The Wedding

The Wedding

AGE: 31

Riley never imagined that she would be the type of person to suggest getting married in a Vegas chapel on what could be referred to as a whim.

That was the main reason she’d kept her mouth tightly closed against that thought for the last few days, ever since they’d walked past the wedding chapel inside The Fox and Hyde Hotel.

We should get married.

The first time the thought made itself known in Riley’s mind was the very first night they’d all arrived in Vegas, two days ago. She, Gianna, Ellie, Mia, and Joel had been taking an informal tour of the vast grounds of the resort casino and had happened across the chapel.

Which should have been entirely insignificant to Riley.

Only, it hadn’t been.

She’d glanced at it but had then been struck by the clear vision of herself and Gianna. And it was so, so clear. She could see them sliding rings onto each other’s fingers. She could practically hear the I do .

She’d blinked out of the image as their group continued walking.

Last night, the thought had struck again as she’d stood next to Gianna at the roulette table. Gianna had bet an obscene amount of money – thousands – and won against the odds.

When she’d turned to Riley, her blue eyes slight with victory as she’d leaned down to kiss her, Riley had sighed into that kiss. And, as she closed her eyes, the image appeared all over again, bringing this strong, intense want with i t .

Again, she’d pushed it away. Because it was the logical thing to do, right?

She’d only technically been in a relationship with Gianna for six months – though if they counted the start from their first kiss, that became eight months… which was still technically not that long.

While she and Gianna lived together now, that development had only happened three months ago. Again – fairly quick.

Riley knew without a shadow of a doubt that if she were in a relationship with anyone else on the planet, this wouldn’t be a thought she’d have been mildly entertaining. It would have been something she’d have laughed at. If someone she was dating for less than a fucking year brought up marriage – let alone the idea of elopement – she’d probably have dumped them right then and there.

So, she’d kept that thought private then, too. Though, admittedly, she knew Gianna definitely wouldn’t dump her for voicing it.

The thought – which had now shifted into an actual desire – settled inside her yet again, though, as they sat at one of the trendy restaurants, finishing their dinner. The restaurant that happened to be located across from the chapel.

The sound of metal clinking against glass pulled her back to the moment and saw Gianna responsible for the start of a toast. Her eyes were on Riley, though, and the second they locked eyes and Gianna arched an eyebrow at her, Riley could read the unspoken question. What’s on your mind ?

Feeling her lips tug into a somewhat nervous smile, she subtly shook her head. Nothing important .

Gianna quirked her lips slightly to the side, telling Riley she wasn’t entirely convinced.

Still, Gianna turned to address Ellie, Mia, and Joel.

“Before the group splits into separate ways tonight, I want to propose a toast,” Gianna announced, lifting her wine glass a few inches off the table already.

“To my favorite pair of twins on the planet – happy birthday. Ellie, you brilliant human, you continue to change the world on a macro scale and, on a micro scale, you change all of ours, too.”

Ellie smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly as everyone leaned in and lightly clinked their glasses against hers, with Mia turning and pressing her lips against Ellie’s cheek.

Gianna’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming as she winked, “Macro, micro… I hope you appreciate the scientific terms I used just for you.”

“Very scientific,” Ellie agreed, her mouth pulling into a smile as she held Gianna’s gaze and nodded in that serious way she had.

“Last but never, ever least…” Gianna turned, gazing at Riley from the seat next to hers. And, as always, the adoration in it swept through her. “Riley, you deserve all of the good things in the world; I am merely thrilled to have the privilege to continue to be by your side for them.”

She felt that all-encompassing feeling wash through her very veins as she leaned in and pressed her lips to Gianna’s, unable to stop herself.

At this time last year, she would have never imagined where her life would be. How could she have?!

And yet, this time last year, she’d been celebrating her birthday much the same way – with Gianna by her side, making her feel like she was the most important person on earth.

Bolstered on by that feeling, she lifted her glass again before everyone could set theirs down.

“I’m also proposing a toast.” She arched an eyebrow at Gianna, whose blue eyes never strayed from Riley’s face. “To Gianna. For organizing this trip to Vegas for all of us and turning it into a birthday celebration for Ellie and me when in reality ,” she stressed, deliberately tapping her glass lightly against her girlfriend’s, “The entire reason this trip was happening in the first place is because of her brilliant work with Worthy.”

The little smile that played on the corners of Gianna’s lips was as sheepish as Gianna would ever wear, as she held Riley’s gaze inches away.

And god damn it if Riley didn’t find it absolutely charming.

How did Gianna do it? She vaguely wondered, as she often did. How did she wear self-deprecating with as much charm and beauty as she did when she was glowingly self-possessed? How was she so unquestionably, unfathomably arresting , no matter what?

This had been something Riley had thought about since long before they’d ever been romantic, but now, she felt a wonderment along with it. A brand-new appreciation.

When Gianna slowly lifted her eyebrows, and Joel cleared his thought questioningly, Riley realized she’d paused a little too long to be normal, getting caught up in those thoughts.

She might have been embarrassed if she had been seated with anyone else in the world. But for Gianna, Ellie, Joel, and Mia to catch her admiring Gianna, Riley didn’t have anything to be embarrassed about.

Clearing her throat, she continued, “In true Gianna fashion, she took her own success and made it something for all of us to share and celebrate.”

“To Gianna,” Mia gamely, warmly toasted, lifting her glass again.

As they finished up at the restaurant, Riley sat back and observed everyone, letting her thoughts meander again.

Gianna had ended up getting some meetings set up with the execs of a large lingerie retail distributor, and as soon as the date had been set for late August, she’d excitedly informed the entire group that she finagled a weekend for them in Vegas.

She’d then arranged little lists of activities for all of them that they’d be interested in since Ellie, Mia, and Joel weren’t interested in gambling. Different shows and events, little things they’d all enjoy.

As they left the restaurant, they were all breaking off into little groups to enjoy their final evening here. Gianna had gotten Joel tickets to some sort of lights show that he was ecstatic about, and Ellie and Mia were going to the last show in a physics expo at the convention center attached to the hotel.

And Gianna was responsible for it all, Riley thought, as she watched their group disperse, leaving her and Gianna alone at the exit.

Gianna sighed exaggeratedly, a small smile on her lips as they watched them go. “Babies, all of them. I feel like I’m watching my children toddle off into the bright Vegas lights.”

Riley couldn’t help but laugh, leaning her shoulder into Gianna’s. “And what amazing parents we would be in that respect.”

“Do you remember our first trip to Vegas?” Gianna asked thoughtfully as she looked around.

She craned her head to be able to give Gianna the incredulous look that question deserved. “Do I remember? Do I remember coming here on the Fourth of July for your twenty-fourth birthday, getting caught up in an accidental parade, you winning ten thousand dollars in roulette, and then watching the most insane fireworks show from our top-floor hotel balcony…. Hmm.” Riley tapped her fingers against her chin as she screwed up her face in faux contemplation. “I’m not quite sure.”

Gianna laughed loudly and exuberantly – a sound of sheer joy – even as she lightly pinched at Riley. “No need to get sassy.”

“I think it’s very fair to get sassy when you ask me if I remember our first trip here.” She shot Gianna a look. “I remember every trip we’ve ever taken.”

After all, every big travel experience Riley had taken since college had been with Gianna. From visiting Mummo in Finland and then traveling to the rest of the Nordic countries to taking the train through the majority of the rest of Europe, to the countless islands they’d visited on relaxing resorts. Even in the states – she and Gianna had gone to the Grand Canyon together, to the Outer Banks, Napa Valley, skiing in Aspen.

“You may travel quite a bit for work without me, but all of my excursions are with you,” Riley reminded her.

Gianna’s gaze was so warm as it landed on her. “I suppose you’re right.” She arched a look down at Riley, then, “Even though this is technically a work trip for me, this trip is just as much for you as it is for me.” As she spoke, Gianna slid her arm over Riley’s shoulders and tugged her close as they walked.

It was wild, Riley still thought, that she fit so well against Gianna like this. It was crazy that while she’d always known how they’d fit together, how it could still feel so new, exciting, familiar, and comfortable all at once.

“Gianna, love,” she used as stern a voice as she could, as she corrected, “We’re here because you just signed a deal to have Worthy sold in boutiques across the fucking country . It just happened that they wanted to fly you out and meet with you the day after my birthday.”

Gianna frowned at her, pausing their already slow pace so she could look directly at Riley. “What, I’m going to come to Las Vegas during your literal birthday and not bring you? Absurd. It’ll never catch on.”

Riley laughed, wrapping her own arm tightly around Gianna’s waist and tugging her against her as closely as she could. Instinctively, she turned into Gianna’s light touch as her girlfriend reached up to cup her jaw, lightly stroking her thumb over Riley’s cheek.

And even though she’d been joking only moments ago, Riley could see the very serious look in her eyes as she murmured, “Plus, it’s not just about this being your birthday, carina. You’ve been so stressed with work in the last few weeks, working that story, helping Caterina and Maren… you needed a little getaway. Hence, you needed this.”

Gianna wasn’t wrong.

Riley, as she’d combed through all of her information leads for stories earlier this month, had come across the plight of Caterina. Whose long-term partner, Maren, had gotten into a car accident, subsequently falling into a coma. By the time Caterina had been notified, she then hadn’t been allowed in Maren’s ICU room, as it had been denoted as family only .

Even though they lived together, even though they’d been together for over four years, their lack of legality and a seriously homophobic hospital administrator had made a traumatic situation even worse.

It hadn’t reached any large stations, but Caterina had made a plea for help on social media, and Riley’s attention had been snagged. As had her empathy.

She’d worked with Caterina, gaining viral attention on their GoFundMe and calling out the hospital. And though Maren’s story did have a tentatively happy ending, working on that ongoing story, going on that journey with Caterina, had taken a serious toll on Riley’s mental and emotional energy.

“I love how much you care and want to make things right for people,” Gianna continued, her voice so soft. Just as soft as the slide of her thumb against Riley’s cheekbone. “But I also know that it’s my job to make sure things are right with you. No matter what’s going on with my work stuff.”

God. Riley’s heart thudded in her chest, and she didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with Gianna, but somehow, she was.

She felt that way all of the time.

Before their relationship had turned romantic, Riley wouldn’t have thought she’d be able to love Gianna even more than she did. Then she’d fallen in love with her.

She wouldn’t have thought she’d be able to spend more time with Gianna because they’d already spent at least half of their free time together. But within the first couple months of officially being together, she found that she’d essentially moved into Gianna’s house without either of them even realizing that she was practically living there.

Every day that went by, she swore that she felt more for this woman who had already been by her side for over ten years.

It was something she had never felt with anyone . Honestly, it was a phenomenon she hadn’t even known could exist.

And the thought slid into her mind all over again – or maybe it never even left. This time, Riley didn’t have any control to hold it back. She just couldn’t. She didn’t want to.

“I want to marry you.”

Gianna’s smile softened, the teasing glint falling away from her gaze, leaving only pure warmth. “I want that, too. As I told you on our first date, like a crazy person.”

“No,” Riley shook her head, not even laughing at the reminder of Gianna’s first-date ramble. She swallowed hard as she felt her heart leaping in her chest. “Like… I want to marry you , and I don’t want to wait.”

Gianna’s smile slowly faded entirely, the look in her eyes turning incredibly serious. “Are you telling me that you want to get married here? In Vegas? Like, now?”

When repeated back to her like that, Riley felt like it should have sounded crazy. But it did. It really didn’t. It sounded right , and she found herself nodding.

Gianna closed her eyes tightly before opening them and leveling Riley with a look, sliding her arm off of Riley’s shoulders so she could face her head-on. “Don’t mess with me here.”

“I’m not messing with you,” she insisted, feeling the truth of that pulse through her veins, and she reached for Gianna’s hands. She’d gotten so used to feeling them on her own. “I know this might make me sound like the crazy person, but – it’s been something that’s been in the back of my mind ever since Caterina and Maren’s story. I want to get the phone call. If something happens to you, I need to get the phone call. I need to be in the room. Legally, indisputably. The world is terrifying, and anything could happen at any time. I want to be in the room. And I want you to be in my room.”

“I do, too,” Gianna assured her, squeezing her hand around Riley’s with the strength in her voice. “God fucking help anyone who tried to keep me away.”

“And if we do it more traditionally, it’s going to become a whole thing ,” she vaguely gestured with her free hand. “Where parents are going to get involved, with guest lists and caterers and venues and headaches and publicity.” The more Riley spoke, the more convinced she became. “I don’t want stress or complications or the craziness. I just want… you.”

“You know, you don’t have to convince me,” Gianna said, eyes searching Riley’s, her lips pulling into the widest, brightest smile. “I’d marry you any day, any time. I just want to make sure it’s what you want.”

“I’ve never been more sure of wanting someone in my life.”

“It’s also nice because I have the crazy-person rights reserved for our first date, and now you have the crazy ramble rights for our engagement.” Gianna laughed softly, seeming to absolutely glow .

And Riley didn’t refute her, as she used their hands to tug Gianna down and capture her lips with her own.

Riley didn’t need to have shared a womb with Ellie to see the doubt in her eyes an hour later as they stood in one of the clothing stores in the shopping complex of the hotel.

Before answering her sister, she frowned thoughtfully in the mirror at her reflection.

While she was about to get married, unplanned, in a chapel in Vegas, there were some traditions Riley wanted to uphold. And wearing a white dress was one of them.

“Can you just – can you just run me through everything again?” Ellie asked, from where she sat on one of the chairs in the dressing room.

Riley paused from appraising this particular dress – sweetheart neckline, sheer lace long sleeves, stopping just above her knee… it was a big contender – and moved to sit in the chair next to her sister.

Allaying Ellie’s anxieties was something she could do, especially since this was something she very much wanted Ellie to celebrate and enjoy along with her.

“Gianna and I want to get married while we’re here. We decided we wanted to do it quick and easy and with only our favorite people.” She smiled, reaching out and placing her hand on her twin’s knee, rubbing lightly. “You, Mia, and Joel are the people we need for this, and we’re all here. It’s kind of… perfect.”

The line between Ellie’s eyebrows did not dissipate.

Riley nodded and kept going, “The clerk’s office here in Vegas is open until midnight, so we went down and filed for our same-day license. On the way back is when we asked all of you to meet us in the lobby.”

Ellie slowly nodded, signifying that she was following along despite not saying a word.

“We are planning on doing a bigger ceremony later in the year so that Mom and Gianna’s grandmother can come, as well as everyone else. And that’s where we’re going to start wearing wedding rings.”

Really, as soon as they decided they would get married, the rest of these details had become crystal clear to both of them. If Riley had needed any other sign that this was right , there it was.

“Then why did we just go to the jeweler?” Ellie asked, gesturing at the small, simple white bag that contained the engagement ring Riley had purchased for Gianna.

And just the thought of the ring made her stomach flutter in anticipation all over again.

“Because we’re going to exchange those rings tonight. Gianna is getting my ring and her dress now, and we’re going to meet in the chapel in…” She checked the time on her phone. “An hour.”

That part of the plan had also been easy to figure out. They wanted to surprise one another with the rings, and they both wanted to pick out the ring they felt suited to each other. They both wanted to surprise one another with their dress choices.

It had made sense for them to separate, then, after informing their companions of their plan for the evening.

Riley had taken Ellie with her, both wanting the company and knowing that Ellie would have many questions. Gianna was going to take Joel, who had been thrilled . Mia had also gone with Gianna and Joel, graciously inferring that she was going to run interference between Joel and Gianna so that Joel’s excitement didn’t impede Gianna’s ability to get everything done.

God. She was going to marry Gianna M?kinen in an hour.

The rush that gave her was so heady that it stole her breath.

“And you didn’t have any trouble booking a time at the chapel?”

Riley sent her sister an exasperated look. “El. It’s Gianna. Getting a timeslot for tonight was maybe the easiest part of the entire plan for her.”

Which was no exaggeration. Gianna’s name, her charm, and her influence opened many doors. And she was not above using them in times like these.

And Riley would be lying if she said that watching Gianna talk their way into getting married at one of the busiest chapels in Vegas at the last minute hadn’t been… appealing.

Bearing witness to Gianna’s charismatic and quick-talking abilities had always been a sight to behold. Being incredibly attracted to Gianna had turned the heat up on that admiration.

Swallowing at the thought, she cleared her throat and pushed herself back into the moment.

Ellie’s frown had lessened slightly, but she was still twisting her engagement ring back and forth. “I mean… it’s just – it’s quick.” She seemed to make herself say the words, glancing at Riley after with a wince. “I don’t mean that you shouldn’t do it. I only mean that… you weren’t planning on doing this before we came? And now – and you and Gianna have only been together for a short time, so…”

She trailed off, nodding at her own words.

And Riley’s affection for her sister settled warmly inside of her as she met Ellie’s comments with her own accepting nod. “You wouldn’t be Ellie Beckett if you weren’t thinking about that,” she acknowledged, and she wasn’t upset in the least for Ellie actually voicing it because she knew very well that Ellie said it from a place of love for both her and Gianna.

Still, after a beat, Riley shook her head and quietly said, “But I don’t think quick is the right word here. It’s impulsive, maybe, but it’s not quick.”

As if summoned by those words, snapshots of her relationship with Gianna flashed through her mind. From that first day, they’d met, on this literal day thirteen years ago, through being roommates for years, to the traditions they’d built, into the turns their relationship had taken in the last year.

Her heart felt full with them, and the emotion swept through her as she said, “Gianna has been the most important person to me for over ten years. I know literally everything there is to know about her, and she knows the same for me. So… maybe we have only been in a romantic relationship for a relatively short time, but it doesn’t change the fact that Gianna and I are closer and more embedded in each other’s lives than a lot of couples who have been together for three times longer than we have.”

She held Ellie’s unwavering gaze so that she could see just how real this was for her. How this wasn’t some flight of fancy she was swept up in.

“We don’t have to get married right here, right now. But even if we waited another year or for five more years, there is nothing that I could learn about Gianna that I don’t already know,” she asserted, confidently. “I’m more sure about that than I am of anything else in the entire world.”

The more she spoke, the more that concerned crinkle between Ellie’s eyebrows disappeared, and by the time she was done, Ellie wasn’t frowning anymore. She studied Riley’s face carefully, and Riley knew she was contemplating what she’d said.

“Let me ask you – and I want you to be brutally honest.” Riley licked her lips, not sure if she’d ever been more serious in her life, as she waited for Ellie’s go-ahead to continue. “Do you think that my relationship with Gianna is going to end in any other way but this? Speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

Slowly, Ellie’s hand landed on the one Riley still had resting on her knee. “No,” she answered several seconds later, her voice quiet. “I really don’t.”

And even though Riley had believed that would be the answer, even though she knew that to be true, hearing Ellie’s agreement – her approval – felt like Riley had gotten the final thing checked off of her list.

She turned to look at the mirror in front of them.

Technically, she supposed, this dress would be the final thing.

Riley had wondered, occasionally, what she would feel the day she got married – if it turned out that she would ever get married.

And even though she’d imagined she’d feel excited, she never knew it would feel like this .

This feeling like she was about to float out of the building, this giddy anticipation coursing through her.

She was getting married to Gianna.

She and Joel were now waiting with the officiant, as Gianna had texted her that she would come down a minute later for “the full wedding aisle effect.”

God, she loved her.

Riley pulled her expectant gaze away from the end of the aisle when she heard Joel sniffle.

Then did a double take, confused. “Are you crying? Are you okay?”

He nodded, swiping his hand hastily over his eyes. “I’m great, I just – you and Gianna are so meant to be. You’re going to be so happy together, and it’s so rare to have what you two have, and I’ve been able to see the entire journey… I just…” He cleared his throat and took in a deep breath. “I’m good.”

Affection washed over her as she reached out and gently squeezed his wrist. “I get it.”

With all of the feelings coursing through her, she wouldn’t be shocked if she started crying soon, either. She –

She had no thoughts when Gianna appeared at the end of the aisle.

Wearing a long, backless white silk dress – somehow both classic and modern – and her hair curled, the sight of her made Riley choke on the breath she’d taken in.

Gianna never failed to be the most beautiful person in any room. And she was going to marry Riley in mere minutes.

“Are you okay?” Joel leaned in and whispered.

Riley couldn’t find the words to answer aloud. They didn’t exist.

Riley wasn’t sure of anything other than Gianna existed in the following minutes. All she could feel was amazement, wonder, and love twisting inside her.

She only touched back down in reality, nearing the end of the ceremony, when Gianna spoke, “I know we didn’t discuss it, given that we only decided to do this a few hours ago.” She smiled brightly at their officiant before settling her gaze on Riley. “But I do have vows I want to make.” She squeezed Riley’s hands, which fit so perfectly in hers. “You don’t have to say anything; I know you don’t like public speaking, and–”

“I have vows, too,” she cut in, feeling absolutely, utterly certain. “And I want to say them.”

No, she didn’t have anything pre-planned. And no, she did not like public speaking.

But, at this moment, none of that mattered.

“Gianna No-Middle-Name M?kinen,” Riley began, feeling her heart flutter in her chest. Not from nerves but excitement. “I don’t need to spend days or weeks or even hours trying to figure out my feelings for you or how to say them. That’s never been the issue between us.”

She paused, taking a second to look at Gianna. To take in this moment .

“At the beginning of our… journey… last year,” she referenced, feeling a small bubble of laughter climb out of her throat. “You told me that I should never be less picky, in relationships. I should only be with someone I want to talk to after a long day, not just someone I want to want.”

For some reason, even though she hadn’t at all pictured Gianna romantically at that time, Riley could hear those words as clear as day.

“No one fits that description more than you, and I hope you know it. I know you’ve been with me through every twist and turn in relationships throughout our adult lives, and you always – always – implored that I–” Riley cut herself off, shaking her head with another laugh. “Sorry, not implored. You always demanded that I never settle for anyone who makes me feel any less than the best thing that’s ever happened to them.”

“Damn right,” Gianna whispered, a sexy, self-satisfied smirk on her lips.

Riley found herself smiling back, waiting a few seconds before she seriously confessed, “Your words were something I wanted to believe I could find but didn’t actually think was possible. I’m just… an ordinary person. Somewhat of a workaholic. Maybe too interested in reality dating shows. And, if past relationships were anything to go by, a little too honest about my thoughts and expectations.”

Her blood rushed through her ears as all semblance of laughter fell away, and she was left with this whole-body love for the woman in front of her.

“You are the person I needed. And every day, I’m so glad that I could finally open my eyes and see it. To see you. See you as not only my best friend who has a beautiful heart and my favorite sense of humor, with whom I align so perfectly, but as the partner I didn’t think was a reality.”

The power of that, how strongly she felt those words, almost made her weak in the knees. Like all the blood in her circulation was concentrated so strongly in her heart, as if it got bigger every second she stood at the altar.

And she could see it reflected in Gianna’s eyes. In those beautiful, deep blue eyes that were slightly watery after Riley finished speaking.

“Riley Jane Beckett,” Gianna started, and her smile dimmed. It didn’t disappear, but that blinding, charismatic aspect she often wore around most people – even their friends – melted away, leaving only the small, sweet, genuine smile. One she wore during their laundry nights or when they drank their coffee together in the morning.

Riley felt it right down to her toes.

“Sometimes, I don’t know what I could say to you about how I feel about you that I haven’t said already. But, then, every day, I find more words to express how much I love you.” She stroked her thumbs softly over Riley’s knuckles. “And it brings me back to when we became really close, so long ago. I’d never had a friend like you in my life. Never had a person like you in my life. Someone who just wanted to… spend time with me.”

The vulnerability that edged into Gianna’s tone tugged at something deep inside of Riley, and she was the one who squeezed Gianna’s hands then. She needed to make sure she knew Riley was here, at this moment, as her anchor.

“Sometimes, back then, I’d think – is today going to be the day that Riley and I don’t have anything to talk about anymore? It’s not like we were doing things all of the time, you know? Most of those days were just us… living life,” Gianna’s voice got quiet, thoughtful, as she looked down at their feet for a moment. When she looked back up, her blue eyes were so clear and so deep as they intently captured Riley’s. “But we never ran out of things to talk about. Doing laundry with you, watching television with you, having late-night talks… going out, staying in – I realized that it didn’t matter what we did. That we could do absolutely nothing, but as long as I was doing it with you, it was what I wanted to be doing.”

Riley didn’t know when the tears sprung into her eyes, but she had to blink them back. She didn’t know when her heart started pounding so hard in her chest.

Somehow, she hadn’t realized that it would feel like a big deal when she'd suggested they get married. Conceptually, sure, marriage was “a big deal.”

But it hadn’t felt like it earlier. Getting married to Gianna had simply felt like the easy, no-brainer next step.

And it was.

But right now, as she grasped tightly at Gianna’s hands in her own, she felt the gravity of it all.

“And I’ve known it every day since. Living life with you has been my dream. I just never knew it would get to come true like this. A literal dream come true,” Gianna finished with a murmur, her eyes searching Riley’s.

The raw honesty in them reached somewhere deep inside Riley, grabbed, and held tightly. She didn’t think that hold would ever loosen.

And she didn’t want it to.