Page 48 of Ski You Later (Alpine Glow #1)

Violence is never the answer.

If I could go back in time and unthink that thought, I would. I really jinxed myself on this one.

Roman and I stand shoulder to shoulder, staring at the seating chart with twin looks of shock on our faces. My mom started to power walk away the second she saw it, but luckily dad caught her before she could do any damage.

Henry and Carlos join our group and then promptly stop when they see the chart for themselves. The circular table consists of Carlos, Mom, Dad, Roman, Henry, Daniel, and then me.

In that order.

“No fucking way,” Henry says into the space between us, as Roman attempts to peel off the names.

Our heads all turn in his direction and he just shrugs his shoulders. “It was worth a shot,” he muses, returning his hand to the side of my hip .

“Should we just, go home?” Carlos suggests, his question sounding like the best idea in my opinion.

“We can’t go home; we need to be here for Julian,” I counter immediately, but not putting much conviction into my voice.

Henry looks at me, raising his eyebrow in a skeptical way. “Ten bucks you don’t even know his wife’s name.”

“I know you don’t either,” I say without a second thought.

“Violet.” Henry smirks as he looks at us all.

“It’s Charlotte.” Carlos confidently states as he tries to scratch out Daniel’s name on the board.

“She just looks like a Chloe to me.” I muse as I watch Car erase the D with his nails.

Roman looks between us all, a mix of amusement and bewilderment on his face. It’s not like his brothers are much better. At least we aren’t brawling on the floor.

“Just in case any of you try to actually congratulate them, her name is Paige,” Roman states calmly. Moving his hand to hold mine and directing us to the reception area.

The giant event space is outlined with a large window and has flowers everywhere.

The decoration is placed in such perfect segments, making the room look busy and elegant at the same time.

Since it is April and freezing outside, everyone mills about as they admire the décor and talk with one another.

As we make our way to the table, I can feel the eyes tracking us from all around the room.

I catch conversations halting, and gazes being whipped our way as we pass through.

Thankfully there’s also Paige’s side of the family here and they couldn’t care less about my dating history.

I find shelter within their ranks, and I’m tempted to squeeze myself into one of their tables.

“Should we be like, talking to people?” Car asks as we get to our table, taking off his jacket and tossing it on the back of his chair.

I’m unfortunately thinking the same thing, but someone takes the stage before I can voice that opinion. “Hello everyone! Thank you so much for coming to celebrate Paige and Julian! If everyone could find their table, we will be getting started here shortly.”

As Henry and Carlos high five each other loudly, I shake my head at them and turn take my seat. Roman doesn’t miss a single beat, pulling out my chair and promptly pushing it back in.

“Why thank you, sir. You’re such a gentleman,” I say in my most high society voice .

“Anything for such a beautiful lady,” he muses back to me in an equally stupid tone. “I’ll go grab us a drink. Red wine?” I nod up to him, lightly squeezing his hand and watch as he walks away. I see Henry and Car follow excitedly, probably going to try and get themselves two drinks each.

Since sitting still isn’t really in my mental dictionary, I fiddle with the fun decorations littering the table. “Well, hello gorgeous, here’s your drink.” That was fast, but my distracted brain just says thank you, as I put the little flowers away.

When I look up to see a glass of white wine, I turn to Roman with a furrow in my brow. “Oh, I don’t drink white –.” My sentence dies in my throat as Daniel takes the seat beside me.

He looks exactly the same as he always does, hair styled into a boyish mess. His signature pretty boy smile on his face, as he sets those striking blue eyes on me. Although he’s a similar height and build to Roman, there’s not a bone in my body that feels anything for him.

His hand lands on the back of my chair and seems to have no issue with leaning into my space. “Listen, Rhodes. We need to stop playing these games and talk tonight. ”

My brain isn’t even processing what’s currently happening. His body language and actions are so casual and it’s confusing the hell out of me. “Where is Jasmine?” Is the only question my brain can conjure up at the minute.

“Who knows,” he responds immediately, and placing both hands on the table in front of me. “But what I do know, is that your cousin is a lot more work than you ever were.” He whispers this as if it’s flattering for me to hear, but I don’t try and hide the disgusted look on my face.

“Don’t give me that look babe. I get why you were so upset now, and I’m ready to give us another chance.”

A blank stare is all I can give to this ignorant boy. “Are you joking? Is this, like, a joke?” I stare at his serious face and can’t comprehend where he keeps all this nerve he seems to have.

“Rhodes, I’ve been calling you for months. I wouldn’t have been declined every time if you weren’t playing hard to get,” he says with such confidence.

Blinking is all I can do to try and process this. As I do a quick glance around the room, I’m thankful no one is looking our way as I lean in toward him. “It’s because I blocked you, Daniel. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

He sends me a face as if I’m acting ridiculous and starts to reach for my hand.

“Babe. You need to calm down and –.” He doesn’t get the chance to utter another word, as his wrist is captured by a much stronger hand.

“What do you think you’re doing.” The menace that drips from Roman’s hushed words would’ve caused a much smarter man to turn tail and run.

Whether Daniel is delusional or just an idiot, he doesn’t seem to react as he calmly turns to Roman. “Hey man. I don’t know if you saw, but the seating chart put our seats next to each other.” He points between himself and I, as if this is some sort of checkmate. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

Daniel seems relaxed, but the slip of his smug smile tells me everything I need to know about his real feelings. I would be just as stressed if Roman was towering over me, with anger pouring off him in waves.

Roman puts down my glass of red wine, and promptly puts that hand on the back of my chair.

“It wouldn’t matter to me if the seating chart was tattooed to your face. You’re going to get up, sit across the table, and shut the hell up,” Roman says all this with a lethal sort of calm .

“And if I don’t,” Daniel says as a slight wobble enters his voice.

Roman leans down, talking too low for me to hear, but his words cause Daniel’s face to go a shade paler. I can’t help but think that it’s about time he’s the uncomfortable one between the two of us.

The announcer steals everyone’s attention suddenly, asking that people take their seats so the dinner can begin. I spy Jasmine near the front, surrounded by our relatives that fawn all over her. But as I look at her face, I get goosebumps at the death glare she is sending my way.

Turning back to the table, I see Roman pull out the recently vacated seat, and Daniel storm off somewhere behind us. “That was fun,” Roman says with the most emotionless voice I’ve heard yet. I grin fully at him and love the way his features soften as he looks back at me.

The sound of applause and cheering bring us back to the present, and we quickly stand and welcome the bride and groom. The happy couple waves to everyone as they walk in, making their way to the head table.

The bridal parties’ eyes are filled with love as they watch the newlyweds enter, with the exception of one. Jasmine’s stare is still pinned on me as she slowly claps her hands together.

I don’t know if it’s the few sips of wine I’ve had, or if Roman has just emboldened me lately, but I smile smugly back as I send a wink her way.

Speeches, dinner, games, and the first dance go by in a blur. Julian holds his new bride, who’s name I totally remember, close to him as they sway to the music. The slow tune is filled with love and passion, ensuring everyone in the room watches in awe at the two love birds.

We’re at the back of the crowd, placing ourselves near the corner so we have a semblance of privacy.

Roman’s hands wrapped around my middle as soon as it started, his chest fitting snuggly against my back as we sway back and forth.

I feel as his chin rests lightly on top of my head, and I feel nothing but peace in this moment.

“This wedding is beautiful,” Roman whispers. His lips ghosting over the shell of my ear, as I lean farther into him.

“It really is. I would love a wedding like this one day,” I say into the space before us .

I’m pulled closer into Roman as his cheek rests lightly against the top of my head. “I want that one day too, Langley.”

His words register slowly but sit so right with me as I turn in his embrace. I slip my palms up his chest until my hands lock around his neck. The steadying weight of his arms wrapping around my waist brings a smile to my face, and I naturally tilt my mouth up.

I’m met halfway without a second thought, and Roman’s lip are gentle as we melt into each other. Our relationship is so fresh and has so much growth ahead of it, but just the fact that we seem to have to same end goal makes this kiss so much sweeter.

His reluctance is obvious as he slowly pulls away, but we both know this isn’t about us right now.

I’m just happy no one has taken their attention off the happy couple, and I return to leaning back into Roman’s hard chest. His hands move up to my shoulders, wrapping around them and holding my close.

Clapping and cheers erupt once again as the atmosphere changes from romantic to electric. The warm lighting switches to a disco ball in minutes, and everyone floods the floor as the real party starts.

I extend my hand to Roman, knowing it’s a long-shot, and that he probably just wants to sit down. But I can’t keep the megawatt smile off my face as he enthusiastically takes my hand, switching positions with me as he drags me on the floor.

Dancing fills the time and Carlos and Henry find us after a while.

Car quickly leaves when one of the groomsmen steals him for a dance, but Henry stays by our side and parties his heart out.

A couple dances quickly turns into twenty as the drinks keep flowing, and the alcohol numbing my feet gives me no reason to stop.

Roman’s the biggest surprise so far. The man hasn’t left my side for a second, as he uses his two left feet and dances in a manner that has me laughing hysterically.

The bride and groom left for their honey-moon over an hour ago, but it’s obvious the rest of the room plans to stay until we’re kicked out.

I grab Roman’s hand as the music crescendos, pulling me into his frame and randomly beginning to salsa right in front of him.

“Langley, what is this,” he says filled with laughter.

That joyous expression taking over his face as he tries and fails to match my steps.

The energy between us is natural and it just makes my smile continue to grow.

As I try and think of a new ridiculous dance I can make him do, feedback suddenly erupts from the microphone. Everyone on the floor cringes at the noise and the music comes to a stuttering halt. The drunken group whips their attention to the front, and my eyes immediately widen at what I see.

The drunkest version of Daniel I’ve ever seen takes the stage, his dress shirt unbuttoned, his hair a tousled mess, and a very distressed Jasmine holding him back.

The room waits silently in shock as Daniel taps the microphone harshly a couple more times and stares out at everyone. “Many of you all know me, already. I’m practically as family as the married lady,” he slurs into the mic and stumbles back into Jasmine.

She promptly tries to wrestle the microphone from his hands, but he just holds her to him in a one-armed hug. Successfully pinning her arms to her side as he has trouble focusing on the crowd in front of him.

I turn in shock and I see both my brothers reflecting my emotions.

Carlos’ jaw might as well be on the floor, and Henry’s wide eyed as he puts both his hands over his mouth.

I’m too scared to look at Roman, fearful he’s going to judge me forever dating this train wreck.

But as I turn to my other side, I see the undeniable smirk that he’s trying desperately to suppress .

“You cannot be laughing right now,” I whisper furiously to him.

He looks down at me, placing his hand on my hip as he steps closer to me. “I’m not laughing, Langley. I’m just thinking of something funny, that’s all.”

I don’t believe him for one second, but echoed words from the stage snap my attention back to the front. “Anyway, I need to say something important. Marriage is all about commitment, about finding that person that makes you happy and holding onto them tight.

“I’ve met the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I couldn’t love her more if I tried.

I want to take this next step with her, and she wants the same from me.

” Jasmines stopped struggling now, and lightly steps away from Daniel.

Her face shines with anticipation and the room waits eagerly for what he’s about to say.

As his gaze turns to Jasmine, he quickly looks past her until he finds me in the crowd. “Rhodes Langley, will you marry me?”