Tag: love

Samantha

Samantha smiled as her searching gaze landed on the tall figure standing at the top of the staircase. He came. 

It had been months since he had last emerged from his work long enough to remember that there were functions and events he was supposed to be attending. For far too long she had let him bury himself in his work instead of confronting the feelings they had slowly been discovering for each other. During that same time she remembered every soaring kiss and lingering embrace they had ever shared; every conversation, touch, and look. She loved that man, stubborn as he was, and she was going to tell him tonight.

Never before had she asked him to emerge from his work cocoon for an event, for her. Until tonight she had simply gone without him, giving inane excuses for those who asked after him. Despite his loathing for such formal affairs, a part of her was thrilled that he had come since she had been brave enough to ask. The popularity and attention he had attained after his last few product unveilings had left him pulling back out of the focal point even more than usual. Samantha hadn’t bothered to inform him that most of the women drooling his way everywhere he went were not only impressed by his success but floored by his charming smile and meticulously handsome looks. He looked as though he commanded the world.

As his piercing gaze swept the room she felt herself being pulled to him. Slightly nervous, she smoothed her deep purple figure-accentuating dress that she had carefully picked out for the night.. 

Step after step she drew closer, her happiness overflowing in overwhelming waves. With great amounts of will she schooled her giddy grin into a socially acceptable smile. Not once did her eyes leave his broad frame, not wanting to miss a second of him being here for her. Instead she soaked in his impressively powerful stance, letting the delicious shivers he provoked tingle up and down her spine.

She knew she wasn’t the only woman in the room to notice him and she didn’t care. No one moved aside for her as she made her way forward. As she walked unerringly in his direction she could see the heads that were turned, watching him. By the looks of it, there were several women there who recognized him, moving forward to greet the famous man.

A jaggedly raw pulse of pure energy streamed through Samantha as their eyes finally connected, his searching gaze settling firmly on her. He ignored the few people who had the gumption to halt his now-determined stride towards her.  Samantha’s heart stuttered. His stoic features left her guessing as to whether he was irritated with her for asking him to come or if he was coming to kiss her senseless. In the back of her mind she knew that she wouldn’t have to wait too long to find out.

He stopped right in front of her, well inside her usual social bubble but not nearly close enough for her now, his hands rising to her arms. Samantha gave a small sigh at his touch, something she didn’t think she would ever get enough of. 

In less than a startled heartbeat she was pulled softly into his solid build, her mouth captivated in his. She was swept up in a whirlwind of intense feeling; glorious seconds of unconcealed love swirled in and around the two of them as she melted against him and into his tender embrace.

As he gently broke their kiss and eased back to look directly into her soft hazel eyes he whispered for only her to hear, “Are you surprised to see me?”

“Yes. But I had hoped you would come.” She confessed. “I am more than happily surprised that you made it.”

He continued to hold her close, his warm hands sending more heated tingles down her back. “But you had doubt?” His perceptive question forestalled any potential hedging she could have offered. Instead she glanced down at his chest. How could she explain to him that she wasn’t doubting him but that she knew him well enough to simply not expect him to come and subject himself to so much unwanted attention. He didn’t wait for any verbal confirmation. Instead he pulled more fully away, grabbing her hand as a small attempt to lessen the blow of his sudden distance. The acute loss of his physical support would have left her staggering if not for the steady grip with which he held her hand. Her gasp echoed her surprise.

“Logan?” She stammered. She did not have a chance to say more as she watched him gracefully bend down and take a knee, solemnly looking up into her startled tears. So fully focused on the fact that he was down on one knee in front of everyone she almost missed the tiny round black box he had pulled out of his pocket. It was then she realized that he had planned to be on his knee. She smiled back a few happy tears.

“Samantha Alyssa Brooks, let me forever take away all your doubts and fears. I know you asked me here in fear of losing me to my work.” He paused, smiling sheepishly. “I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I am here because you asked me to be here. However, I came to let you know that I am willing to give up anything and everything to give you what you want. Let me prove myself worthy of your incredible love. All I ask is that you say yes. So here I kneel, praying and hoping as I ask; will you marry me?”

Samantha tugged on his hand, ineffectively trying to pull him up. “Are you serious?” She breathed.

He nodded, remaining on his knees. “Please say yes, love. Please let me be yours for eternity.”

“Yes!” She exclaimed, “Now get up here and kiss me.”

Exploding to his feet he wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her thoroughly. A thunder of applause and cheers surrounding them finally recalled them to where they were. Smiling, Logan slipped the sparkling diamond ring onto her finger.

Angie

Welcome back Searching for Love readers! I still hope that these entries of my sister’s quest for true love has a happy ending. My sister’s belief that there is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime connection to be found, a soul mate as you will. After so many years of failed relationships I admit that at times my faith in Angie’s convictions of finding her one true love has been shaken. And I know some of you have been asking about if I have a special someone and it would be great to find a special connection with someone but it hasn’t happened for me yet. And I don’t think it means that they are going to be my one and only and everything will magically fall into place.

And so here I sit on my bed, in the apartment I share with Angie, and I find my thoughts drifting back to her first date. I was 13 when I watched Angie enter into the world of 16 year old dating. The smile on her face when Dave Johnson picked her up on her first date was pure bliss. 

He didn’t ask her out again. And she seemed unfazed by it. I was devastated enough for the both of us. As time passed and she flitted from one boyfriend to the next, helplessly and hopelessly falling madly and devotedly in love with each one; I felt my own heart sadden. If my die-hard romantic sister was having such a hard time finding her one true love with all her buckets of optimism, how was I supposed to when I doubted it even existed at all?

Now, ten years later, I still watch my sister flit from guy to guy, always in love. After all, she flits around so well. A part of me has begun to wonder how she can put her whole heart into each relationship only to have it broken. Does the human heart have the capacity to be endlessly broken and still survive intact and undamaged in love when the one finally comes?

As I said, I still look at Angie and I find myself hoping for both her sake and my own that she finds her once-in-a-lifetime forever connection. Yesterday’s date has promise. After the guy came to pick her up, with me spying from the doorway of my bedroom, I knew that of all the dates my sister had been on recently this was one worth looking in on.

After she put down the little white flower that he’d brought her they headed out. Maybe it sounds a little creepy of me but I was thrilled as I watched from our tiny living room window when he opened the car door for her. Even my wary heart did a little fluttery pitter patter.

And I find myself wanting to clarify that I wasn’t some creepy stalker following my sister and her date. I may have followed them to the restaurant but I was only there for a few minutes before I headed home. What truly gives me real hope was Angie’s reaction to the date when she got home.

It was the first time in years I didn’t have to wait to pry information out of her the next morning at breakfast. 

I had been laying around reading and pretending I had been there all night when the apartment door slammed open, before she came bouncing into my room. She only made it a few steps in before she blinked and moved back to the doorway. I must have looked like I was sleeping or she hadn’t seen my book because the next thing I knew I heard her softly calling out.

“Hadley? Are you awake?” 

Too surprised to say anything I nodded. She never came to see me after her dates. Either it was usually too late and she assumed I’d be asleep or she would be sad and not want to talk. This new post-first-date Angie was intriguing to me. For a second I wondered if I’d not watched them on their date long enough, but quickly I checked myself. I was not going to be that nosy of a sister.

“I found him!” She declared. “Tyler O’Connell is the dreamiest, sweetest, more considerate man I have ever met! He’s the one.” 

I continued to stare. Was it really that easy to know? She’d never told me that anyone else was the one before. I didn’t know how to respond. 

“Hadley, say something.” Angie demanded as she came in and flopped on my bed as if crashing in my room for a girly chat about boys was commonplace.

“Does he know?” It was all I could manage to think to say.

“Know what?” Her bubbly cheer rebounding in my small space, not the least bit dampered by my less than enthusiastic response.

“Did you tell him you thought he’s the one?” I cringed, hoping and praying that she hadn’t. There had been a few long past boyfriends that she had become attached way too fast and they had ran the other way, leaving my sister a sobbing mess.

“Of course not.” Angie flopped onto my bed with a sigh, “I’ve learned something after dating all this time.”

I breathed. Maybe this one would last and she could find out for sure if he actually could be the one.

“So what did he do that has you convinced? Doesn’t it take longer than a few hours to know these kind of things?” I questioned, eager and curious to know. I wasn’t exactly overflowing with any sort of experience and I knew I would be writing this all to you.

Thus began Angie’s thorough evaluation of the evening, beginning with the fact that he came to the door with a daisy, continued with how he opened every door for her, seemed actually interested in what she was saying and even escorted her to her door at the end without demanding a goodnight kiss as payment for the evening. And yes, that has happened once or twice to my dear naive sister.

So readers, does true love exist? Is Tyler the one?

*Searching for Love is a fictional blog written by my fictional character Hadley

Emme

“I am so sorry, Emme.” Was all she heard him say before she mentally retreated inwards to fortify herself for whatever was to come.

Hearing Aaron so heartbroken tugged at Emme in a way that the words he spoke did not. Yet swamping her inherent need to sympathize was a healthy amount of shock as she reeled at what he possibly could have done that would have him sounding so dejected and apologetic. Carefully she sat down next to him on the curb, where he had slumped.

“Sorry for what?” She questioned, gently placing her hand on his knee.

He looked down at her hand and mumbled, “Please forgive me Emme.”

“I need to know what it is you want me to forgive before I can.” Emme did her best not to sound scared. She waited, her heart thumping faster and harder the longer the pained silence stretched.

“You know how my parents have been pressuring me.” He hedged.

She nodded when he didn’t continue.

“Well I agreed.” He blurted out in a rush.

“That’s not so bad.” Emme shrugged. “We can figure around a few months of you traveling with your dad for work.”

Even as she said the words Emme cringed as she watched him shrink in on himself, as if he could curl up and hide right there in front of her.

“Is there more?” She asked tentatively.

He nodded. He shifted so that he was fully facing her. “I didn’t exactly tell you everything that my parents were wanting from me. I was hoping to work it out so I wouldn’t have to, but they didn’t budge.”

“What didn’t you tell me?” She almost didn’t want to ask. In fact, she didn’t want to know the answer.

“It is more than a few months.” He trailed off. His head drooped, not looking at her.

“What else?” She prodded, tamping down her panic.

“No girlfriend. He says that I will be better able to focus and socialize with his associates’ daughters if I am single.” Even as Aaron spoke he didn’t look up at her.

She didn’t know how to respond. Instead she sat there. It was unreal. They had fought so hard, for so long, to be together and with no warning at all he had given up on her. He was breaking up with her and using his parents as an excuse. Shaking, she stood and rubbed her hands on her jeans.

“I have to go.” Emme forced herself to speak, simply wanting to leave.

In a few steps she was at the stairs leading back to her apartment, pleading with her body to make it up the stairs before she broke down weeping. It was a struggle to move fast enough.

“Don’t leave.” He cried, desperation tearing at his plea.

She stopped but couldn’t turn to face him.

“Why?” She tossed back at him angrily. “You apparently have already left me. For your parents.”

“No, I didn’t want to.” He mewled piteously.

“Want to or not, you did.” Emme forced herself to hold her head up straight and not slump as she went inside her apartment. Hidden behind the curtains of her front window she watched him leave. She loved him. With a tear falling down her face she forced herself to walk away from the window and into her bed where she cried herself to sleep.

The next morning Emme was not prepared to face the long lonely day ahead. She knew though that there was no way she was missing class. Head down, she walked to campus. Wrapped up in her thoughts she didn’t see him coming until he was holding her arms in front of him. She automatically jerked away.

“Wait!” Aaron stopped her before she took another step away. Caught, she slumped and refused to look at him. He pressed on anyways. “Emme, I realize how much of a jerk I was last night. I never thought of it as picking them over you. I thought I was making a compromise that would let us be together eventually.”

Eyes blazing Emme raised her head to glare up at him. “How on earth would dumping me and leaving to go schmooze with client’s daughters help us be together?” she whispered furiously.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m not gonna do it.” He pulled her close, going in for a kiss.

“Aaron.” She pulled back with enough force to break away. They both staggered back.

“Emme. I don’t understand. I told my dad I’m not going to do it. I’m not giving you up.” His sad, pleading eyes tried to read the turmoil in her eyes.

“That’s the thing.” She paused, stepping back. “You already gave me up. I’m not a toy you can leave behind and come pick back up on a whim.”

“No.” His whisper tore at the precarious bubble attempting to shield her heart from getting hurt even further. “What can I say or do that would prove I will never give up on you?”

She shook her head. “I need time. I can forgive you but I don’t trust you right now. And for our relationship to work there has to be trust.”

Instantly he stood up straight. Emme tried her best not to snuggle up into him. Physically she was still drawn to him. It was her head that was screaming for her to stay away. With no choice but to pull back she jerked her head up toward the nearby building. “I have to get to class.”

“I’ll walk you.” He ventured, adding quickly, “As a friend.”

All she chose to do was nod. At this point she wasn’t in the mood for a conversation. Yet a sliver of hope wiggled its way into her thoughts. Aaron seemed to sense her need for silence and walked amiably at her side, not getting too close and not pushing for her to talk. He opened the building door and stayed with her until she reached her classroom.

Before she went in his hand softly touched her waist. He withdrew his hand quickly.

“Emme I am serious. I am not going to give up on us. Take the time you need. Just know that I will be here for you. No matter what.” With that definitive assurance he gave her a small crooked smile and a shrug. “Enjoy your class.”

Elena

Creeping down the stairs, mindful of her father’s voice rumbling angrily in his study, Elena closed the front door with the barest of clicks. Even after sneaking out, she was irritated that a woman her age had to sneak from her parent’s house.  A 22 year old should not have to sneak. Again the thought crossed her mind that maybe she should finish her degree away from home. With it being online, she could finish anywhere. As she walked down the street to the 24 hour IHOP, she thought back on all the memories that had held her together while Sean was gone.

Once he had left she had no idea what step to take first to leave her parent’s agoraphobic house but she knew she had to go.

It didn’t take long to reach IHOP. She stepped into the brightly lit foyer and scanned the room. He was in the corner, blue eyes beaming her way.

“Elena.” He wrapped her up in a warm welcoming hug. “Six months was too long.”

Elena bit back her retort. She didn’t want her first words to be bitter. She settled for, “I missed you too Sean.”

His hug tightened briefly before he released her, looking into her eyes. “Come. Sit down and tell me everything I’ve missed.”

They settled back into the booth he had previously been waiting in and Elena stared at her best friend and at all the changes that must have happened over the past several months. It startled her into wondering how different she looked now? His once shaggy blonde hair was now impeccably trimmed with no sign that he ever let his beard grow out. There was a power in his eyes now, as if he was used to being in charge and expected to be listened to and taken seriously.

“I am thinking you need to laugh more in your life.” Elena let slip.

Sean’s eyes widened, rapidly followed by a bright smile. A laugh twinkled through his eyes. “You never did have a problem calling me out. Especially when I needed more happiness around.”

Elena blushed.

But Sean continued, “Are you doing alright E? I’ve worried about you.”

So simple a confession but still it warmed her senses. And out it all came. Her plans to leave, her secret apartment shopping, chafing against the strictures that had long held her in her room, even her desire to find a new job out of state once she was finished with her degree. The longer she talked the more she felt the months spent apart becoming inconsequential.

Sean listened to it all. And after she finished spilling out everything she had been wanting to tell him, out came the questions that had bothered her over and over again. “Where have you been Sean? Why did you have to leave? And why for so long?”

He almost looked guilty but quickly straightened, reaching out for her hand. She didn’t, couldn’t, move away from the searing heat his touch instilled. It had been lonely without him.

With his other hand he rubbed his face. “Elena, I am so sorry. I made a deal with my father. Once I graduated college he wanted me to go straight into the family business and train to take over. I wasn’t ready and demanded a break before I committed so fully to the company. I wanted a life. I didn’t want to be me for a while.” He paused to squeeze her hand. “He agreed to two months of complete freedom in exchange for six months of full dedication to the company.”

Elena stared at him. This man in front of her was not the vacationing, happy go lucky guy she had known and fallen for. He wasn’t entirely different but definitely more focused, polished even. She had been drawn to his confidence before. Now, it was as if he glowed with self assurance. Sean had become a force of nature to be reckoned with.

“So, what’s the family business?” she asked, tentatively.

“You don’t know?”

She cocked her head to the side, staring honestly over at him. “No. Should I?”

Sean shrugged, almost looking embarrassed. “I guess I just assumed you would look me up at one point.”

Elena shook her head. “I don’t pry into anyone’s life on the internet. Too many lies and half truths.”

It was Sean’s turn to grin, sheepishly. “I should have known you wouldn’t.” He let out a big sigh. “My dad founded Trelling Conglomerate. It started out small but two years ago it went international. Since I left here I have been traveling, helping cement new business partnerships around the globe.”

“Oh.” Elena wanted to say more but she sat back in shock. That was not what she imagined at all. Son of a huge multi-national business. Heir to a fortune. How small she seemed in the big picture of his life when he was such a prominent part of hers. She ventured, “How did you find time to come all the way back here?”  

When he leaned forward, across the table, her attention was riveted. “Elena, this trip back here has been in my schedule and unchangeable since the second I left. I promised my dad six months with no social distractions of any kind, but I wasn’t going to wait a single day passed that to come back to you.”

She mentally staggered under the immensity of emotion his confession charged in her. “What now?” she whispered.

“Well, as far as plans go, I had hoped to spend time with you for the week I’m here. I was hoping you’d still be willing to go on a few dates, talk things over and figure how we can best move forward together no matter where that is. Then, in a week I will have to head back to New York to settle things.” He paused, looking beyond anxious but excited. Elena couldn’t figure out how to feel. It was more than she had hoped for in all the time she had ached to be with him. Her gaze zeroed in on his very kissable mouth as he began to talk again.

“When I leave, Elena I was hoping you would come with me.”

Shock again coursed through her, leaving her energized and giddy. She smiled and began to nod when she noticed he was holding out a small box over the table. He pulled it open to display a diamond ring. She smothered her gasp with her hands as tears rolled.

“Elena, love. I know it has been a long time, but there has never been any doubt for me that you are the one I want to spend eternity with. Will you marry me?”

All she could do was nod and cry. Sean stood and slid into her side of the booth, easing the ring onto her finger and whispering into her ear, “I love you E.”

Sarah

Sarah sat patiently in the Audi’s passenger seat and smiled through the window at the man walking around to open her door. As much as she wanted to get out and look around, she loved it when Matt opened the door for her even more. When it slipped his mind, she happily waited in the car until he noticed. It usually didn’t take long. He always remembered… eventually.

Wiggling her toes she glanced down at her worn out sneakers. Hopefully it wouldn’t get too hot while they were hiking. Her door opened and she took his extended hand. She pulled herself out of the car to kiss him. Even after dating him for a year, kissing him just didn’t grow old.

She broke away reluctantly so he could close her door. Gazing past the parking lot at the trees crowding both sides of the path, Sarah couldn’t help but take a big deep breath. Being outdoors was such a big stress reliever!

Matt came up behind her and slowly eased his hands around her waist until she could lean back into his chest, enfolded in his embrace. For several minutes they stood there, enjoying the simple fact that they were together and in love. It was Matt who broke the quiet first by spitting out a few stray hairs of Sarah’s that had blown into his mouth.

With a giggle Sarah spun out of Matt’s arms and grabbed hold of his hand. “Let’s go.”

They were having too much fun to do any serious hiking as they meandered along the trail. Sarah drank in all the beautiful fall colors. How could she not be completely happy when she was not only surrounded by nature but also with the one person she wanted to be with for the rest of her life?

Shaking herself out of her thoughts she pointed up at a huge rock on the side of the path.

“That one!” She exclaimed.

“What about it?” Matt asked, using the distraction to pull her in under his arm. She didn’t hesitate to snake her arm back and around his waist. The closer the better.

With a small hip check, she nodded up. “I want to climb it.” She gave him her very best ‘duh’ face. “I want to stand on top and see the world at our feet.”

Laughing, he agreed.

In a matter of minutes they reached the base, all while pushing each other around like two year olds. With an exaggerated bow Matt proclaimed loudly. “After you, milady.”

Sarah shoved him a little. “You just want to watch me climb.”

All he did in reply was smile. Shaking her head, she began the climb. It took longer than she thought because Matt would randomly grab hold of her foot. He didn’t pull or anything dangerous, but it sure made it hard when she couldn’t pick up her foot to step up higher.

“Stop grabbing me!” She hollered down. As she heard him chuckle back, he snatched at her foot again.

“It isn’t me.” He wriggled his fingers up her legs like spiders, “It’s the rock monsters.” With a soft smack to her calf, he called up. “Don’t worry. I got it.” Again she took a step up, laughing.

Reaching the top, Sarah let out a whoop and did a little victory dance. Matt took his time.

While she waited, she turned in a full circle, looking out across the tops of the trees in every direction. Even the trail they had been following was hard to discern from up top.

Matt’s head popped into view. “What? No help?” He bemoaned.

With a laugh she reached her hand out, “Want some help Matty?”

“Peas!” He fake whined.

Both collapsed into giggles after she did indeed help him up. After several minutes laying there giggling and poking each other Sarah sat up and dangled her feet off the not-quite-steep ledge. Matt followed her over and gently wrapped his arm around her; effectively taking her in against him once more.

Sarah lay there, head on his shoulder, drinking in the view as well as Matt’s closeness. Far too often work, school, and well-meaning friends intruded on what little time they could spend together. This hike was perfect. Just the two of them for the whole day.

Matt stirred beside her, giving off an almost anxious air that hadn’t been there minutes earlier.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, still snuggling while attempting to look up into his face. He didn’t look at her but smiled quickly.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.” She softly accused. It wasn’t anger that filled her but curiosity. Why would he lie to her? And why on earth was he so nervous?

She felt rather than saw him shake his head. He didn’t answer her accusation. “Matt?” She questioned, seeking to pull his attention back.

He had begun to shake, his nerves getting the best of him and Sarah was beginning to worry. If he had to end their all-day date early she was going to be heartbroken. Already she started preparing for the worst. In an effort to pull him out of his fog she nudged him and asked, “Ready to climb down and keep hiking?” Even to her, her enthusiasm sounded forced.

Matt stood up and stuck his hands in his pockets, looking everywhere but at her.

Enough of the weird behavior. This was not how she was going to spend her day.

Sarah stepped right in front of Matt. Fists on hips she glared up at him. “Alright. Spill.”

“Huh.” His distracted gaze landed on her. Her in-the-face approach at least got his attention. “Oh sorry Sarah. I’m just a little distracted. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“Well I’m not. Un-distract yourself.” She smiled and went up on tiptoes to give him a small kiss to soften her demand.

Under his breath he muttered, “Now’s as good as any.” Before she could question that odd comment her question was answered as he dropped down on one knee.

Sarah heart stopped and shock sprinkled across the absolute joy spreading over her features.

The nervousness Matt had been exuding disappeared and her confident and outgoing man made a startling comeback.

“Sarah. From that first date when we had a picnic in the rain, I have known you are such a special person. Everyday I am more and more certain that I never want to let you go. I want to be with you for eternity. Will you marry me?”

Halfway through his proposal Sarah was already nodding. “Yes!” she beamed.

He slid the ring on her finger and rose to kiss her. It may not have been perfect since she had sort of bullied him into spitting out the proposal without realizing what she was doing, but she was now his fiance.

“I love you Matt!” She exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck.

Tieralee

Tieralee found herself toying with her starburst pendant, her fingers trembling. These high society balls made her anxious.  It was stifling. 

She stood on the outside of the swelling crowd, head bowed, eyes down. In a heartbeat she was shouldered roughly into the wall behind her. With a pained exclamation she looked up into a pair of sage green eyes, the surprise in them mirroring her own. 

Quickly the owner of those eyes righted her, sliding his hand softly down to take hold of hers. 

“Are you alright? Did I hurt you?” The intense sincerity with which he searched her face stole her clear thinking from her. 

“I…no…please do not worry yourself. I am unharmed. Only startled.” How long had it been since she last spoke to anyone? Relief flooded through her when her voice did not crack. The music for the next dance announced the beginning of a waltz.

“Still” he temporized, “I am appalled by my lack of manners. How may I make it up to you?”

“Sir, I do not even know you. Please do not worry over such a trivial thing.”

“Of a truth! Another bout of bad manners on my part!” He caught her hand in his and bowed over it. “I am Lord Braithwaite. Allow me to show my deepest apologies. Please honor me with a dance Miss…?” 

“Gibson.” She acceded, looking anywhere but into his intoxicating gaze. She struggled to figure out a way to extricate herself and reacquaint herself with the shadows of the nearest alcove as soon as possible.

“Wonderful. Miss Gibson.” He led her on the dance floor in a firm grip well before she could voice her dismay. Dancing with the handsome Lord Braithwaite was not a good way to stay out of her aunt’s scornful watch.

With his hand properly holding her in harmony with his movement, the warmth emanating from his strong frame lulled her to giddy acquiescence. It was exquisitely more exciting than what she had expected of her very first dance, and a waltz at that.

She was quite enjoying her forbidden interaction with Lord Braithwaite, until he opened his mouth.

“Now Miss Gibson, to whom do you belong to at this delightful little soiree?”

“My aunt.” She hedged.

His smile bloomed. “Ah, how telling.” He glanced away. “When you answered, you glanced her way to make sure she hadn’t seen you. Thus she is in that corner and you are only recently acquainted and don’t want to mess it up.” He paused. “That is, if I read that look correctly.” His gaze went from scanning the corner in question to piercing through her. “Why weren’t you standing with her?”

Tieralee blushed, dropping her gaze to his shoulder. This man and his eyes were far too perceptive. At a loss of how to answer, she stayed silent. 

She forced herself to keep her smile but could still feel him looking at her. With the end of the dance there came no relief, for he held her hand to his arm in the guise of escorting her. “Come, let us meet your aunt.”

“Please, leave it be. The shadows where you found me is where I aim to stay for the rest of the evening.” She pleaded softly.

“No I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” He smiled to cushion his bluntness. “We must be properly introduced through your aunt, for I plan to spend as much of the evening as I can at your side.” With this pronouncement he pulled her to a stop in front of her aunt. How he knew, she couldn’t say. “Lady Grenault, I must compliment you on pulling together such a wonderful event.”

Lady Grenault turned her full attention their way. “Lord Braithwaite. I am pleased you have enjoyed yourself thus far. Allow me to introduce my daughter Miss Alanna to you.”

Simpering and flouncing into view, Alanna dropped a deep curtsey to Lord Braithwaite. Tieralee burned with embarrassment at what was sure to happen next.

Lord Braithwaite bowed, drawing attention to the fact that he had her at his side by choice. It only took a few seconds but Tieralee knew the instant she was noticed. It was then she knew without a doubt, her aunt had expected her to stay out of sight in her room and most decidedly not in the ballroom.

Lord Braithwaite felt her tense and watched her wilt under her aunt’s silent scolding. Far too perceptive.

He forestalled any further conversation that would put Alanna forward and relegate Tieralee back to invisibility as he spoke. “I must beg your pardon for bringing this young lady into the conversation, however she has not been introduced to anyone and it seemed only appropriate to seek your impeccable guidance on whom would have such manners as to abandon their kin without a friend here, to be left alone, unable to properly meet anyone. She refuses to tell me who she is here with. Would you be able to enlighten me?” Tieralee looked up at the innocence plastered convincingly all over his face. Subtle.

“No need to be rash my Lord.” Lady Grenault fluttered. Based on her aunt’s simpering theatrics, Lord Braithwaite’s influence must have been great indeed. “She is my niece sir, and I was simply unaware she had arrived. Seeing how she has only arrived this evening from the country. I had assumed she would need more rest after such a long journey. Since she is here allow me to happily introduce her to you now. My sister’s daughter, Miss Tieralee Gibson. My dear, this is Lord Jamison Braithwaite.”

Tieralee did her best to curtsey prettily as the bow Lord Braithwaite presented her was impressively powerful. Immediately he placed her hand back in the crook of his arm. “Please excuse us Lady Grenault, I promised Miss Gibson an introduction to several of my associates.”

Tieralee followed him away from her aunt. Once far enough away she whispered up to him. “Though I am sure to be in great amounts of trouble for that conversation, I thank you.”

“No need to thank me Miss Gibson. I did it for selfish reasons.” He shrugged, refusing to release her hand from his arm. 

She stilled. “What would those reasons be?” 

“Well, I am sorry to say I may have been avoiding your cousin. And even if that were not the case, I couldn’t bear to not have the chance to get to know you better.” He caught her gaze with his, capturing her fully. Again, Tieralee found herself speechless and utterly drawn to him.  He continued with a grin, “And most importantly, I learned your name is Tieralee. Charming indeed.”

Maddy

I didn’t realize how close our faces were until our noses brushed. I took a step back, focusing on my breathing to stay calm, to hold it together.

Caden turned 17 yesterday. He now knows who he’s going to marry and I can’t figure out why it irritates me so much. All morning when I caught him glancing my way I couldn’t help but blush at his obvious attention. A part of me wants him to be my future. After all, we are best friends.

However, I am going to have to wait another year before I will find out for myself who my parents chose for me. With each engagement and subsequent marriage arranged and coordinated by parents, society deemed that children need not know the details until they were considered old enough to handle the responsibility. Yet that is not entirely true, because the boys find out when they are 17 while the girls have to wait until they are 18. The actual marriage doesn’t take place until both are 19 but still, they knew first. When did adults suddenly decide that boys were more mature than girls at 17?

When I asked my mother why I had to wait a year longer she laughed. “The longer a girl knows who she’s marrying the more she rebels and looks for a way out of it. Whereas the longer a boy knows, the more he gets used to the idea and looks forward to it.” 

I couldn’t disagree. I knew it would be very true in my case but I hated having all the guys in the school know and I was left in the dark. Caden was the last of my circle of guy friends to find out. Every one of their birthdays had come and they each had in turn become insufferable. I’ve grown to hate birthdays and what they did to my friends. Every birthday I got stares and every birthday Caden would take my guy friends aside to talk. After they talked everything would go back to normal. Caden saved my sanity. However this time it was Caden doing the staring. Who was going to have words with him?

By the end of the day I couldn’t stand it any more. I was walking out with Caden, Ben, Trate, and Eli when once more Caden looked my way. He was hiding something. So I whacked him as hard as I could.

I had waited until we weren’t on campus so we wouldn’t get in trouble but that was it; this is where my patience ended. 

“What was that for?!” He hollered before coming at me. I had been friends with these guys for most of my life so they no longer felt the need to refrain from seeking revenge when I hit them. In turn, I didn’t hold back my punches when they deserved it. 

I widened my stance, ready to absorb the full-on tackle I knew was coming. I was braced and ready but at the last second he swooped around and picked me up. 

“Caden!” I screeched. “Put me down!

My world began to spin. I clamped my mouth shut and hung on tight. How he kept his balance for so long while turning my world on end, I do not know. As he finally slowed I could feel his soft chuckle deep in his chest to which I clung. When did he get to be so strong? I didn’t notice before how much muscle he hid under those baggy old t-shirts.

He held onto me and nodded for the guys to keep going. Ben laughed, but then as they all started walking again Caden didn’t move to follow. After a minute he looked down and smiled, setting me down. “Ready to talk?”

“It’s just not fair” I stuck out my bottom lip and gave my most convincing pouty face. 

“Aww put that pout away.” He tucked my lip back in. “I know it bugs you not to know and I shouldn’t have stared.” I looked up into his face and searched for some sign that he would give me even a hint of what he now knew. Guys talked to each other. They were allowed to. I caught his ‘debating’ look and wanted to beat it out of him.

“Are you going to tell me then?” My hand found itself clutching his arm. I didn’t want to look desperate so I forced my hand to drop to my side.

I watched him pull his hand through his hair as he looked down the road at the other guys standing around waiting for us. Our friends, MY friends. His voice dropped to a painful whisper. “You know I can’t tell you.”

My breath hitched. I pounced on his wording. “But you know! You know! Tell me who!” Again my hands clenched his biceps. Who cares about looking desperate. 

Both his arms wrapped me in a huge solid hug as he bent to whisper into my ear. “I wish you were mine.”

I lost my breath. My heart dropped down to my knees as they buckled. If he hadn’t been holding me up I would have been on the ground. It wasn’t Caden. And he knew who it was. In that instant I knew I wouldn’t find out from him. For a second I blanked. All my brain could process was one phase over and over. It’s not Caden. It’s not Caden. It’s not Caden. I didn’t realize how much I had wanted and counted on it being him. And now that it was too late to try and do anything about it he admits that he wanted me to be his. “Do…do I know him?” I stumbled out.

His eyes closed. I watched as his face filled with sadness.  “Don’t ask me Maddy.”

I didn’t realize how close our faces were until our noses brushed. I took a step back, focusing on my breathing to stay calm, to hold it together.

I looked around and discovered that all the other guys were no longer quite so near, but were studiously looking anywhere but at the two of us. In a moment of clarity it hit me. Every birthday, all those talks, Caden was making sure I could still be his. They all knew I was supposed to be with Caden. That he had always thought we would be together. How could I not have seen before? It’s true he had always been so protective of me. But it didn’t click until now. 

Once again I faced Caden.

Before I could say anything else he swooped down and caught me in a kiss, his embrace tightening. My world narrowed in, focusing on the sensation invading my heart, permeating my being and capturing my very soul. I happily lost myself in what I was feeling. Never wanting it to end but knowing it was inevitable.

As he broke away he softly took hold of both sides of my face. I could look nowhere but at his tortured soul. “I would’ve chosen you, Maddy Raile. I still do. I’ll fix this.”