Page 89 of Queen Rose

Nate

Afew weeks later, I attend the Rosehaven Academy prom with Aria. My girlfriend is gorgeous in a vibrant red dress that matches her rose-red lipstick. Her hair is styled in soft curls that hang just past her shoulders. And nestled right at the hollow of her throat is the necklace I gave her. True to her word, she never takes it off.

Watching the action on the dance floor, she snuggles up to my side, patting my chest. “You look good enough to eat tonight, Nate King.”

“Thanks, I think.” I wink at her as I look around at all the decorations again, letting out a low whistle. “Rosehaven really knows how to throw a party.”

She shrugs, rolling her eyes. “It’s just the product of having way too much damn money.”

“I probably don’t want to know what all of this costs to put together, do I?”

She gives me a little smirk. “Nope. You definitely don’t. Just enjoy it. That’s what I’m going to do—enjoy being here. With you.” She tugs me down for a kiss, leaving us both breathless.

After that, the night is a whirlwind of sorts. We spend a lot of time hanging out at the tables surrounding the dance floor with everyone and occasionally getting up to dance when the girls insist. I’m happy to do whatever Aria wants tonight. Really, whatever she wants anytime. I’m that far gone.

While we’re sitting around, anxiously awaiting the announcement of the king and queen so we can get out of here, “Love Story” begins to play. Beau jerks in his seat, turning to me with a laugh. “Wait a sec. I have a question for our man, Nate. What the fuck is up with “Love Story” blaring out of your phone as Aria’s ringtone?”

“He’s a closet Swiftie.” Micah huffs out an amused laugh.

“Stop teasing him. You know you fucking love Taylor Swift.” Daphne rolls her eyes at him and shoots a wink at the rest of us.

Xander snaps his fingers. “Oh wait, I remember what you’re talking about. We all heard it when Aria called him… that night.” He winces.

Scarlett wrinkles her nose. “We won’t discuss that part of it, but yeah, what’s up with the sappy love song, Nate?” She grins, playing along.

“I think it’s sweet.” Lyla shrugs and gives me an encouraging smile.

Aria tilts her head, looking up at me. “You know as well as I do that Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers. They die in the story.”

The song is pretty damn perfect for us. I shrug my shoulders, grumbling. “But in Taylor’s version, they get their happily ever after.”

Aria blinks up at me, her lip quaking. “Are you trying to say I’m your happily ever after?”

In this moment, it’s as if no one is watching us. No one is listening. Everything and everyone else fades away. “You know you are,” I rasp, my voice husky.

She curls her hand around the back of my neck, and pulls me to her, kissing me hard for everyone to see. Showing all of Rosehaven Academy that I’m hers.

“I figured you’d get that reaction from her. I thought it was pretty sweet, myself. Would have said something then, but it wasn’t the right time. You’re welcome.” Beau’s voice comes to us through the haze of the kiss, and I feel Aria’s mouth smile against mine.

Damn right, it’s sweet. Just like my girl. What they don’t know is that I’ve had that ringtone set pretty much since the moment things started progressing between us—the whole balcony thing and running away together in the song really struck a chord with me, no matter who was singing. I just never expected my fantasy to become my reality. But here she is. My Juliet.

The moment is interrupted by a weird honking screech from the direction of the microphone up on the stage, and a woman who is clearly a staff member calls for our attention. “Hello, Rosehaven! I’m so excited to announce that in five minutes, we’ll be crowning our Prom Queen and King.”

Max chuckles and hooks Griff’s neck with his arm, pulling him in for a loud kiss before he asks, “I don’t suppose it’ll be us, huh?”

Micah groans. “Rosehaven is way too antiquated an establishment to crown two kings, unfortunately. Or two such flamboyant queens, if you know what I mean.”

Lyla presses her hands over her heart. “That would have been the sweetest damn thing ever, though. We should have stuffed the ballot boxes.”

Scarlett winks at them. “We’ll remember for next year to have someone do that for you guys. Max, you’ll come back for Griff’s senior prom, right?”

Griff freezes.

Oh. What’s this? My eyes flick around the circle of friends. Most of them seem in the dark, too.

Max grins like a lunatic. “Just tell them already, Legendary.”

“You didn’t do what I think you did…?” Daphne’s eyes widen.

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