The door opens, and I see my husband enter. “Ready?” He smiles when he spots the necklace, which tells me he knew all about it. I’m sure he knows about the earrings as well. It’s a lot all at once, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not thankful.
“Oh.” Sin reaches into the pocket of his suit jacket and removes his phone once more. “Photo op. Hold this for a second.” He hands me his phone, and I take it while he gets my husband a drink. Handing Kash the flute, he then takes his phone back and holds it up for a selfie.
“Seriously?” I ask with a laugh, unable to hide the smile on my face. I’ve never been this lucky. This loved. I shouldn’t be surprised by the gifts Bill gave me. He’s been this way since he saved me. But the thought that Kashton put into all of this is overwhelming. In the best way.
“What?” He shrugs. “If there’s no proof, it didn’t happen.”
The three of us get into the picture, holding our champagne flutes, and he takes another. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out something. “I almost forgot. Here you go.” He hands Kash a piece of gum. Then winks at me. “That almost ruined the night.” Then he exits the room, downing his drink.
“What was that about?” I ask my husband as he pops it into his mouth while I set my full glass down.
He turns to face me and places his hands on my cheeks. “I love you.”
My eyes search his and a calmness sweeps over me. Something I’ve never felt before. It…feels good. “I love you, Kash,” I tell him.
“I know technically we’re already married, but…” He pulls back and drops down onto one knee. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “Everett Sinclair, the love of my life, will you vow to spend the rest of your life with me?” He removes a black box that has a black ribbon wrapped around it with GRAFF written in gold letters. He unties the ribbon and opens the box to reveal an emerald cut diamond on a diamond band.
My wide eyes go to his, and that knot of emotion returns. I blink, trying to hold back the happy tears. I nod, biting my lip and choke out, “Y-yes.”
He slips it onto my trembling finger and stands. He cups my face, and I choke back a sob. “Till death do us part,” he promises.
“Till death do us part,” I vow.
SIXTY
KASHTON
Her tear-filled eyes drop to inspect the 8.12 carat emerald cut diamond. It has a cut shield diamond on either side with a diamond-set platinum band. I knew the moment I saw it that she needed it. “How does it fit?” I ask, running my thumb over it.
“Perfectly.” She assures me. “It’s perfect.” Placing her hands on my face, she kisses me, and I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into me.
I wanted this to be special for her. A chance to show her just how much she means to me. Words only go so far. They only mean so much. I’m going to prove to her how much I love her. That I can take care of her.
“Seriously?” Sin calls out, and she pulls away laughing as I look at the open door. “It’s time.”
“We’re coming,” she laughs softly.
I look over her necklace and then check her ears and see she hasn’t put in the earrings Bill got her. “Be right there,” I assure him and he closes the door when I grab the small box and hold it out to her.
She removes the diamond studs and replaces them with the earrings that Bill gave her. I close the box with the diamonds now in them and set it aside. “You look stunning, Eve.”
Her cheeks turn pink at the compliment. “Come on.” I take her hand, and we exit the owner’s suite and step out onto the deck. I’ve got it lined with rose petals to a black altar at the bow of the yacht.
“You shouldn’t have done this for me,” she whispers.
I turn to look at her, and her watery eyes scan the bow. “I’d do anything for you,” I tell her, and when she looks at me, I gently kiss her lips. This is just the start of our forever.
“Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden begins to play, and Sin clears his throat, standing under the altar.
Eve glances at me. I shrug. “Where’s Howard?” I ask, looking around.
He smiles, answering, “I told the officiant he wasn’tneeded. I’m going to marry you.” Sin pulls his shoulders back. “Don’t worry. I’m legit. I got ordained online today.”
I open my heavy eyes, hearing my phone beep. Looking at my wife, I see she’s tucked into my side, right arm across my chest and sound asleep.
Reaching over, I pick up my cell and see I have a new video message. I gently pull out from underneath Eve and put on my dress slacks before opening the sliding glass door and stepping out onto the balcony. The ocean looks like black glass. It’s so dark out here, and the sound of the waves is calming. After our ceremony, I opted for the patch that Sin also got for me in case the gum didn’t work. I prefer the patch much more.
I fall into a chair and run a hand down my face before I open up the video. It’s in the group chat with Saint and Haidyn.
