Page 156 of Every Chance After

“So, the day isn’t always unlucky?” I reason.

She rolls her eyes. “Grady, can’t we just have a quiet Saturday?”

“Aren’t we?” I challenge. “But to be clear, am Ineverallowed to celebrate my wife on theone daythat’s just about her and us?”

She smirks and scoffs. “I’m not your wife.”

“To me, you are. I’d marry you today if you’d let me. No big fuss. Just you and me in our backyard with the rings I bought.”

Her brow quirks. “You bought rings?”

“Simple, beautiful wedding bands. Bought them in August, after that weekend at that B&B on Oak Island.”

Just bringing up that amazing trip makes her blush and smile.

“I rescued them from an antique store,” I add, making her gasp with delight. “I have them whenever you’re ready,ifyou’re ever ready. Wearing a ring that tells the world we belong to each other would be nice.”

Her lip tucks into the other one as she considers this. “I don’t know whether to be angry that you did that without me or happy that you still want to marry me.”

“Still?”

Her shoulders slump, and her eyes fix on the game. She makes a move, but not a good one. Her eyes roll when she takes her hand off the pawn—she knows it. “You must really want to win, playing the marriage card.” She whispersmarriagelike the universe might strike her down for saying it.

“You’re the prize I’m after. What’d you mean bystill?”

She hesitates, giving me an annoyed, urging look to remind me that it’s my turn.

“Marina, truth.”

Her shoulders bounce in a weak shrug, and her smile vanishes behind uncertainty. “Fine, the truth, but only if you tell me the truth, too. Colin and Tamsyn. Now, Luke and Willow. Your brothers are building families. Does that make you… sad?”

I blanche at the question. “Me? No. Why would it? I’ve built my family, too.”

She slumps. “You’ve seemed different lately.”

“Only because I’m worried about you. Does all this baby talk makeyousad?”

“Sad for you because I can’t give you that,” she says, “and sad because everyone thinks it’s possible for us. It feels dishonest not to say something, but I don’t want to throw a wet blanket over their baby parties. You know?”

“I do know. But Marina, I have everything I need. I get to be with the most brilliant and sexy woman I’ve ever met. Not only that, I get to bemyselfwith the most brilliant and sexy woman I’ve ever met. Every day with you is a gift. I don’t need anything else.”

Her eyes water with tears—though I’d never call her a crier, she’s become freer with tears since we’ve been together.

“Unlessyouneed something else,” I add. “Do you feel like something’s missing from our lives?”

“God, no. Are you kidding?” she guffaws. “I’m Tilly’s big sister—that’s a full-time job right there, making up for lost time with her and Mom. Marigold and I are besties. I’m quickly becoming everyone’s favorite pseudo-auntie and sort of sister-in-law. Plus, with the boys at the G&G, I’m overflowing with family. Nothing’s missing for me. I amcompletelyhappy.” She swipes the pieces over, giving up on the game. “I only hope that you are.”

I smirk at the toppled pieces. “How romantic. Of course, I’m happy. It’s funny—we were both just worried about each other.”

“I’m glad it wasjustthat.” She crawls in my direction, weaving through cats and dogs, and edges into my lap, straddling me. “We should talk more. Next time, I’ll be upfront with my worries.”

“Good. Me, too.” I give her a short kiss, wrapping my arms around her. “You know, you don’t have to bepseudoorsort ofanything.”

She sighs. “I thought you said you didn’t need anything else.”

“I don’t. But Iwantto call you my wife. Iwantto wear rings so the world knows it. Iwantthis day to be a celebration. On this day, the universe brought you into the world and, twenty-five years later, brought you forever into mine. Why shouldn’t we celebrate it?”

MARNIE

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