is still a big part of my life.”

  Ethan shrugged, annoyed.

  “I know you don’t like our friendship,” Rose pressed, “but can you accept it?”

  Ethan was silent for a few tension-charged minutes making Rose wonder what was going on inside his head. Finally, he looked up and pinned her with a hard sta
re.

  “Talk to me,” Rose whispered.

  “I’ve been in this situation before.” Ethan shook his head. “With Sabrina, I’d noticed one stare too many between her and Max, but I didn’t trust my instincts. I couldn’t believe what was right before my eyes. I didn’t want to. And I ended up being made the fool. I won’t make the same mistake twice.

  “Rose, I trust you, so I’ll ask you one last time: Are you sure Tyler is just a friend to you? After everything that happened? And please, be honest. I couldn’t stand walking in on you and him together. So if you’re not one hundred percent sure, if you need time to think things through, just say so. I’d much rather we end things now, clean. If you say there’s nothing between you two, you have to mean it.”

  Ethan’s speech was so full of passion it made Rose’s tingle all over. Her body practically sang with warmth.

  “Ethan, I do mean it,” she said. Rose closed the distance between them and cupped his face in her hands. She didn’t need to think about it, she was sure. “I want to be with you. Only you.” Rose leaned in and kissed him.

  He tugged her into a bone-crushing hug that told Rose how scared he’d been over possibly losing her. She smiled.

  “I prefer you when you smile,” Ethan said.

  “I prefer you when you’re kissing me.”

  “Ah, Miss Atwood, I must oblige you then.” He kissed her again. And after breaking the kiss, he added, “What do you say we make it official?”

  “How?”

  “My sister, Vicky, is getting married in two months. She’s been pestering me to know if I’m going alone or with a date. Would you like to be my plus one?”

  “Whoa! And meet the entire Smithson clan, are you sure?”

  “As I’ll ever be. I promise they don’t bite.”

  Rose hesitated, and Ethan stiffened in her arms.

  “I mean, if you don’t want to, I completely understand. You don’t have to come. I can go alone.”

  “No, I want to… but…”

  Ethan raised his brows.

  “Will Georgiana be okay with me coming? I mean, I don’t want to create an awkward situation at your sister’s wedding. Everyone in your family should be relaxed and able to enjoy the day, Georgiana included. If she still hates me…”

  “As long as she’s with Tyler, I don’t see why she should have a problem.”

  “You think Georgiana will go with Tyler?”

  “She already told Vicky she would.”

  “And don’t you think that’s going to be even more awkward?”

  “To be honest, I don’t care. Georgiana is my sister, and you are you. If we stay together, you girls will have to learn how to talk to each other while keeping your claws sheathed. And I want you to meet my family.”

  “I don’t have claws,” Rose protested.

  “You sure?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “So you’re coming?”

  “I guess so. I mean, it’s only a day. How bad can it be?”

  “Oh. I should’ve said the wedding is on Martha’s Vineyard… for the entire spring break.”

  “You bastard.”

  “I’m sure you can survive.”

  “Isn’t the middle of March too early to go to Martha’s Vineyard?”

  “What can I say, my family is weird. And Vicky loves the island at the end of winter.”

  “How can a wedding last for a week?”

  “I’ve no idea.” Ethan tucked her in closer to him, and Rose felt reassured that with him by her side, she could endure an entire week of Georgiana. And maybe after France, Georgiana didn’t hate her so much. Rose could only hope.

  Twenty-one

  Georgiana

  Georgiana pulled on a hairband to keep her hair out of her face. “Can I use your concealer?” she asked Vicky.

  They were doing their makeup in Vicky’s hotel room on Martha’s Vineyard. The same way they used to when they were younger and both lived with their parents. A giant mirror lined the upper half of a wall with a cozy shelf underneath that now resembled a beauty booth. Downlights in the ceiling completed the setup, making it better than a professional dressing room.

  “Use this one,” Vicky said, passing her a stick with a built-in brush. “It’s the best.”

  Georgiana and her sister shared the same pale complexion, dark hair, and sparkly blue eyes. Same as Ethan, same as their father when he was younger, before stress and age turned his hair to white.

  Georgiana flicked the brush all around her eyes and while she waited for her skin to absorb the liquid concealer, she turned in her chair to look at Vicky.

  “What do you think of the stray?” she asked.

  On their second night on the island, after a day of studying Rose and Tyler interact, Georgiana wanted a second opinion.

  “Come on, Gigi,” Victoria said. “Rose isn’t a stray. She seems perfectly nice to me.”

  “She’s a sneaky little ho. I can’t believe Ethan brought her here, and that he dumped Alice for that bitch.”

  “Who’s Alice?”

  “One of my best friends and my sorority little sister,” Georgiana explained. “You met at Christmas, the year before last. Madison’s friend who came to the house?”

  “Yeah, I remember her.”

  “Anyway, Alice was dating Ethan when Rose stole him. That’s what she does.”

  “I don’t know. What if Ethan was over your friend? After Sabrina, he’s gone through so many girlfriends.”

  “Exactly. So why stick to the stray? He must be out of his mind.”

  “He seems a little out of his mind,” Victoria agreed. “But in a Sabrina-out-of-his-mind way.”

  Georgiana lowered the sponge she was using to apply foundation and threw her sister an evil glare through the mirror. “You think he’s in love with her?”

  “Gigi, you’re blind if you haven’t noticed.”

  “I hoped he wouldn’t be so stupid.”

  “Why? I haven’t seen Ethan this cheerful in years. You should be happy for him.”

  “I would be if it was anyone but her.”

  “Didn’t you ask him to go out with her a while ago?”

  “Yeah, but only because he usually chews girls up and spits them out in the blink of an eye. I never thought he’d be so dumb as to actually fall for her. And that was before he was dating Alice, anyway.”

  Before her sister could reply, there was a knock at the door. Only one eye done, Vicky closed the mascara stick she was using and went to answer.

  “Hi,” Madison, their younger cousin, said.

  “What are you doing here?” Georgiana asked.

  “I invited her.” Vicky gave her a pointed, be-good stare in the mirror.

  Madison blushed. “If you were talking, I can come back later.”

  Geez. Her cousin was such a pushover Georgiana almost didn’t enjoy teasing her. It was too easy.

  “Actually, yeah,” Georgiana said. “We were having a private conversation. So if you don’t mind…” She made a shoo gesture.

  Madison was already turning toward the door when Vicky stopped her. “Don’t be silly, Madison.” Victoria took Madison’s hand and made her sit in front of the giant mirror. “We were only discussing Ethan’s new girlfriend.”

  “Rose? She seems really nice.”

  “Of course you’d think that,” Georgiana snapped.

  Madison blushed again and lowered her gaze. While their cousin wasn’t watching, Vicky slapped the back of Georgiana’s head and mouthed, “Stop it,” in the mirror. Aloud, she added, “I like her too.”

  Madison lifted her head and gave a weak smile. “I preferred Alice, though.”

  Vicky’s eyes widened, making the lack of mascara in one even more obvious. “What’s so special about this Alice?” she asked Madison.

  “She’s my roommate and best friend,” Madison confirmed. “It would’ve been super cool if she’d joined the family. Anyway, she has a new boyfriend now, so all's well that ends well…”


  Georgiana rolled her eyes. “Quoting Shakespeare, Madison? Seriously?” She wondered how Alice could live with her cousin without shooting herself in the head. Madison was so boring. “Here.” Georgiana passed Madison the liquid concealer. “Start with those awful circles under your eyes. You spend too much time locked inside, reading poems.”

  Madison made a grimace in the mirror but did as she was told.

  Georgiana finished smudging eye shadow on her lids before she said, “Anyway, you’re both wrong. Rose is a horrible person.”

  Vicky sighed, exasperated. “What is it you have against her?”

  “For one, as soon as her ex dumped her, she was all over Tyler. Even though he was with me, she moved into his house right away and who knows what else she tried to do.”

  “Rose and Tyler seem pretty cold towards each other,” Vicky said, finally applying a thick coat of mascara on the missing lashes.

  “That’s true,” Madison said. “They barely spoke last night at dinner.”

  “Which only proves my point,” Georgiana continued. “Why did they argue? Probably because he’s with me and not with her.”

  “I don’t know.” Vicky shook her head. “To be honest, I don’t like the way Tyler glowers at our brother every time they cross paths.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Just be careful,” Victoria said. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “So you think the stray is still after Tyler?”

  “Enough.” Vicky banged a hand on the shelf, making the makeup items bounce. “Stop calling her that. Or, at least, don’t let Ethan catch you.”

  “All right, I’ll call her by her full name then, Rosalynn.” Georgiana smirked. “How quaint.”

  Vicky rolled her eyes. “Anyway, to answer your question: no. From the way she looks at our brother, she’s not after Tyler. Are you sure it’s not Tyler who’s after her?”

  Georgiana positively glowered at Vicky and noticed Madison shrink in her chair.

  “Excuse me,” Georgiana hissed. “You’re talking about my boyfriend. Tyler wouldn’t be with me if he was into her. We’re perfect for each other, and who knows? Maybe in a year’s time, it will be me getting ready for my rehearsal dinner.”

  Or sooner, if her new plan worked. France had not been the success she’d hoped for. They had had a lovely time in Paris, with no arguments or troubles. But their relationship lately could be summed up as lukewarm. Tyler was slipping away from her. And even if she’d never admit it aloud, she suspected Tyler still wasn’t out of reach from Rose’s claws. So, at least for now, she tolerated Ethan’s relationship with her, as it provided a sort of safeguard. But with a bit of luck, soon there’d be no doubts about whom Tyler belonged to. And Georgiana was confident Ethan would grow tired of Rose sooner or later. She couldn’t wait for the time she’d be rid of the stray for good.

  Twenty-two

  Rose

  Rose shuffled around the dining hall of the hotel, hating that Ethan was not by her side for this social apéritif. But her boyfriend had a lot of friends on the island who he hadn’t seen in months, and Rose couldn’t demand he babysit her every second of the week. Still, she found it hard to socialize with so many unknown people. Not to mention she was on edge trying to avoid both Tyler and Georgiana. The wedding party was a certified minefield.

  On cue, Tyler walked into the room, and Rose navigated the other guests to disappear into the adjoining hall. Too busy with her escape to pay attention to other people, Rose bumped into someone.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said.

  “Please don’t be. You must be the famous Rose,” a distinguished man with trimmed white hair said. “I’m Ethan’s father, Bradley Smithson. Nice to meet you.”

  “Rosalynn Atwood. Very pleased to meet you, sir.”

  “The pleasure is all mine. It isn’t often that our boy brings home a girl. Ethan tells me you’re in your second year at Harvard Law. Have you already decided what branch of the law you want to follow?”

  “I’d like to work in litigation in the area of criminal law, sir.”

  “Oh, interesting.” Mr. Smithson chuckled. “I have a soft spot for criminal law myself. Many interesting cases. In fact, a couple of years ago we had this case on our hands…”

  Mr. Smithson started outlining the grounds of the case, and Rose listened attentively. Was he putting her to the test? He must be. Why else would he discuss legal matters with her five seconds after introducing himself? Ethan’s dad finished his speech and stared expectantly. “What’s your legal opinion?” he asked.

  Yes, definitely a test.

  Rose collected her thoughts. In the particular case he’d outlined, textbook solutions would only get the defendant into deeper trouble, which was probably why he’d selected it. So what would a shrewd lawyer do? Was there a way out? Some aspect was escaping her. She concentrated, trying to get a firmer grasp on the solution. After closing her eyes for a second, inspiration hit. Jurisdiction! It was a jurisdiction issue. The crime had been committed on a federal enclave and it did not fall within the jurisdiction of the state where it was being tried. Her dad had told her about a similar case ages ago.

  Rose smiled and offered her response.

  Mr. Smithson smiled back, a new respect twinkling in his eyes. “Do they teach that to second year students these days?”

  “No, I don’t think so. But my dad has always been passionate about the law. As a child, he read me supreme court sentences instead of fairy tales.”

  “Hi Dad,” Ethan said, coming up from behind them. He stepped up next to Rose and slid an arm around her waist in a protective gesture.

  “Son,” Mr. Smithson said, acknowledging Ethan with a nod. Then he returned his focus to Rose. “Your father is a lawyer? I’m not aware of any Atwood law firms in the Boston area.”

  “Oh, no. He couldn’t pursue a career. When my grandparents died in a car accident, he’d barely finished college before he had to go back to Dallas to take care of his younger brother and sister.”

  “Dallas? What does your father do back in Texas?”

  “He’s in real estate.”

  Ethan tightened his grip on her waist, he clearly tensed at the mention of his profession in front of his father, even if they were discussing her dad’s work and not Ethan’s.

  “Atwood, Atwood,” Mr. Smithson repeated. “Are you by any chance related to David Atwood?”

  “Yes… he’s my dad,” Rose replied, embarrassed.

  Mr. Smithson’s eyes bulged for a brief second before he caught himself.

  “Well, I’ll let you young kids enjoy the party,” he said. “It was a real pleasure meeting you, Rose.” He smiled fleetingly, then turned on his heel and was gone.

  Ethan

  Ethan followed the exchange between Rose and his father with unease. Since he’d started his own business, his relationship with his dad had been hard, to put it nicely. To say his dad could barely stand to look at him would be more accurate. Smithson and Smithson was the number one law firm in Boston. And for one of “the heirs” to abandon it was a slight too serious for his father to ever forgive.

  Ethan wouldn’t have put it past him to make a sour remark to Rose, making her uncomfortable just to get at him. Even if, so far, they seemed to get along well. Yet when Rose mentioned her father was in real estate, Ethan was ready to go on the offensive if his dad dared say something insulting about that particular line of work.

  Instead, his dad had stunned him by recognizing Rose’s father by name and winking at him just before he’d left. Bradley Smithson—winking! Dad had shown no comradeship toward him since, well, since he’d abandoned the law. What was up with him? Ethan looked at Rose, perplexed, and was even more confused when he found her blushing tomato red.

  “What was that about?” he asked.

  “Not now.” She looked mortified. “I’ll explain later.”

  “Rose, is something wrong? Did my dad say something to you?”

  “No
, Ethan.” Rose shook her head. “Your dad was perfectly nice.”

  “What then? Why did my dad know your father by name?”

  “Can we do this later? I need a drink.” She skipped forward, away from him and toward the bar.

  Ethan followed, curiosity building. He wasn’t going to let this go. He’d ask her later, in private, when he had better ways of mollifying her.

  Twenty-three

  Tyler

  Tyler paced around his room, he was hiding from Georgiana and still hadn’t managed to speak to Rose. How had things come to this? He was trapped in a relationship he didn’t want, but somehow needed. The only reason he remained with Georgiana, ironically, was to be closer to Rose. Like this weeklong wedding—he’d agreed to come only because Rose would be here. Tyler had hoped he’d be able to talk to Rose, but Ethan stuck to her like a shadow. At least everyone was staying in separate rooms. Georgiana’s parents were old-fashioned like that.

  He picked up the room’s phone and dialed nine.

  “Reception, how may I help you?”

  “Hi, hello, I’m here with the Smithson wedding party. May I have the room number of a guest?”

  “Sure, sir. What’s the guest’s name?”

  “Rosalynn Atwood.”

  “Miss Atwood is staying in room 2405. You want me to connect you, sir?”

  “No, that’s all, thank you.” Tyler hung up.

  Damn. Room 2405 was on the same floor as Georgiana’s room, but he had to try. Tyler ruffled his hair in the mirror—yeah, the bad boy look suited him—and walked out of his room.

  After waiting for what felt like hours for the elevator to arrive, Tyler hopped in and pushed the second floor button. To his relief, there wasn’t a soul in the hallway on the next floor. So why the anxiety? He wasn’t doing anything wrong. And if someone caught him… ah hell, America was still a free country, wasn’t it?

  2401, 2403… there, room 2405. The door had a bell, but Tyler decided to knock since he didn’t want to risk someone from an adjoining room hearing the bell ringing. When no one answered after a minute or so, Tyler knocked again. Was Rose not in her room? Was she still downstairs in the dining hall? That wasn’t likely—when he’d left the party, Tyler had searched for her. Rose wasn’t downstairs. Rage seared his veins. Was she in Ethan’s room? Tyler knocked once more, louder this time, so that if Rose was inside, it would be impossible not to hear.

  “I think you have the wrong room,” a deep voice said from behind, making Tyler jump. “My sister is two doors down the hall.”

  Tyler turned around to meet a stare of manly hate. Ethan had a black expression that told Tyler the dude was more than ready to fight. He wouldn’t mind knocking out the old guy, but instincts suggested the move wouldn’t score him any points with Rose. The two men stared at each other aggressively for a few seconds, until Tyler finally broke eye contact and moved down the hall without saying anything.

  He paused at Georgiana’s door and looked back before knocking. Tyler watched Ethan go through the door that had remained shut for him, and a wave of resentment took over. He rapped his knuckles on Georgiana’s door in a loud, vindictive knock. Not that Rose cared about anything—or anyone—he did anymore.

  The knowledge made him livid.

  Rose

  When Rose heard the first knock, she assumed it was Ethan. Only her innate sixth sense prompted her to have a look through the peephole before throwing the door open. Seeing Tyler standing in the hall outside froze her cold. What did he want? Rose couldn’t go through another conversation like the one they’d had in January. Not here, not now. Even if they’d hardly spoken in a month and a half, it was too soon. Their friendship was still bleeding from a thousand wounds, and they couldn’t afford to add more fresh cuts. Plus, Ethan was going to be here at any minute, and the three of them standing in a confined space together was a hell-no situation.

  Even through the glass’s distortion, she could see Tyler’s pained expression, and it killed her. She backed away from the door. Rose couldn’t bear to see Tyler suffering like this. But what could she do? Nothing Rose could say right now would improve the situation—it’d only make it worse. The easiest thing was to pretend she wasn’t in her room. If she didn’t open the door, Tyler would go away, and they’d talk another time. Yes, this was the only sensible thing to do. But as another knock came, and then another, her heart churned. Rose willed Tyler to leave because it wasn’t in her nature to shove him away, over and over.

  “I think you have the wrong room.”

  Ethan’s voice sent a chill down her spine, and Rose glued her eye to the peephole.

  Ethan and Tyler were glaring at each other like angry beasts ready to attack.

  “My sister is two doors down the hall,” Ethan added, his tone as cold and hard as metal.

  Tyler’s expression was murderous—not that Ethan’s was all hearts and clouds. If Rose could magically dematerialize right now, she would. Her heart beat faster as the two stood there, glowering at each other. After what seemed like forever, Tyler finally left.

  A soft knock came immediately after, and she opened the door to let Ethan in. His stare was a wall of ice.

  “What did he want?” Ethan hissed.

  “I don’t know.”

  “I don’t like it, Rose. I don’t like it one bit.” Ethan nervously paced around the room. “I don’t care if he’s a big part of your life or your best friend; if he keeps this shit going, I’m going to whack the bastard.”

  “Ethan, calm down. Everyone’s going to hear you if you—”

  “I don’t give a shit if everybody hears.”

  “But your sister—”

  “It’d be about time she opened her eyes. Listen, Rose, I have to tell her. I can’t stand that he’s all over you while he’s still dating her.”

  “Tell her what, exactly?” Rose said icily.

  “About you and Tyler. Your history together. I have to tell her. It’s the only way she’ll be able to move on.”

  “Ethan, you can’t tell her that. When I told you, you said I wasn’t talking to Georgiana’s brother.”

  “But she’s obsessed with him, how else can I make her see the truth?”

  “Not by telling her about me and Tyler. You promised.”

  “I know, I know. But it’s killing me to see the way he’s hurting her. And I can’t stand him anywhere near you.” Ethan’s shoulders relaxed for the first time since he came into the room.

  “Come here.” Rose grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the bed, where they cozied into each other’s arms. “I know it’s hard,” she said, stroking his hair. “But I’m sure everything is going to be all right. Tyler and Georgiana will break up on their own. If Tyler doesn’t love her, he’ll break up with her. To be honest, I’m surprised he hasn’t done it yet.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  “Ethan, I don’t think he’s going to propose to your sister, so they’ll break up sooner or later. And when it comes to me… look, he’s been spoiled his whole life. He’s not used to hearing no. This is just a tantrum. It’ll pass. He needs some time. That’s all.”

  “I still don’t like it.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” Ethan kissed her forehead. “But don’t think you’re so easy to forget.”

  Rose scrunched her face.

  “You’re adorable.” Ethan showered her face and neck with tender kisses. “You even impressed my dad. I told you he’d want to adopt you.”

  “Oh, come on. He was just being polite.”

  “No, he wasn’t. Rose, he winked at me! You must’ve done something to really impress him. And why did he know your father?”

  “About that.” Rose flushed red. “Remember when I said my dad was in real estate?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “I may have understated that a little. I mean…” Ethan looked at her questioningly. Rose hoped he wouldn’t see her differently after she told him.
“Let’s just say his company is just shy of a Fortune 500…”

  Ethan stared at her. “What, you’re saying your dad’s a real estate mogul, and you’re a billionaire?”

  “Pretty much.” Rose’s cheeks flared hot. She was sure her face was about to melt.

  “That would explain my father’s approval. If I’d known you were an heiress, I wouldn’t have rented your place to you at half price.”

  “You said the owner didn’t want to have it go to frat boys!”

  “More the owner wanted to get in your pants.”

  “It’s your apartment, isn’t it? You sneak!”

  “Me, sneak? What about all that ‘I have a low budget’ crap you pulled, Miss Heiress?”

  “I prefer Miss Atwood. And it’s true I don’t like to flaunt my dad’s money around. I prefer to live on a reasonable budget until I can make a living of my own. And I don’t like people knowing about my dad, because no matter what they say, they look at you differently once they find out.”

  “I know the feeling. It was the same in school for me. Once my surname was public knowledge, I had a whole lot of new friends. I hated it.”

  “So you get it?”

  “I do.”

  “Are you mad I didn’t tell you?”

  “No.” Ethan leaned in and kissed her.

  “You must’ve really liked me to pull that rent stunt,” Rose said with a mischievous smile. “How much did you lose?”

  “I do a little more than like you. And I didn’t lose anything. I gained you. Rose…” Ethan paused. He almost never used her first name, and it gave Rose goose bumps all over. “I love you.”

  Rose’s heart skipped a beat. “I love you, too,” she replied, one hundred percent sure of her feelings.

  Tyler was forgotten. The man standing next to her consumed everything in Rose’s world. Ethan, the man Rose loved and who loved her back. He kissed her and Rose sighed, forgetting everything, even her name.

  Twenty-four

  Rose

  “Tyler?” Rose said into her phone. She’d heard nothing from him since the wedding two months back, and now he was calling her out of the blue.

  “I-I need to talk to you.” Tyler sounded agitated. “Can you meet me?”

  “Right now?”

  “Yeah, right now.”

  Rose looked at her watch. In forty-five minutes, she had a meeting for a group project that was due in less than a week. “I have a group meeting in forty-five minutes, but we can meet on campus and talk there before I head to the library to meet the others.”

  “Rose, to hell with classes and finals and group projects!” There was a hint of desperation in his words. “I need to talk to you, and it’s going to take a lot longer than forty-five minutes.”

  “Tyler, did something happen? What is it?”

  “Not over the phone. I’ll pick you up at your house in fifteen.”

  The line went dead. Tyler had hung up without leaving her room to reply.

  Exactly fifteen minutes later, her doorbell rang. Rose picked up her bag and hurried to meet Tyler downstairs at his car.

  “Hey,” she greeted him, opening the passenger door and climbing in. “What’s up?”

  Tyler turned toward her, and Rose gasped. With his ghastly pale skin, bloodshot eyes, disheveled hair, and dark, five-o’clock shadow, her best friend looked a mess. Thinner than she’d ever seen him, and ten years older.

  “Tyler, what’s going on?” Rose asked, alarmed.

  “Later.” He put the car into gear and started driving, gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned stark white.

  After ten minutes of driving in silence with no radio and no talking, Rose began to feel uneasy. She had no idea where they were going. They might be heading north, but that was the extent of Rose’s sense of orientation.

  “Tyler, can you at least give me a hint here?”

  He shook his head. “I can’t talk about it in the car… I can’t…”

  “Can I at least ask where we’re going?”

  “Salem.”

  Salem? Was this a witch-hunt? But when they kept going on I-93 North instead of turning onto I-95, Rose realized they were going to Salem, New Hampshire, not Salem, Massachusetts. The “why” remained a mystery. She kept quiet for the rest of the ride until they stopped in the parking lot of what looked like an amusement park.

  Why would Tyler want to drive forty-five minutes on a random Saturday to go to an amusement park? And on a day like this? At the end of April, the weather was still chilly and windy, and the park looked like a ghost town. Rose had so many questions she wanted to ask him, but once again, she didn’t. Certain he wouldn’t answer anyway, she decided to wait, even if Tyler looked more wretched with every passing minute.

  She followed him to the ticket booth where he bought two daily passes. Tyler took a free map of the park and started walking down a paved path. Rose walked behind him, a million scenarios playing in her head. Was this about them, their friendship? Their love quadrangle? They hadn’t talked properly after the wedding. When they bumped into each other on campus, there were always other people around to provide a buffer. The unspoken arrangement had suited both of them. Somehow, though, Rose knew this mysterious trip was about something else. Tensions lingered between them, but nothing strong enough to turn Tyler into the mess he appeared to be right now.

  Rose was so absorbed in her thoughts she didn’t see Tyler stop, and when he did, she bumped into his back.

  “We’re here,” he said.

  Rose followed his gaze upwards and saw they’d stopped in front of a Ferris wheel. Her heart jumped in her throat. So it was something bad, really bad. Ferris wheels were their special place. The most important turning points of their life and friendship had been discussed while on a wheel ride. Mostly the one back at home, the Texas Star, but others worked in a pinch, too.

  Rose thought back to some of the things they’d said and done inside a Ferris car. They’d promised each other they would be friends forever, piercing their index fingers with a needle and mixing their blood to seal the pact.

  When they were twelve, they’d shared their first kiss—just because they’d decided they should practice the technique together before they did it for real with someone else. At least, that had been Rose’s excuse. She’d wanted Tyler to be the first boy she kissed. It had also been on a Ferris wheel that Tyler had told Rose about losing his virginity. Years later, Rose had done the same.

  On one dreadful ride, they’d tried their first beer out of a flask Tyler had stolen from his dad and hidden under his football jacket. The beer had been warm and disgusting, and Rose had ended up getting sick, earning them one of the harshest groundings in their teenage history.

  They’d opened their Harvard admission letters together in a car much like the ones currently rotating high above her. After high school, they’d gone less often, but Rose had cried over Marcus for the first time while on a ride. They’d kept the tradition of going at least once whenever they were at home in Dallas.

  Everything important had been said on a Ferris wheel, and now here they were in front of one. Tyler had something so big to tell her that it called for a wheel ride. What was it?

  A cold shiver crawled up Rose’s spine. She was scared.

  “I know it’s no Texas Star,” Tyler said with a forced smile, “but it was the best I could find up here.”

  There was no line, and as they entered the first available car, an eerie silence lingered between them. As soon as the ride started, Tyler dropped his head into his hands, and Rose realized with horror that he was crying. She’d never seen Tyler cry. Never. Rose wanted to comfort him, but she didn’t understand why he needed comforting. Asking didn’t seem like an option, so she just sat beside him in sympathetic silence.

  After the wheel did a full circle, the attendant on the ground moved forward as if to help them dismount, but Rose signaled they were taking another ride. The park was empty. No one was in line, and after their s
econd go-round, the attendant left them alone and kept the ride spinning.

  Cold air blew on them, especially when they passed the upper part of the wheel. Still, Rose buttoned her jacket to the neck and waited patiently for Tyler to be ready to talk, ignoring both the wind and the cold.

  “My life is over,” Tyler said once they reached the top for the third time. “I feel so sick I want to throw up.”

  “You’re ill?” Rose’s voice cracked.

  Tyler shook his head.

  “Tyler, what is it? Tell me.” Rose felt ready to explode from anxiety.

  “She… she’s…” Tyler shook his head again. “She trapped me.”

  “Who? Who trapped you? What do you mean?”

  “Georgiana.”

  Another chill raced down Rose’s spine. “What did she do this time?” There were no more semesters abroad to force on him. “Is it school again?”

  “No.” Tyler kept shaking his head in his hands. “I’m done. No way out.”

  “Tyler, what did she do?” Rose whispered.

  “She lied. S-she tricked me. She did it on purpose. She says she didn’t, but I know she did.”

  “What? What did she do?”

  Tyler let out a desperate cry. “She’s pregnant.”

  Twenty-five

  Rose

  After his confession, Tyler cracked and collapsed into Rose’s arms, crying like a baby. Rose hugged him close to her chest, whispering soothing words, all the while boiling inside with rage. Tyler was one hundred percent right. Georgiana had done it on purpose. Probably telling Tyler some lame excuse about the pill not always working or some other false crap. Rose didn’t need to hear the details. When her phone started vibrating in her bag, she shifted in the booth to turn it off without looking at the caller ID.

  “Pick up if you need to,” Tyler half-sobbed.

  “No. Whatever it is can wait.” Rose let Tyler have a few more minutes. When he seemed a little calmer, she asked, “Have you… mmm… discussed options?”

  “There’s nothing to discuss. Georgiana says she wants to keep the baby.”

  Well, of course, after all the trouble the bitch went through to engineer the pregnancy in the first place. Rose felt homicidal. “And what do you want?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I want, I can’t have it.” Tyler sighed. “Rose, I want my life back. I want you back. But, most of all, I want our friendship back!”

  “Tyler, I’m here, and we’re friends. No matter what happens, we’ll always be friends. I’m so sorry Georgiana did this to you, but we’ll get through this pregnancy like everything else. What are you going to do?”

  “No clue.” Tyler shook his head. “What can I do?”

  “Well, Georgiana didn’t leave you much choice…”

  “She didn’t leave me any choice. Even if she was open to discussing options, you know my views on abortion, and she knows them, too.”

  “How come?”

  “She knows I’m adopted and against abortion, as I wouldn’t be here if my biological mom had one.”

  “You told her you’re adopted?” Rose was shocked; Tyler never told anyone.

  “Yeah.”

  “When?”

  “Ages ago. I don’t remember when. The topic just came up somehow…”

  “Oh, Tyler, look at me, please.”

  “What?”

  “You’ll be an amazing father for this baby, no matter what.”

  “Rose, please. I’m the most irresponsible person in the world. I can’t take care of myself. How will I care for a helpless child?”

  “That’s crap and you know it. Tyler, you’re a good guy, and you’ll be a great dad.”

  “Stop saying that word. I want to throw up.”

  “And who said morning sickness was just for the girls?” Rose attempted a joke.

  Tyler looked grim. “I’m going to be someone’s father.”

  “It appears so.”

  Tyler and Rose sat in silence for another half-turn of the wheel, both staring at the view, lost in thought. Until Rose finally spoke. “I feel a bit guilty about this whole situation.”

  “Guilty, you? Why would you feel guilty?”

  “Do you think Georgiana would’ve gone to these extremes if I hadn’t moved in with you? It made her go cuckoo jealous.”

  “I don’t care if Georgiana was jealous—she didn’t have the right to do this to me. When she told me…” Tyler growled. “All I can say for myself is that I didn’t strangle her—and not because I didn’t want to.”

  “Ethan says she’s obsessed with you—”

  “Don’t bring him into this discussion,” Tyler hissed. “I don’t want to remember he even exists right now. And please don’t tell me again I should’ve dumped Georgiana a long time ago. I don’t need an ‘I told you so’ speech. I’m already aware of the mistakes I’ve made. Don’t you think I regret every day not leaving Georgiana right after we… Anyway, I think about it every day. If I had, we’d be together now, and you wouldn’t be dating the devil’s brother, and I wouldn’t be having a baby with the devil!”

  “Don’t go there. This is not your fault.”

  “But it is, Rose, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been so damn scared, right now we’d be happy together. I’ve been an idiot, Rose. I wanted to be with you so bad, but I was scared because I knew with you, it would’ve been the real deal. And so I did what I do best: I ran. I ruined everything. Georgiana got all scheme-y because I left her suspicions room to grow. I shouldn’t have stayed with her, I shouldn’t have gone to France, and I should’ve used a condom even if Georgiana swore she was on the pill. I mean, how many idiots have been in my position before?”

  “Listen—I’m not condoning what Georgiana did because it’s so wrong on so many levels. But it shows you how much she cares about you…”

  Tyler snorted.

  “In her own perverse way, I think Georgiana really loves you. Look at all she’s done to be with you. And it’s not like she’s after money or anything.” In the past, Rose had suspected more than a few of Tyler’s girlfriends of finding his wallet more attractive than the person. Georgiana wasn’t one of them. “The Smithsons are well off, so all Georgiana has to gain from this mess is you, and I’m not saying you should forgive her—”

  “Are you sure? Because that sounded a lot as if you were making excuses for her.”

  “No, there’s no excuse for her behavior. But I am stating a fact: Georgiana loves you. A lot.”

  “Love?” Tyler scoffed bitterly. “You don’t trap the people you love.”

  “True. Let’s say her love leans a little toward the selfish side—okay, a lot toward the selfish side—but you can’t deny it’s there. What about you? How do you feel about her?”

  “I hate her, Rose. I hate her.” Tyler stared ahead at empty space. “Don’t even make me think about her…”

  “Tyler…”

  “I don’t like that tone.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “I have a feeling you’re going to ask anyway.”

  “How did you feel about Georgiana—I mean, really—before all this happened? Before… me?” Rose gripped the security metal bar. “Were you in love with her? Because if I have to be completely honest with you, she used to scare me more than any of your other girlfriends. And that’s why maybe… er…”

  Tyler turned toward her with a confused frown. “What are you saying, Rose?”

  “I’m saying that before I messed things up, you seemed really happy with Georgiana. I’m saying that partially—subconsciously—things may have happened between us when they did because I felt threatened by Georgiana. Yeah, I was sad about Marcus, but I was also jealous of you and Georgiana.” Rose released a breath. “Oh, Tyler. I’ve been selfish and stupid and petty. I couldn’t stand her, and I was scared she would take you away from me for good. That’s part of the reason we—I mean… did… you know… when we did.”

  “If you felt that way, why did you turn
me down when I came home begging to be with you?”

  “When you moved to France I had time to clear my head. I know I love you, and I thought I was in love with you for most of my life… but then all that shit happened, and you moved to Paris, and then… I met Ethan, and…”

  “Please don’t tell me how much you’re in love with him because I couldn’t stand to hear it right now.”

  “That’s not… My point is this: I idealized you for more than a decade, and you probably did the same with me. In my head, I’d always pictured us ending up married after you straightened up a bit and had seen enough women naked to be good for life…”

  “Yeah, I had that same idea. But what’s your point?”

  “My point is that maybe this fantasy we’ve both been having was just that—a fantasy. What I’m saying is, in all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you as emotionally involved as you were with Georgiana. I mean, before I spoiled everything by jumping into bed with you because I wanted to ruin your relationship. Because if I’m being honest, that’s what I wanted. I couldn’t stand that you hadn’t cheated on her. I couldn’t stand that you were no longer making a go at me, so I had to go ahead and screw your love life.”

  Tyler smirked. “Quite literally.”

  Rose blushed but smiled. This was the first glimmer that made her recognize the Tyler she loved under the broken man, under all his sadness and worries. If Tyler could make jokes on a day like this, there was still hope.

  “To be honest,” Rose continued. “I’ve been the worst friend—person, even. Worse than Julia Roberts in My Best Friend’s Wedding. I am the fungus growing on pond scum.”

  “No, you’re just the scum,” Tyler said with the tiniest hint of a smile. “We both are. But Georgiana… she’s the fungus feeding on scum.”

  “She’s a bit of a fungus or the mucus of the fungus… But the fact remains that despite everything—despite me, and France—you didn’t break up with her. It has to mean something.”

  “I came to that stupid wedding only because I wanted to see you.”

  “Okay, but you had a million other opportunities to dump her, and you never did.”

  “I’ve already told you, I’m aware of all the mistakes I’ve made. I don’t need you to rub my face in them.”

  “What if it wasn’t a mistake? You’ve never been faithful to someone for as long as Georgiana. Before I ruined everything, I mean. Not even with Jessica. So, are you sure you can’t find that love again, that there’s no way you could ever forgive Georgiana and be happy with her? Even if she’s a bit… mmm—”

  “Of a conniving bitch?”

  “I was going to say pushy. I know you’re mad right now—”

  “Mad doesn’t begin to cover it.”

  “Okay, but the only choice you can make right now is how to fit into this baby’s life.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning: are you going to be a single dad, or are you and Georgiana going to be a family?”

  Twenty-six

  Ethan

  Ethan had been pacing up and down Rose’s lobby for an hour now, and his patience was running thin. Why wasn’t she picking up the phone? She was with him, wasn’t she? The notion only served to fuel his anger. He had the keys to Rose’s apartment, being the owner, but it didn’t feel right to let himself in when Rose wasn’t there. She hadn’t given him a key, and anyway, waiting inside the apartment would hardly be better. At least down here he’d see Rose the minute she came home.

  Half an hour later, Ethan watched a black car pull up in front of Rose’s building. Tyler’s car. So he’d been right, they were together!

  The lights of the car went dark, and everything stood still. If Rose didn’t come out of that damn car at once, Ethan would not feel responsible for his actions. He wanted to snap Tyler’s neck so badly, and his being in the same car with Rose did nothing to calm the urge.

  Luckily, just when Ethan was about to spring into action, the car lights came back on and Rose climbed out. As she trotted up the few steps to the front door, the car sped away.

  Rose’s eyes widened as she entered the lobby and spotted him. “Ethan?”

  “Why didn’t you pick up your phone?” Ethan accused, not even bothering with a hello.

  Rose fired a question back instead. “Did you talk to Georgiana?”

  Ethan nodded.

  “So do you really need to ask why I wasn’t picking up the phone?” Ethan was about to come out with some petty retort, but Rose cut him off. “Listen, it’s been a long day. Why don’t we go upstairs to talk?”

  He followed her to the elevator, and as it climbed to her floor, both kept quiet. The metallic ding announcing they’d reached Rose’s floor sounded deafening after their silent ride.

  “I want pizza, a giant one,” Rose said, unlocking the door and taking off her jacket.

  “Pizza? How can you think about pizza right now?”

  “I skipped lunch, I’m hungry, and I could use some comfort food. Are you mad at me for some reason?”

  “You were with him all day, don’t deny it. And you didn’t pick up your phone!”

  “If you’re up to date on the ‘good’ news, I don’t really need to explain why I spent the day with Tyler. He’s still my best friend, and I’m his. Tyler needed to talk to someone. Do you want just cheese or pepperoni?”

  “Just cheese,” Ethan said, pouting.

  Rose dialed the delivery number. “Um, hello. Yes, one cheese pizza and one pepperoni, please… Rose Atwood… correct, that’s me… okay, perfect. Bye.” She hung up and opened the fridge. “Beer?”

  “Yeah, I need one before I go strangle that bastard.” Ethan flopped onto the couch.

  Rose handed Ethan his beer and sat rigidly next to him. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Yes, I did, but honestly this whole situation is hardly Tyler’s fault.”

  “Last time I checked, it took two to make a baby.”

  “Yes, it does take two, but if one of the two says she’s on the pill when, in fact, she’s not… all it takes is one lying b—”

  “Watch it,” Ethan threatened. “You’re talking about my sister.”

  “I don’t care if she’s your sister. You’re not on Georgiana’s side on this, are you?”

  “I’m not even sure what her side would be. Her side would be Georgiana not being pregnant with that bastard’s baby, and her never seeing Tyler again.”

  “Well, that’d be Tyler’s side, too, but it’s too late for that.”

  “And whose fault is that?” Ethan looked at Rose pointedly.

  “Are you saying it’s my fault? How is any of this my fault?”

  “If you’d let me talk to her, tell Gigi the truth, she would’ve never done it.”

  Rose glowered at him, eyes black with anger. “Don’t you even dare go there,” she hissed. “There’s no way it’s my fault if your psycho of a sister decided to get herself pregnant. No. Way. So don’t even try to put this on me. Why are you mad, anyway? The only person with any right to be angry here is Tyler.”

  “Of course you’d be on darling Tyler’s side.”

  “You’re being petty on purpose. Are you mad because I spent the day with him? Is this only a jealousy tantrum?”

  “Rose, I can’t stand him. And you spent the entire day with him not picking up your phone.”

  “Because we were talking. There weren’t any romantic implications in the conversation. Tyler is destroyed… I’ve never seen him this bad.”

  “He’s a cheating, lying—”

  “And what does that make your sister?” Rose continued to glare at him. “Georgiana schemed and lied just as bad.”

  “At least Gigi did it for love. Why did he do it? Why did he stay with her if he doesn’t love her? Only to be closer to you, or to make you jealous, and now my sister will pay the consequences for life.”

  “Only because she got herself pregnant against Tyler’s will. And please don’t a
ct as if you were a beacon of moral behavior. None of us have been.”

  “Meaning?”

  “How many casual hook ups did you have after Sabrina?”

  “Don’t try to turn the focus away from that bastard—”

  “Really? Georgiana traps him and Tyler is the bastard?” Rose was close to screaming.

  “Calm down,” Ethan said.

  “No, you calm down.” Rose shot up from the couch. “You haven’t answered me.”

  “What was the question?”

  “How many girls have you screwed without being in love?”

  Ethan shrugged. “A few,” he said casually, seeking to hurt Rose, to infuriate her.

  It worked. Her nostrils flared in anger, and Rose struggled to keep her voice steady as she spoke. “Tell me, Ethan. How would you have felt if one of those girls had trapped you by deliberately lying about taking the pill? Think about it.” Rose gave him a minute to, before continuing. “What if Alice had played the same trick on you? Would you be rooting for her, saying how, after all, you were the bastard for not loving her? I don’t think so.”

  Touché. He was no saint, and neither was Georgiana. Ethan began to calm down. Rose was right; he was being over-protective of his sister, and over-jealous of Rose’s relationship with Tyler.

  “I know you love your sister,” Rose continued, “and that you’re worried about her. But for once, this mess was not Tyler’s fault, or mine. It was all Georgiana. One hundred percent her. She’s far from stupid or naïve, and she knew all the risks and consequences when she decided to go through with her little scheme. So it’s all on her.”

  “But she doesn’t know about you and Tyler. Maybe if she’d known, she wouldn’t have done it.”

  “Didn’t you say Georgiana suspected us? Do you really think it would’ve stopped her, even if she knew for sure? Seems like the opposite to me. It would’ve made her even more desperate to cling onto Tyler, instead of stopping her altogether.”

  “Maybe you’re right, but what if you’re wrong? I need to tell her. Please, let me tell her.”

  “Why? What good would it do now?”

  “She could reconsider and…” Ethan didn’t like what he was about to say, but he saw no other solution. “Not have the baby.”

  “Tyler would never let her do that.”

  “Why not? It’d be the perfect way out for him.”

  The doorbell rang in the background.

  “Pizza’s here.”

  Rose buzzed the delivery guy in. A few minutes later, she was back on the couch with two huge cardboard boxes and two more beers. They ate the first half of the pizza in silence. Ethan didn’t want to be mad at Rose, but he was. He was convinced that if she’d let him talk with Georgiana, none of this would’ve happened.

  “Why do you think Tyler wouldn’t let her end the pregnancy?” Ethan asked.

  “Because…” She looked unsure and wiped her mouth on a napkin to cover. “Well, you’ll find out anyway sooner or later. Tyler is adopted and against abortion.”

  “Really?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Does Georgiana know?”

  “She does, has for a long time.”

  Ethan snorted. His sister really was a piece of work.

  “Do you think that’s part of the reason she did it? Because she knew Tyler would want to keep the baby?”

  “I’m pretty sure she took everything into account.”

  “Dooming herself for life.”

  “And bringing Tyler along for the ride.”

  “What is he going to do?” Ethan wasn’t able to keep the animosity from his voice.

  “What would you do in his place, since you seem to have all the right answers today, Mr. Self-righteous?” Rose sounded hurt more than angry.

  Her vulnerability made him feel ashamed. He’d been yelling at her all night for no reason. Ethan had wanted someone to blame, but he shouldn’t target Rose.

  “Come here,” Ethan said, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her onto his lap.

  “Oh, so I’m back to hugging privileges?”

  “And kissing privileges, too…” It felt good having her close, kissing her. Ethan relaxed. “It’s just that my sister is crazy, and I can’t stand him. But I’m sorry I took it out on you.”

  “Well, you’d better get used to Tyler being around; he might become your brother-in-law soon.”

  “Ugh, don’t say that.”

  “Why?”

  “Do you really think he’ll propose?”

  “They’ll either split up for good and be single parents, or they’ll get married and give it a shot at being a family. And, despite what you think, Tyler has a pretty big sense of responsibility, especially when it comes to family.”

  “Has he already decided?”

  “No, but I think he’ll try. At least if he can start looking at Georgiana again without wanting to kill her on the spot. It’ll take time… but eventually, once he has come to terms with the situation and the idea of becoming a father…”

  “But is that the best option?” The prospect of Georgiana marrying Tyler made Ethan sick. “Will he keep being a cheating loser if they get married?”

  “I don’t have a crystal ball. I’ve no idea what’s best or how it will turn out. All I know is that Tyler will love this baby with all he has. He’ll be a wonderful dad; I’m not so sure about a great husband. It’s hard for anyone to start a family and have kids, but if you’re forced into it, especially if you’re Tyler…” Rose shook her head.

  “So my sister basically dug her own grave.”

  “It’s not necessarily going to be a fairy tale wedding, but there’s a part of Tyler that cares about your sister. If he can forgive her, they could make it work.”

  “At least Mom will be ecstatic if she has another daughter married before the end of the year. And my dad too, with all these lawyer genes getting mixed up. He’ll have a lawyer empire with all these grandkids.”

  “Mmm… but with us, babies could end up with mixed real estate genes…” Rose blushed all of a sudden. “Not that… I mean… I wasn’t saying we should have kids or anything, it was just… you know…”

  “You’re so cute when you blush.”

  “And you’re so annoying when you look that smug.”

  “That’s not true; you adore me all the same.” Ethan smirked. “So much so that you want to have my babies.”

  “I-I said it just for the sake of talking.”

  Ethan pressed one hand to his chest mockingly. “Now you’re hurting me.”

  “Oh, stop it.”

  She silenced him with a kiss, and he wasn’t about to complain.

  “I have to study,” Rose said after a short make-up cuddle. “Finals are in ten days, and I haven’t done any homework today. Plus, I have a bunch of angry emails from my group project members who I blew off at the library that I need to read and reply to. Do you mind spending a cozy night in while I study?”

  “I couldn’t imagine a better way of spending the night than cozied in with you, and I always have work to do.”

  “I love you,” Rose said out of the blue. “Never doubt that.”

  “I love you too, Miss Atwood.” Guilt still gnawed at him, though. He’d been too harsh with her today. Rose didn’t deserve to be treated this way. “Sorry again for today. I know it’s not your fault. I was as worried for my sister as I was mad you spent the day with Tyler.”

  “You know,” she said, and kissed Ethan, “the feminist movement will shoot me for saying this, but I sort of like it when you get crazy jealous. You’re annoying as hell but way too adorable.”

  “I won’t tell, I promise.”

  Rose got her books from her room and sat at the dining table. Ethan sat next to her, took out his iPad, and they began working and studying, respectively. Despite all that was happening, Ethan found himself happier than ever. A simple night in, doing ordinary, boring stuff, and Ethan was in heaven because he had Rose by his side.

  Twent
y-seven

  Rose

  “Woo–hoo! Finals are over!” Rose tilted her face up, enjoying the first warm day of May.

  “You mind taking a walk with me?” Tyler asked seriously.

  “Is Georgiana around?” Rose checked behind them.

  Since the pregnancy announcement, Georgiana had become even more clingy and possessive of Tyler. Which usually resulted in escalating nasty behaviors toward Rose.

  “Nah, she had an exam right”—Tyler checked his watch—“about now. We should be good for at least two hours.”

  “Okay then.”

  They walked in silence until Tyler stopped in front of a sunlit bench. He sat on the backrest and Rose sat on the bench next to him, her head level with his knees.

  “So, I might’ve decided what to do with Georgiana and the baby,” Tyler announced. “But I need to talk to you first.”

  “Okay…” Rose’s heart started beating faster.

  “I’ll ask her to marry me and try to make it work. But before I do, I need to know you mean it when you say there isn’t a future for us. That you see me as just a friend.”

  Air left Rose’s lungs. So this was the moment when she’d have to say goodbye to Tyler forever. The day had been coming—fast—but somehow in all the scenarios Rose had imagined, being on a bench in the sun on campus had not been one of them.

  Rose’s voice failed her, the words caught in her throat. She paused and tried again. “Tyler, I don’t see you just as a friend. You’re so much more than that. You’re my best friend, my oldest friend… you’re family, and I love you.”

  “But you’re not in love with me anymore.”

  Rose shook her head.

  “‘Cause you love him.”

  Rose nodded. Funny how Tyler and Ethan kept avoiding saying each other’s names and just kept calling each other him.

  “I hate his guts, you know.”

  “If it’s any consolation, Ethan hates yours, too.”

  Tyler snorted. “Excuse me if I don’t feel sorry for him.”

  Rose tried to keep her emotions in check. Her relationship—um, friendship?—with Tyler wouldn’t be the same after today. For years, they’d flirted with the possibility of romance, of a distant future together. But today they were putting a stop to that for good. Rose hoped she’d manage to finish this conversation without bursting into tears.

  “Okay, then. I’ll be a married man soon!”

  “You already guessed what I would say?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “How?”

  “From the way you look at him; you’ve never looked at me that way. Rose, you’ve never looked at anyone that way.”

  “Can I get a hug?” Rose was about to break down.

  “Course you can. Come here.”

  Tyler jumped down from the bench’s backrest and pulled Rose into a tight embrace. A new sadness overcame her, and hugging Tyler provided little in the way of comfort. This newfound melancholy would take a long time to shake off. But, at least for the first time in forever, there wasn’t tension between them.

  “Promise me we will stay best friends no matter what happens,” Rose whispered.

  “Hey, I know I’ve gone soft, but I’m not Paris Hilton BFF material yet.” Tyler smiled. “And who knows? You could become my sister-in-law very soon. One day, we’ll be one big, happy family!” he added sarcastically.

  “Aw, come on.” Rose pushed him away and sat back on the bench. “It’s not like I’m going to marry Ethan anytime soon.”

  “If he’s not stupid, he’ll ask you. Plus he’s such an old guy; he’d better get a move on.”

  Rose beamed at Tyler. It was good that he was making jokes again.

  “So, when are you going to propose?” she asked.

  “This weekend,” Tyler said, sitting next to her. “Just before the term ends. Knowing Georgiana, she’ll want to get married straight away before her bump shows.”

  “You’ve already picked a ring?”

  “I have one on hold…”

  “You seem calm enough.”

  “No. I’m freaking out, Rose. My guts are screaming at me to hop on a plane, go get lost somewhere in Asia, and not come back for years. But, like you said, I’ll become a father no matter what, so I want to at least try to be a decent one.”

  “You’ll be a great dad, Tyler. I’m sure of it.”

  “I have another question for you…”

  “Is this one easier?”

  “Pretty straightforward. Will you be my best man?”

  “Of course I will, Tyler!”

  “Thank you. It means a lot to have you there by my side.”

  “Will Georgiana… mmm… be okay with me being your best man?”

  “Why? You think she has you lined up for the maid of honor role?”

  “Ha, ha. I’d be surprised if she let me inside the church at all.”

  “Between me and the old guy, I’m sure she won’t have much of a choice.”

  “He’s not old!”

  “He so is. So, will you be there by my side?”

  “Always!” Rose squeezed his hand. They’d been on a long journey that had seen them together and apart, but, finally, Rose had her best friend back.

  Twenty-eight

  Rose

  A mere three weeks later, Rose examined Tyler’s appearance in his wedding suit. They were in the chapel’s side room reserved for the groom, and the ceremony was supposed to start in one hour. After Tyler’s proposal, Georgiana had not wasted a second. The Bronfman-Smithson wedding had been organized in record time.

  “You look like a ghost,” Rose said.

  “And you look like a boy.”

  “I was under strict orders to dress in a tux and comb my hair in a low chignon. Your wife-to-be was worried I’d ruin the visual equilibrium of the ceremony if I were to stay by your side dressed like a girl.”

  “What?”

  “Interpreting Georgiana’s thoughts with some liberty, I think she wanted me to look as ugly as possible.”

  “You’re never ugly, not even when you dress like a boy.”

  “Well, I wasn’t forbidden from wearing makeup at least. How are you doing?”

  “I want to throw up.”

  “That good, huh?”

  “Yep. Where did you leave the old guy?”

  “Ethan’s outside helping his father welcome the guests. Your parents are doing the same. It’s a funny mix… You can spot the Texans from a mile away, even if they can’t wear hats inside the church!”

  “Bet you can.” Tyler chuckled. “How was the big dinner last night?”

  “I suspect my mom has a crush on Ethan. As for my dad, he couldn’t understand how someone could not want to be a lawyer, but he and Ethan had plenty of topics to discuss, and they hit it off pretty well…”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “You asked,” Rose said, straightening his bowtie.

  “I’m a masochist, didn’t you know? Why else would I be doing this right now?”

  “Because you’re a good man, because it’s the right thing to do, and because despite what you might think, deep down you care about Georgiana. A lot. And, I had a little peek at the bride; she’s going to take your breath away,” Rose said, smiling.

  She was trying her best, but seeing Tyler marrying someone else wasn’t the piece of cake she’d expected. Seeing Georgiana resplendent in her white gown hadn’t helped, either.

  There was a knock on the door. Ethan came in.

  “How’s everything going? Gigi wanted me to check that everything was in order… You’re a little on the pale side,” Ethan added, looking at Tyler.

  A gasp caught in Rose’s throat. Ethan in a tux was something else. She was melancholic about Tyler and everything, they had a lot of history that was hard to let go of, but Ethan was her future. Of this, Rose was certain.

  “You try the ‘getting married’ thing, and then we’ll see how you look,” Tyler retorted.

  The two men still didn’
t like each other. But they were coming to terms with the fact that, for better or for worse—literally—they were about to become family.

  “You sound like my mother now! Anyway, I come bearing gifts.” Ethan removed a flash and three plastic shot glasses from his jacket. “Here,” he said, filling each with a transparent liquid and then passing them out. “To the bride and groom—cheers!”

  The three of them raised the glasses, tilted their head backwards, and downed the shot in one swig. Rose wrinkled her nose—blech, vodka. A little too strong for the a.m. hours, yet Tyler looked far happier than he had a minute ago. There was even some color returning to his cheeks.

  “If we’re all set, I’ll go tell the priest we can start,” Ethan said, tucking the flask and glasses back into his jacket. “You should come out in a few minutes and wait for the bride at the altar.”

  Tyler nodded bravely.

  When Ethan was gone, Tyler turned to Rose. “The old guy… he’s not too bad.”

  “I know.” Rose was close to tears again. Vodka was a great idea for a guy with a bad case of cold feet, but probably not the best for an overemotional friend.

  “Come here,” Tyler said.

  Rose went over to him and they hugged tightly. This felt like the last private moment they would ever share.

  “Nothing will change between us,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Nothing,” she said, repeating the lie.

  Tyler let go of her. “Let’s go do this,” he said. He straightened his jacket and then marched out of the room.

  Rose watched him go, knowing that in many ways she was letting go of him, forever. When she came out of the small room, she was just Rose—there was no more Tyler and Rose.