Sweet Collateral
Page 180
Holy shit, he’s serious. “Yes?”
He pushes to his feet, huffing out a laugh. “Don’t sound too sure.” He takes my hand and slides the ring onto my finger. A lump forms in my throat at the idea that this incredible man wants to tie himself to me for the rest of his life.
“I’m surprised you even asked.” Rafael is more of a tell then ask person.
He shrugs. “Formality.” Grabbing my shoulders, he turns me around. “We’re getting married either way. Everyone’s already here.”
Literally. Everyone. Rows of seats are lined up near the edge of the lake, and at the water’s edge, a tiny archway of flowers stands, with Carlos in front of it. Una, Nero, Samuel, Lucas, Bella, Violet…they’re all here. All the people we care about. In our place.
Rafael takes my hand. “Ride or die?”
I smile. “Always.”
Our story hasn’t been pretty, but didn’t anyone ever tell you? You can’t see the stars without the dark.
Rafael and Violet are my shining stars and I’d suffer any amount of darkness for them.
THE END