Page 143 of Wedlocked

“Um, okay,” he said, taking it. The blue velvet ribbon curled around his finger, and just that little detail made me sniffle more.

It was a diamond tennis bracelet, but not just one. Three. Three strands of diamonds all held together by a clasp at each end.

“Well, I like that there are three bracelets that make up the one,” he said, fingering each strand. “One for me, Ben, and you. ‘Cause you know, for a long time, it was just the three of us.”

I nodded, my chest congested, eyes leaking.

“And I like that it ties together,” he explained, fingering the blue velvet ribbon attached to each end. “Ben told me you liked bows ‘cause you’re a gift.” He glanced up at me, sheepish. “And, ah, that’s what you are to me too. A gift.”

I was going to have to redo my whole face. The entire thing.

I flung myself at Matty again, crying all over him, probably smearing foundation on the shoulder of his black tuxedo jacket.

“The ribbon is blue.” He went on, unsure of what else to do. “So if you need something blue for that tradition…”

I pulled back, still holding his shoulders. “You know about that tradition?”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

I cried more. He thought I deserved that stupid tradition just like Bodhi.

“Should I get Arsen?” He worried. “Or Ben?”

“No,” I said, gulping in a few breaths. “No,” I repeated, much steadier. “I just… This is the sweetest thing, Matty. I didn’t expect it.”

“Well, don’t tell Arsen there’s no strand on here for him. He’ll get jealous. I already took his name, so who knows what he’ll do next?” He paused. “I’d add another strand, but then there’d be four.” His face scrunched up as though the idea repulsed him.

I laughed and grabbed his hand, the one with the new wedding band on it. “It will be our secret. I won’t even tell Ben.” Then, “I’m so happy for you.”

“You aren’t upset, are you?”

My head shot up. “Why would I be upset?”

“Well, this is your wedding week. And then I went and married Arsen the other night.”

“You’re so sweet,” I said, patting his cheek. “Sharing my wedding week with you just makes it even more perfect.”

“Well, today is all about you. And Ben.”

“Will you put it on me?” I asked, gesturing to the bracelet he still held.

He nodded, tying the blue ribbon around my wrist in a beautiful bow.

“All gifts need pretty bows,” he said.

“Please don’t make me cry again,” I whispered, staring at the bracelet, admiring the way the ends of the bow hung down my wrist. “Also, please tell me these aren’t all diamonds,” I said, looking at the way it sparkled.

He shook his head. “They’re crystal. The good kind. Begins with an S.”

“Swarovski?”

He shrugged.

“Thank you, Matty. I love it. And I love you.”

His cheeks turned pink. “I love you too.”

This time, he hugged me, and I closed my eyes, leaning into him. “I’m lucky to have you as a brother.”