Page 110 of The All-Inclusive

“Thank you for clarifying.” Sara looks at the ring in the box again. When her eyes shift to Trent’s, she still looks uncertain. “How do I know you won’t run again?”

It’s a straightforward question. A question the woman I met at the start of this journey might never have asked.

But this Sara has guts, and Trent looks relieved at the chance to answer her honestly. “Given how I’ve behaved these last several weeks, I don’t blame you for feeling unsure,” he says. “I got scared that I wasn’t enough for you. That the future we’d dreamed of was so set in stone, there was no way it could ever contain two sets of desires that seemed like opposite things. But there’s a word in that sentence I’ve started to recognize as poison.”

Sara blinks. “Which word?”

“Seemed.”

“That’s poison?” She’s shifted from looking unsure to curious. “How isseemeda bad word?”

“Not bad, exactly.” He chuckles and touches the ring again. “That’s part of my problem, I think. Seeing everything as either good or bad, black or white, sinful or holy. That’s no way to live, and neither is thinking I know how you feel. That’s what I meant aboutseemedbeing poison—it’s a sign I’massuminginstead of justasking. I promise you, Sara—I’ll never assume things again. I’ll ask questions, get curious, give us all space to grow.” He looks over at me with deep-rooted connection. “That goes for all of us.”

“That sounds amazing.” She doesn’t look tense anymore. Trent’s words have calmed her, and I let out a breath of relief.

I’m watching her face as her eyes fall to that third ring. I can tell from her expression she’s never seen it before.

Now it’s Trent who looks nervous. He glances at me and I give him a nod of encouragement. Drawing a breath, he takes the third ring from the box.

“This is part of that promise,” he says as he holds out the ring. “I give you my word that I’ll work on our bond every day. That I’ll communicate with both of you, always. That I’ll never stop marveling at how fucking amazing we all are together. That’s what this ring symbolizes.”

It’s my turn to get curious. I lean closer to peer at the stones. “Whoa, that’s nice.”

“Our birthstones,” he says, and I stare at him.

“Whose birthstones?”

“You’re July, so your birthday’s a ruby.” He points to the red stone on the left side of the band. “Also the official color of the US Marines—scarlet and gold, right?”

“My God.” Taking the ring from his hand, Sara studies the gleaming blue stone on the other side. “The sapphire is March, so that’s you.”

“And also, one of the official colors of the United States Navy.” Trent takes the ring and slides it onto her finger. The two colored stones nestle on each side of her engagement diamond.

The fit couldn’t be more perfect.

“It’s amazing,” she whispers.

Trent grins. “I think so, too.”

She’s blinking back tears as she flashes the ring. “I love how they all fit together.”

His eyes shift to mine and he nods. “So do I.”

Turning his head, he grabs the second box off the nightstand. “I have something for you, too.”

“For me?” I’m glancing around, and it doesn’t take long to feel like a dumbass. “I mean, as opposed to the other six consorts hiding behind the furniture?”

He laughs and snaps open the ring box. Inside is a thick, rugged band of etched metal. It’s brilliant without being flashy. No stones or sparkles, but a bright, steady gleam that looks masculine without being dull. “It’s hammered titanium,” he explains. “Belonged to my grandpa, my mother’s dad.”

“You’re kidding.” For once in my life, I’m speechless. I’ve never been given a ring before. “This is an heirloom?”

“I want you to have it.” His throat bobs as he swallows. “I want you to be a part of my family. For us to be part of yours.” He glances at Sara and she nods as a tear trails down her cheek. “When I picture my future, it’s with all three of us in it.”

Holy shit. “It’s amazing.” I almost feel bad I didn’t get him a ring. “You’re sure about this? It belongs to your family.”

“Youaremy family.” Taking it out of the box, he slides the ring onto my finger. As it slips into place, his golden eyes widen. “It fits.”

“You’re surprised?”

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