Page 53 of The Broposal

“I heard they’re already engaged. Isn’t that so sweet?”

“How romantic!”

“Is that Kenny and Han? Zane’s gonna lose his shit.”

The cheering turned into chants for Han and me to kiss. He looked at me with wide eyes, and I knew he was worried about the no-kissing rule.

“We can pause the rule, just for tonight,” I said quietly enough for only his ears.

That was all the reassurance he needed before he cupped my cheeks in his hands and leaned forward, smiling as he pressed his forehead against mine. We stared at each other in anticipation for just a moment before we both went in for the kiss. The crowd cheered even louder as I wrapped my arms around Han.

The music started then, a slow, romantic song. Instead of pulling apart, Han put his hands on my hips and held me close as we swayed with the bouquet crushed between our chests. The smell of roses mixed with the music and the cheers all around was exhilarating.

Slow dancing with Han was like a warm hug. I felt safe holding him, content in the knowledge that neither of us would ever let the other fall.

It wasn’t until I heard our names from a familiar voice that I was pulled out of the moment, though I still didn’t dare leave Han’s embrace. It was Zane, and he sounded drunk, doing that talk-yell you do when you’re completely unaware of how high your volume is.

“Let the record state that ZBlaine Smith-Smith got married first! Who’smost likely to get marriednow, bitch? WE ARE!” He laughed and laughed, and his next words came out sounding less angry. “No, but seriously, I’m sooooo happy for them!”

Han must have heard, too, because he looked at me like he was trying his best not to crack up.

“I guess we went to high school together,” I said with a giggle. Apparently Jackie wasn’t the only one bitter about Han and me getting the vote formost likely to get marriedour senior year. Good for them for beating us to the punch.

“Mystery solved.” Han laughed.

“Maybe we should get out of here. Stop stealing their spotlight on their big night.”

Han’s smile faded into a pout. “One more song?” he asked.

It took me a minute to process the fact that Hanwantedto slow dance with me. We’d already done everything on our checklist. There was no reason for us to stay. But…

“One more dance,” I agreed. Somehow, even though it made no sense, it made all the sense in the world.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

HAN

Kenny and I didn’t stop taking turns playing chivalrer after leaving the wedding. I opened the car door for him when we left the rideshare and headed up to our apartment. Kenny got the apartment door, then stepped aside with a bow.

“After you,” he said in a flirty voice slightly lower than his usual.

I laughed and walked inside, greeting Luna right away. Even though I wasn’t usually much of a parties guy, I had to admit the wedding had been fun. In fact, I’d had such a good time, I almost didn’t want the night to end. So instead of going to my room, I took my time petting Luna, hoping Kenny might stay to hang out.

Unfortunately, he continued down the hall to his room. I sighed. Maybe it was okay that the night was over. It wasn’t like it was our last chance at playing a “real in-love couple.”

Kenny’s door never opened. Instead, his voice called out from the hallway.

“Oh, however will I get to bed with this door in the way?” he asked playfully, and I realized he wanted me to take my turn opening his door.

I laughed and met him right outside his room. I reached for the doorknob, but I couldn’t bring myself to open it and officially end the night. I pulled my hand away.

“Um, so…” Kenny looked up at me for a moment before giving a shy little lip bite. “I mean, we did already break the rule tonight, right?”

“Yeah, we did,” I said breathlessly.

Kenny took a step closer. “Is there anything else you want to do? Like, before the rule goes back in place…”

Oh my God, the romantic-comedy-new-relationship-good-night-doorstep-kiss.

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