Page 173 of What are the Risks
His smile turned into a full grin as he lifted me into his arms, spinning me around and kissing me like our lives depended on it – like we were each other’s lifelines. In a way, we always had been. And now, we always would be.
Forever.
I wound my fingers through his hair, anchoring him as close to me as possible. Just when I thought I had it all – the guy, the job and the house – he found a way to raise the bar.
Carefully lowering me to my feet, he took the ring from the box and reached for my hand.
“Let’s check it fits. It should. Tori helped me with your measurements.”
“Finger measurements?”
“Don’t ask. I swear that girl knows more about us than we do.”
Sliding it on, it fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there – well done, Tori.
My mouth gaped as I studied the beautiful design, so elegant and shiny it almost felt too fancy for my hand. But now that it was on, I never wanted to take it off.
It was a shame I’d have to for work. I doubted Ryker would be thrilled if I accidentally dropped it inside an open patient on the operating table.
“It’s a perfect fit,” I gushed, beaming up at him. “Oh my God... we’re engaged!”
“Fuck yeah we are.” He threaded his fingers through mine. “Let’s go downstairs. I hid some champagne in the fridge earlier today.”
I blindly followed Ryker down the stairs, unable to take my eyes off the ring. I couldn’t wait to show it to our mums and the girls. They were going to flip when we told them the news.
“Whose mum should we call first?” I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice, though deep down it was a serious question. “You know they’ll never let the other live it down.”
Ryker grimaced. “Yeah, about that...”
“SURPRISE!”
Startled, I stumbled down the final few steps. Luckily Ryker was there to catch me.
Our families were gathered in the large kitchen – Dad and Charles, Stefan, Savannah with her husband and the twins, Brady and Tori, and even Evan, Pat and Kyler. Bri and Jaz were here too, with Daisy smiling through the screen of an iPad, propped up on the island against a slab of beer.
Mum and Nancy were front and centre, each holding a bubbling glass of champagne. That explained the bang.
They’d managed to hang engagement balloons from the ceiling and strewn confetti around the room. It was our first memory in our new home.
“Congratulations!” Nancy shouted, taking a swig of her wine.
“Wait,” Evan called out. “We should make sure Ruby said yes before we start drinking.”
Bri jabbed him in the ribs, but everyonedidseem to be waiting on me.
“Well, honey,” Mum said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Did you?”
As Ryker raised our clasped hands, I felt every set of eyes in the room lock on the glimmering ring.
As if it was even a question.
“I said yes!”
