Page 25 of Stick Games
His brow furrows in surprise, a glimmer of something hopeful flickering in his gaze. “Wait, did you just say I was right about something?”
As his words ease the tension around us, I playfully whack him on the arm. “Stop it.” I take another drink, the burn cutting through the moment, but only making it feel more real. “I did have the Olympics, and I did have some maturing to do. You were a lot older.”
He toys with his glass, fingers deftly tracing the rim as he shrugs. “I mean, not a lot.”
“Enough, though. At the time,” I insist, my voice softer now, the memories creeping back.
His eyes latch onto mine, filled with an intensity that makes my heart race. Need mingles with hope when he asks, “And now?”
The air between us shifts, and I take a moment, feeling the weight of his question. “Now…” I begin, my voice barely a whisper.
“Hey guys, there you are.” Brighton steps up to us, and puts a hand on our backs. “We’ve been looking for you. It’s birthday cake time.” Her gaze goes back and forth between us and she suddenly steps back. “Wait, am I interrupting something here?”
Gabe watches me, waiting for me to answer. “No, not at all. I think I’m ready for cake.” I ease off the stool and catch Brighton’s curious glance. She’s no doubt wondering what the hell is going on with Gabe and me, considering I didn’t go on the catamaran because I wanted to avoid him.
“Everything okay?” she whispers, as we walk along the path leading to the outdoor café.
I glance over my shoulder to see Gabe following, worry tugging his brows together. “I sure hope so,” I answer.
She doesn’t press, instead she leads me to our friends, who are all seated around a long table, a big cake set at one end. “Did you guys have fun?” I ask.
“Yeah.” Dani’s gaze goes back and forth between Gabe and me when he pulls a chair out for me to sit at the head of the table. “Did you too?”
“We did.” I sit, and Gabe pushes my chair in for me. As he hovers close by, my thoughts go to Ryder. I would never, ever want anything to come between two best friends, and if I play my cards right today, or rather, play my ‘yes’ game right, nothing ever will.
Conner lights the single candle, its soft glow flickering in the evening breeze. “This is all we could find,” he says with a sheepish smile.
“It’s perfect,” I reply, my heart swelling as I look around at my friends. Their familiar faces, filled with warmth and joy, make everything feel right in this moment.
“What are you going to wish for?” Dani asks, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Conner chuckles, settling beside Dani. “She can’t tell, or it won’t come true.”
I glance at Gabe, his gaze meeting mine. “Actually,” I say, my voice soft but sure, “…if I want this to come true, I need to say it out loud.” My heart races as I turn my attention back to the candle. With a deep breath, I whisper my wish, “I don’t want what happens in the Caribbean to stay in the Caribbean.”
The flame flickers, and as I blow it out, Gabe’s hand finds mine. In one smooth motion, he pulls me gently to my feet and, without hesitation, presses his lips to mine. The world around us fades, and the breeze carries the sound of gasps from our friends, but all I feel is the warmth of his love, the passion in his kiss. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve needed.
When we finally pull apart, Gabe cups my cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears of happiness falling down my face. His eyes are full of tenderness, his voice low and sincere. “I don’t want it to stay here either. I want to spend my life exploring with you.”
Tears blur my vision, and I can barely get the words out as I smile through the tears. “I want that too.”
We turn back to our friends, who are frozen in shock, their eyes wide. A laugh bubbles up inside me at their stunned expressions. “So… Gabe and I,” I start, unable to contain my happiness. “We’re kind of a thing now.”
Gabe wraps his arm around me, grinning. “By ‘thing,’ she means we’re a couple. Millie is the only girl for me. I love her and as soon as I get home I’m putting a ring on her finger.”
This time I gasp. “Gabe.”
“I want to marry you, Millie. I don’t want to lose any more time. Please say yes.”
I laugh, my heart so full of love. “Yes.”
He kisses me and when he inches back, his grin is just for me. “You know how much I love it when you say yes.”
I chuckle, my body warm with the memories of our games today. “I love you, Gabe.”
“Holy Jesus,” Conner exclaims, wide-eyed. “We leave you two alone for one day, and look at this!” He breaks into a grin, shaking his head at me. “All I’ve got to say is, it’s about freaking time.”
Laughter ripples through the group, the kind that feels light and easy, like relief after a long wait. Dani rubs her belly and chimes in, “Now can we please have some cake? My twins are starving.”
