Free The Keeneston Roses by Kathleen Brooks

?”
    “Listen to my sister speaking French now,” Daisy teased.
    “Daisy! It’s so good to hear from you.” Violet sat up on her bed and smiled into the phone at her sister’s voice.
    “It’s good to hear your voice, too. I have news.” Daisy was practically giggling over the phone.
    “What is it?”
    “I met someone.”
    “Daisy, you’re on a campus full of thousands of people. Of course you met someone.”
    “No, I met my soul mate. I just know it!”
    Violet’s grin slid from her face. “How do you know it? How long have you been together?”
    “We’re not together. At least not yet. But I met him when my sorority and his fraternity had a mixer. He’s a senior and is so cute.” Daisy giggled and Violet tried not to roll her eyes. She’d been this way before. So in love she was blind to the world. Well, not anymore.
    “You don’t even know him. I think it’s a little early to be calling him your soul mate. Date him for a while first and stop simpering. He’s just a man and puts his pants on just like you and me.”
    The line was quiet, and Violet regretted saying anything at all. “Daisy?”
    “Just because you suffer from a broken heart doesn’t mean the rest of the world has to suffer, too. This isn’t about you, and I’m not you.”
    Violet sighed. She felt horrible, but she couldn’t see where she was wrong. They weren’t even dating, and Daisy, who had never had a serious boyfriend, was head over heels in love with this guy already. But she didn't fight her sister on it. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Tell me about him.”
    Violet sat back against her headboard and listened about this perfect man. She was jealous. That’s what it was. She was jealous Daisy could still be so innocent and so naïve about love. Violet wished she could be that way again. She and Lily had talked about it. Talked about how they acted their way through dates and flirting. It was just a way to keep control and keep their hearts safe.
    “Violet? Did you hear me?”
    “Yes, he sounds divine.”
    “No, I asked if you were coming home for the summer. You haven’t been home in almost a year, and we’d love to see you.”
    Violet’s lips thinned. She didn’t want to go home yet. It would take too much energy to act as if she were happy. “I don’t know my schedule yet. With my promotion it may be harder for me to get some time off.”
    “Well, we miss you. I need to get to class, but promise me you’ll think about coming for a visit.”
    “Of course.” Violet said her goodbyes and sat staring at the brown boxes that needed to be unpacked. She should go home but not right now. Now was her time to grow and explore in France. She was respected and gaining valuable knowledge. Plus she hadn’t had to hit anyone with a spatula or a crêpe pan in the past year. Maybe she’d get home next year.
     
    The sound of a horn honking sent Violet scrambling off the bed and out onto her narrow balcony. Looking down, she saw tall, handsome Jacque. He was a waiter where she worked and had bragged about his new car the other day.
    “My fair lady,” he called up and removed his sunglasses, looking up at her. “It’s a great day for a cruise around the hills in my new car.”
    The sun was warm, a sexy Frenchman was waiting, and he had a convertible. “I’ll be right down,” Violet called, hurrying back into her bedroom.
    She opened box after box until she found a scarf. Tying it quickly over her hair, she raced out of her flat. Violet might not be as naïve anymore, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a good time.
     
    * * *
     
    Daisy smoothed her dress and straightened her pearls before rushing down the stairs of her sorority house. Tonight was the best night of her life. Robert had stopped her on the way to class and asked her to dinner. She had spent hours getting ready, and now she looked perfect.
    Robert was standing beside her housemother in the front entryway. He was so dreamy with his blond hair and