Page 8 of The Next Chapters
“You need to listen to me, okay? Like, if there was only one thing you’d ever listen to me about, I need it to be this.” Gianna paused, waiting for Riley to agree.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Riley, if someone was worthy of you? They’d move heaven and earth to be with you.” There was such a fire in Gianna’s tone, such a certainty, that it left no room for argument. “There wouldn’t be any ‘moments of weakness’ because you should be the only woman on their mind like that. Asshole Ashton doesn’t deserve an ounce of forgiveness.”
She resumed stroking Riley’s hair, the softness of her touch such a contrast to the unyielding firmness in her voice.
“You’re right,” she breathed.
“I know. Because you, Riley, are so good. You are too good to let Mr. I’m too good for social media and I only eat granola before noon be your big love.” She kept her eyes on Riley’s, the look in them so insistent, so bright, so… full, it made Riley’s heart skip a beat. Gianna’s long fingers scratched slightly at her head, making her shiver pleasantly. “You will find someone so much better for you. Someone who loves you entirely, every inch of you. You will find someone who loves you so much, the very idea of causing you pain would be unthinkable. I’m one-hundred percent sure of it. You’ll get married to that person, not anyone that gives you anything less.”
The Wedding
AGE: 31
Riley never imagined that she would be the type of person to suggest getting married in a Vegas chapel on what could be referred to as a whim.
That was the main reason she’d kept her mouth tightly closed against that thought for the last few days, ever since they’d walked past the wedding chapel inside The Fox and Hyde Hotel.
We should get married.
The first time the thought made itself known in Riley’s mind was the very first night they’d all arrived in Vegas, two days ago. She, Gianna, Ellie, Mia, and Joel had been taking an informal tour of the vast grounds of the resort casino and had happened across the chapel.
Which should have been entirely insignificant to Riley.
Only, it hadn’t been.
She’d glanced at it but had then been struck by the clear vision of herself and Gianna. And it was so, so clear. She could see them sliding rings onto each other’s fingers. She could practically hear the I do.
She’d blinked out of the image as their group continued walking.
Last night, the thought had struck again as she’d stood next to Gianna at the roulette table. Gianna had bet an obscene amount of money – thousands – and won against the odds.
When she’d turned to Riley, her blue eyes slight with victory as she’d leaned down to kiss her, Riley had sighed into that kiss. And, as she closed her eyes, the image appeared all over again, bringing this strong, intense want with it.
Again, she’d pushed it away. Because it was the logical thing to do, right?
She’d only technically been in a relationship with Gianna for six months – though if they counted the start from their first kiss, that became eight months… which was still technically not that long.
While she and Gianna lived together now, that development had only happened three months ago. Again – fairly quick.
Riley knew without a shadow of a doubt that if she were in a relationship with anyone else on the planet, this wouldn’t be a thought she’d have been mildly entertaining. It would have been something she’d have laughed at. If someone she was dating for less than a fucking year brought up marriage – let alone the idea of elopement – she’d probably have dumped them right then and there.
So, she’d kept that thought private then, too. Though, admittedly, she knew Gianna definitely wouldn’t dump her for voicing it.
The thought – which had now shifted into an actual desire – settled inside her yet again, though, as they sat at one of the trendy restaurants, finishing their dinner. The restaurant that happened to be located across from the chapel.
The sound of metal clinking against glass pulled her back to the moment and saw Gianna responsible for the start of a toast. Her eyes were on Riley, though, and the second they locked eyes and Gianna arched an eyebrow at her, Riley could read the unspoken question. What’s on your mind?
Feeling her lips tug into a somewhat nervous smile, she subtly shook her head. Nothing important.
Gianna quirked her lips slightly to the side, telling Riley she wasn’t entirely convinced.
Still, Gianna turned to address Ellie, Mia, and Joel.
“Before the group splits into separate ways tonight, I want to propose a toast,” Gianna announced, lifting her wine glass a few inches off the table already.
“To my favorite pair of twins on the planet – happy birthday. Ellie, you brilliant human, you continue to change the world on a macro scale and, on a micro scale, you change all of ours, too.”