Page 49 of Ski You Later (Alpine Glow #1)

And here I thought she couldn’t get any more beautiful.

Silence envelops the space as everyone seems to process this turn of events. Slowly but surely, every head starts to turn my way and stare at me with confusion. I’m no exception to this as I look around the room like a deer in the headlights.

After a couple more seconds, Jasmine seems to understand that she’s not getting engaged and promptly storms off the stage.

Daniel doesn’t pay her any mind as he keeps his eyes on me, jumps off the front of the platform, and beelines it to where I am.

The crowd parts before him, and I know it’s because this entire family lives for the drama, but I couldn’t dread it more.

“Rhodes, I know we’ve had our differences, baby, but you need to get over this if we’re –.”

Daniel doesn’t manage to get in another word before everything happens at once.

Roman’s hand on my hips pushes me behind him, so the only thing I can see is his back.

I watch as the muscles under his dress shirt bunch up as his fist cocks back, and the resulting sound of Roman punching Daniel rings out through the room.

All I can see from my angle is Roman’s back, so I quickly lean to the side.

Daniel’s sprawled out on the dance floor, blood pouring from both of his nostrils as he groans and rolls around on the ground.

Roman shakes his hand out, paying it no mind as he fully turns around to face me.

Making eye contact with me, he throws up his hands in a gesture of innocence.

“In my defence, I warned him,” he says with traces of fear in his words.

I’m still shocked by absolutely everything that’s transpired and turn to Roman with absolute bafflement. “How on earth did you warn him even a little bit?” I ask, my voice louder than I meant to have it.

“Well, I said if he bothered you again, I would break his nose. So, I only interfered when you looked bothered,” he states this as though he is recalling the weather, and not seeming to see a problem with his words.

“Hell yeah! I’ve been wanting to do that all year!” Echoes through the room as Carlos stands at the edge of the dance floor, both hands raised in the air with joy .

A piercing whistle quickly follows Carlos’ words as Henry stands on the other side of the dance floor. He mirrors Carlos’ starfish stance as he points to the rolling figure on the ground. “Get that loser out of here!”

That snaps the crowd out of their trance as murmurs and cheers of agreement break out all over the place.

Two of my uncles start to wrestle a crying Daniel into standing, while some other relatives pat Roman on the shoulder.

It’s not long until the music is reconnected, and the entire space is more than happy to get back to the party.

I grab Roman’s uninjured hand and motion us towards the other room. The first thing I need to do is apologize to him, and then get some ice on that hand as fast as possible. We make it to the adjacent room, only to find a distressed Jasmine crying on the couch.

Roman lets out a very audible sigh beside me, but I swat at his arm. “Please don’t do what I think you’re going to do,” he groans.

I promptly ignore him as turn to face him. “I’m going to go talk with her, how about you go get some ice for your hand,” I say this as more of a statement, and I hope he can see how I need to do this on my own .

There’s a wariness in his gaze, but he eventually nods. “You don’t owe her anything, Langley. If the conversation isn’t constructive, then just leave,” he says with all seriousness. Giving my forehead a quick peck before he turns to go inside.

Using the strength Roman’s words give me, I walk towards her and sit on the opposite side of the couch. Her sniffle stops immediately, and she sends a wary glance in my direction.

The way the innocent expression on her face drops the second she sees me tells me everything I need to know about how this will go. “What do you want?” She seethes at me, turning away and looking around the room.

“I don’t have much to say to you Jasmine, there’s no rhyme to your reason after all these years and I’m sick of your shit. But I am curious about one thing,” I say this as I face the wall, but my question brings our gazes together. “Was it worth dating that moron just to get back at me?”

A huff of a laugh comes out of her, and she seems to just relax back into the couch. “No,” she says under her breath. The comment making both of us chuckle as we look at one another .

I see Roman enter the room again, and I’m grateful he gave us any time alone together.

Turning to my cousin, I don’t feel any of the fear or anxiety that I used to, only pity.

“I’m really happy, and I’m not going to let you get between what I have any longer.

You can’ttake what I have this time, because I’m going to fight for him.

“Jasmine, I wish you the best. I can’t say that I’m ever going to be your friend, not with what you’ve done to me.

But I’m not your enemy. I hope one day you find what you’re looking for.

” I don’t give her another glance as Roman walks up to my seat, helping me stand as we both make our way out the door.

“I’m very impressed with you, Langley. I mean, I’m always impressed with you, but especially now,” he whispers down to me. I can’t help but look up at him; his strong features seem to glow under the mood lighting, and I feel so much towards him.

Bringing us to a stop, I find a small alcove to the side and have no hesitation in dragging him in with me. He easily wraps me in his arms, bringing me in close so that we can both fit and look up at each other.

His face immediately turns pensive, and he starts to ramble before I can say a word. “I shouldn’t have hit him, I know that. I know you are strong enough to fight your own battles, it’s just I held back for so many things he said and –.”

My mouth is on his before he even finishes his pointless apology. I’m so incredibly thankful to have someone that sticks up for me, and I plan to tell him exactly how I feel.

“I couldn’t have done it without you, Roman.

I would’ve never had the strength or the courage to say what I mean and stand behind my words.

You’ve helped me in every way, and I’m so thankful for every moment I have with you.

” I meant every word I said, and the sheen that built over his eyes as I spoke only made me fall for him more.

“I’m so lucky, Rhodes,” he whispers between us. His hands lightly brush my bangs out of my face, as he tucks both sides behind my ears. I smile fondly up at him as his hands drop down to my jaw, cradling my face as he looks down at me.

“I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I feel so special that you asked for my help, and I’m absolutely honoured that I could stand by your side through all of this.” His words seem to wrap around my heart and squeeze it tight, the tears welling in my eyes as my feelings for him overwhelm me .

He dips his head in close, those chocolate brown eyes looking at me with the most care in the world. “I love you, Rhodes Langley. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

I don’t waste a second before cupping his jaw in return, as I put all the emotion I can into my next words. “I love you so much, Roman Huxley, and I’m going to love you for as long as you’ll let me.”

Our mouths meet in the middle as we pour every feeling we have into the kiss. Our promise to protect one another, stand beside each other and love without restraint. I feel it all as I kiss Roman with everything I have, and I just think about how excited I am for our own wedding one day.

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