Free mini-romance: Ten Reasons Why

It was a warm summer night, the kind that flickered with fireflies and possibilities. But Allison was nervous. Before Scott came over that evening, she put on a light pink sundress and brushed out her hair. Then she made a list.

When Scott knocked on the door, she opened it. Before he had a chance to say hello, she held up a finger. “Reason one why I cannot marry you: We’ve both been married before. We know marriage doesn’t work.”

Scott stood on her doorstep, his broad-shouldered frame and dark hair streaked with gray, unfortunately as handsome as ever. “That’s not a very big sample size. And hello to you too.” He grinned, holding a bouquet of white roses that nearly glowed in the moonlight.

The roses smelled amazing. Still, she wasn’t going to give in. Since Scott had proposed last night, Allison had come up with ten reasons why they couldn’t possibly do this.

“Two.” She held up another finger. “We’re both over 50. Who gets married over 50?”

“Plenty of people,” Scott countered. “And even if there weren’t, who’s to say we couldn’t be the first?”

“Three,” she said. “We haven’t been dating all that long.”

“We’ve known each other since we were eight years old.” Scott held up the flowers. “Can I come in?”

She sighed and stepped to the side, letting him walk inside her home. He rummaged in her cupboards for a vase as Allison continued her list.

“Four you know too much about me. There’s no mystery. And fifth, you don’t like chocolate.” She crossed her arms. “Who doesn’t like chocolate? It’s a character flaw, if you ask me.”

Scott started laughing. “Allison, honey, chocolate? That’s why you can’t marry me? I’ll start eating it, if it means that much. Dark chocolate, milk, white, whatever kind you got.”

She held up her hand. “Six, I’m going to look ridiculous in a wedding dress. Seven, how could I choose a maid of honor when I have two best friends? Eight, we can’t get married right now. It’s allergy season.”

She paused in her rambling to breathe. Scott put the roses into a vase on her kitchen counter and walked over, wrapping his arms around her. “Honey, it’s always allergy season.”

Her body relaxed into Scott’s warm embrace, his scent a comforting mixture of summertime and a familiarity that nonetheless made butterflies dance in her belly. But she needed to finish the list. “Nine, you hate onions, and I find them essential to cooking. And ten—” Her voice trembled as she buried her face into his chest. “You’re my oldest, dearest friend. If this doesn’t work, I don’t want to lose you.”

Scott guided her outside to the patio. There, under the soft moonlight, he faced her, clasping both of her hands in his strong palms.

“Here’s my list,” he said. “Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first: I’m okay eating chocolate occasionally, you can have two maids of honor, and you can use shallots instead of onions.”

She smiled weakly.

Scott continued. “We’re older now, but that means we’re better at knowing what we want. And I want you.”

Allison’s heart drummed in her chest. Even if she was worried he knew her too well, being near Scott always felt exciting and new, especially these past two months after they’d finally admitted their feelings for one another.

“We’ve both been married before, it’s true,” Scott said, “but not to each other. You’ve got no proof that our marriage wouldn’t work, and my gut tells me it will. What does your gut say?”

Allison bit her lip. Her gut was saying yes, but that didn’t mean she still wasn’t scared.

“Whatever season I get to marry you will be the perfect time,” Scott added, “with or without pollen. There’s no doubt that when that happens, you’ll be the most beautiful bride.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “And you think because we know each other so well, there’s no mystery? Honey, each day I learn something new about you. Tonight, for instance, I’ve learned that you think liking chocolate makes you a better person.”

She laughed and he squeezed her hands. 

“I know you’re scared,” Scott said. “I’m scared, too. But I love you, Allie. I’ve loved you since we were kids. I want nothing more than to wake up next to you for the rest of our lives.”

Tears filled her eyes. She’d given him her list and he’d supplied his, but it was time to let those reasons go and leap into this new beginning with a full heart. On a warm summer night, anything seemed possible.

“Yes,” Allison said, her heart filled to bursting. “Scott, I will marry you.”