Page 140 of Hard to Judge

One word representing each of us.

Hota

Arlo

Me

“They’re perfect,” Hota says the words I can’t seem to get out. “Where are yours?”

“Back pocket.” Arlo grins.

Hota dives for them before the words fully leave his full lips.

A buoyant laugh warms my throat.

“Hold out your hand,” Hota orders as he scoots close to me with the velvet pouch in his clutches.

“Yes, Sir,” I obey.

They both groan as the rings tumble into my palm. They’re light when they should weigh a million pounds to represent our love, but that wouldn’t be right. Our love doesn’t hold us down. It lifts us so high that anything is possible.

Hota shoves the pouch in his pocket and I hand him Arlo’s ring with the word adoring on it, while I hold the other two. He nods as he takes the ring.

“Arlo.” I grab his hand and hold it in mine. “Do you take these rings as a symbol of our love…”

“…and devotion?” Hota finishes.

“Yes.” He wipes at his eyes with the hand that clutches our rings. “You were supposed to go first.” He laughs.

“We’re marrying you first,” Hota slides his ring onto Arlo’s finger after mine, “and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Okay.” He grins and blinks back tears as he stares at his ring finger and then the two of us. “I love you both so fucking much.”

Hota wraps his fingers around my nape and his thumb caresses my jaw. “We love you too,” we say as though it’s part of the ceremony.

Arlo hands Hota two of the gold bands, and then he grabs my left hand. “Hailey, do you take these rings as a symbol of our love…”

“…and devotion?” Hota completes.

“Yes!” My scream finally makes its way out, and there’s nothing to be done except laugh at my outburst with everyone else.

Arlo slides his ring on my finger, and then Hota steps closer and places the last two on my finger.

“My husbands.” I gasp.

Hota squeezes his hold on my nape, while Arlo tightens his grip on my hand. My gaze bounces between them until it lands on Hota. “Your turn.”

He releases me and straightens, looking ready as he’s ever been.

Arlo passes over my ring and I take Hota’s hand. My fingers play over the expanse of his ring finger. “Do you take these rings as a symbol of our love…”

“…and devotion?” Arlo finishes.

His dark gaze jumps between me and Arlo. “Yes. Yes.”

I slide my ring on his finger, and then Arlo follows.

Our hands clasp. All three rings on all three people.

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