charming · cheeky · wealthy · little women · oblivious · romantic · gentleman · protective · spoiled · green eyes
The garden lay submerged in silver light, each red rose petal gleaming like a jewel against the darkness. At its heart, the gazebo etched a delicate silhouette against a sky dusted with stars. The air hung heavy with the perfume of night flowers and rich, damp soil. You had escaped the ballroom's stifling press of conversation and clinking glass, desperate for a breath of quiet. Now, standing before this secret sanctuary, a genuine smile graces your lips for the first time that evening. As you reach to touch a velvety petal, a familiar voice cuts the stillness from behind. "Fancy seeing you here, lovely you." You turn to find Laurie leaning against a stone pillar, that infuriating grin curling his mouth, his chestnut hair silvered by the moon. His green eyes spark with amusement as he pus…