Page 56 of Things I Wished We Said

Riot pursed his lips, asking for a kiss that I was happy to oblige.

When we broke apart, it hit me that it was time. I’d decided to wait till after we ate, but I didn’t want to anymore. Now was perfect.

I gently pulled myself out of Riot’s hold so I could reach my backpack. He frowned, wondering why I was moving, but I ignored him, unzipping the front pocket before pulling out a small black box.

“The first time we did this, it was a formality more than anything. I’ve taken it seriously every single day and I knowyou have too, but our reasons and the way we handled it was a business transaction, and I’ve always fucking hated that.

“I love you, Riot. I love you in every conceivable way a person could love someone. I love your laugh, your horrible taste in music, your beautiful sculptures and art. I love the way you care for me and fiercely protect everyone who is important to you. I love the way you give 100% to everything. I love how you always forget to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer and complain about how I load the dishwasher. I love your brilliant mind, your caring, compassionate soul. The way you insist on wearing socks to bed like a fucking psychopath. I love you, Riot, and I want our marriage to mean something. Really fucking mean something.” I opened the box. “So, will you marry me again? For real this time?”

At some point during my speech, Riot had sat up and turned so that he was facing me. He was kneeling in between my legs, which was the opposite of how this was supposed to go, but he didn’t seem to care. Tears rolled down his eyes as he stared in the box.

The rose-gold band was thick, like a traditional male wedding band, but instead of one solid color, this one had three rows of different stones. The middle was diamond and was sandwiched by two rows of galaxy opals in blue and purple. It was already on a brand-new gold chain so he could wear it around his neck.

“I also got you a custom-made silicone band that matches this,” I added quickly.

Riot grinned before launching himself at me. I barely kept my balance as his mouth attacked mine.

“Fuck, Koa. It’s so beautiful, and yes, yes, I’ll marry you for real. I love you. Wait, I want to get you a new band too. Something that represents this stage of our lives.”

Great, now I was crying too. “Yeah, yeah, okay, baby. I’d really like that.”

Riot shoved at me lightly, and I willingly fell back down on the blanket, letting him lie on top of me and kiss me again.

“Fuck, Koa. I love it, and I love you. Put it on me?”

“Of course. You gotta get up for me to put the chain on.”

“Don’t wanna.”

I laughed. “Okay. We’ll figure it out.”

Just like we’d managed everything over the years. Because no matter what happened, no matter how our relationship grew and developed, one thing was certain. Riot and I would do it together.

The End