“You’re hot,” I countered.
“You’re forgiven.”
“Aren’t I always? What’s this?” I asked, pointing to the formal setup usually found in the dining room.
“I thought it’d be nice to have dinner out here tonight.”
“Okay,” I said as the humid air clung to my skin. But, touched by his romantic side, I kissed him softly as a thank-you. Before I could turn to sit in one of the chairs, he took my hand, halting me from going any farther with a firm jerk. “What’s—”
“Cooper,” he interrupted. “A year ago, on this very night, there was no way of knowing that kiss you assaulted me with would be the start of us.”
“It wasn’t quite an assault, but I guess we should thank the bourbon,” I added on a chuckle.
“We should.” He then went on to say, “I couldn’t imagine the journey we would begin from that moment on. One that hasn’t lacked in frustration, confusion, desire, from start to finish. Having said that, I don’t regret any of it. I also can’t imagine living another day without you. No man has ever unraveled me like you have, in both the worst and best of ways. No human has ever stolen my heart without apology. Until you.”
“I can say the same.” This was the new Ricky, always ensuring I knew exactly what it was that he was feeling. Ever since he showed up in Jersey, he’d made it a point to communicate, whether it be good or bad, and I had gotten used to his declarations of love.
But when he placed his free hand over our entwined ones and paused, the serious expression on his face piqued something in my mind. While I put the pieces to this puzzle together, he continued. “Now that I have you, I don’t want to waste another moment. I don’t want to cautiously experience life. I want to run headfirst into all the things I never dared to hope for.” His Adam’s apple bobbed on an audible swallow that made him appear nervous, unsure… and that was when it all clicked. My mouth gaped just as he asked, “Marry me?”
“Marry you?” The following shocked span of silence worsened his uncertain expression. I hated it. I hated that I’d put it there. I hated that he’d have any doubt that I wouldn’t accept his proposal, and that prompted my hand to slide into his thick hair on the nape of his neck before saying, “Yes. One hundred percent, yes.”
Doubt morphed into joy and then into something entirely Ricky. He leaned closer, laying his forehead on mine. “You made me nervous for a second.”
“I guess I wasn’t expecting this. And for the record, I was going to ask you to marry me… eventually.”
“Eventually? Like when? Years from now?” He pecked my lips. “Grow a set, Cooper James Stanton. Step up,” he quipped, repeating words I had used on him in the past.
“You’re lucky I love you, Ricky Alexander Burrows.”
“I am. And I love you too.” He pulled me away from curious eyes, and we began to slowly make out, a contradiction to the kiss I’d forced on him a year ago. The longer he made love to my mouth with his, the more he made me breathless. Being the first to break the kiss, I smirked, mimicking his cocky sexiness. “I do have one request.”
Twisting my head from side to side, I reminded him, “The last time we almost got caught out here by your captain.” It was late at night, and the man had walked toward us just as Ricky had unbuttoned my shorts.
“Not that.” He rolled his eyes. “Can we do it soon?” he asked, his voice low and thick. “Get married?”
“As far as I’m concerned, we can do it tomorrow.”
Epilogue
Riana
Four months later
If there were one way to describe the day, I’d say simplistic adoration.
We all stood around their luxury condo in the sky with the view of the ocean as a backdrop to the couple. Family only, plus me. All the Stantons were present, as well as Ricky’s mom and boyfriend, whom I may have fangirled over. I mean… John Miller was a legend in the tech world. Ricky’s mom’s twin and her family were there. About two dozen in total, but every person was special to them.
There was no great fanfare, no over-the-top decorations, no tuxedos. In matching slacks and button-down shirts, really it was two men, staring into each other’s eyes, reciting the personal reasons they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else at that moment while pledging forever.
Ricky’s cousin Damon had become ordained on the internet and performed the ceremony.
A sweet kiss. A humble round of applause. A confirmation of a perfect union.
And it was a perfect union after a not-so-perfect start.
Having gotten engaged during their cruise in February, they’d chosen June to mark the time when they officially had become a couple. It seemed so long ago when Cooper had stressed over all the confusion plaguing him. I was happy he found love. It wasn’t easy, but when he called to announce he was engaged, he confided that after all they’d been through, they’d made it a point not to sweat the small stuff. I admired them for that.
I waited in the background as the newlyweds made their way around their family. A babysitter kept all the kids quiet and busy at the giant kitchen island with bribes in the form of snacks. It looked more like a birthday party or a Sunday dinner than a wedding.
Regardless, being there meant the world to me. To most, my presence and even my friendship with Ricky and Cooper would seem weird. I was the ex, the last woman to have been with Cooper Stanton. Even before I’d met Ricky, we’d never let things become awkward. After we were introduced, the easy, honest friendship I had with Cooper only expanded to include Ricky.
There was no way to measure how deeply I cared for them, and I loved those two with all my heart.
“Ree!” Cooper called out, grinning from ear to ear while stalking right for me. The moment he reached me, I was swooped up into his arms and spun. “Can you believe this?”
“I can,” I admitted. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.” He placed me down just as Ricky joined us. “I loved being included in this day. Thank you.”
“You’re our family, Ree,” Ricky stated, hugging me next and squeezing tightly. He kept his arm draped over my shoulders while staring at his husband. “And you played a very important part in our union… along with Dr. Lair.”
I giggled. “Well, I can’t speak for Dr. Lair’s role, but I could see Cooper’s feelings for you even when he couldn’t see them himself.” It was true. Cooper had never looked at me the way he had by merely talking about Ricky.
“Well, thank you… for being so supportive to Cooper, and for welcoming me into your life.” His words touched me when he went on to add, “And I’m so glad you’re finally taking that vacation. Are you excited?”
“I am.” When Ricky had offered a cruise on Bella Viaggi, I really hadn’t expected him to follow through so adamantly. But every time we’d spoken he’d brought it up. Work had been the real reason stopping me from taking the two weeks he’d offered on a silver platter. Feeling weird to accept such an extravagant gift had been another.
In true Ricky fashion, he’d worn me down, and come tomorrow, I’d be heading out for two weeks of bliss. They, on the other hand, were heading to Italy, England, Spain, and, according to Ricky, “wherever we decide to explore after that.” Cooper would be starting his new teaching position at University of Miami in the upcoming fall semester, and they planned on using every moment of the next two months to travel.