Page 153 of Unhinged

Greg’s eyes are teary, but mine are swimming pools. I try a couple times to speak, only to sob my reply. “This is all I wanted with you, Greg. From the day we met, I wanted to be yours forever, but I annoyed you and didn’t think you wanted a college girl.”

“You didn’t annoy me. You made me feel shit I didn’t know how to feel. I thought you were so pretty, and I crushed on you, but I resisted because…”

I reach for a tissue and hand one to Greg. “If you love me, then why didn’t you want us to refer to each other as husband and wife or live together?”

“Because I didn’t want to get addicted to a fake reality and love being married to you, only for it to disappear after a year.”

I nod with a frown. “I get it. It scared me, too, but I want to be your wife. For real. Forever.”

Greg grins and opens his hand to show me two silver rings. I look up at him. “No way! Are those wedding bands?”

He nods. “I bought each of us one. I borrowed your mood ring to size yours, so thanks for leaving it in my bathroom. They’re nothing fancy, and maybe we can upgrade later, but I want the world to know we’re married and in love. But we skipped one huge vow. That’s why Vaughn is here. You know he’ll forever harp on us to keep our promise.”

Amos says, “Absolutely. You two have always belonged together.”

Greg smirks. “Of course, the know-it-all would say that.”

“It’s the truth. Simone saw it, but you’re obtuse.”

“Am not.” Greg picks up the smaller ring, setting the bigger one next to him on the bed. He then picks up my left hand. “You’ll have to remove your mood ring.”

“Oh!” I slide it off, but since I’m wearing another ring on my right ring finger, I set it on my nightstand. He takes my left hand with his left, rubbing his fingers over my ring finger. In his right hand, he holds the ring. His voice is thick when he slides the ring onto my finger. “Simone Amanda Rodwell, I vow to you my fidelity, faithfulness, and to forsake all others. I swear you can put your trust in me and that I’ll always protect you. I’ll love you forever as my wife and best friend. In case you missed it, you’re my soulmate, buttercup.”

I whisper, “I am?”

Greg grins. “Yeah. I figured that out on our date.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Which part?”

“Outside IHOP, after French toast.”

I raise both eyebrows, shocked because I was a blubbering mess. Feeling the ring, I look down at it. It’s a plain silver ring, maybe white gold. I usually go for fancy, but its simple symbolism is my world.

I wipe my eyes and hold out my hand for him. Greg says, “You don’t have to do it if you’re not ready. I sprung this on you, so—”

“Hand me the ring, dumpling.”

Amos giggles, and Greg twists to flip him off, making me laugh more. I take Greg’s left hand, coaxing him to turn back to me. Overwhelmed, I pause. “I want to make sure this is what you really want. You say it is, but I still wonder if I pressured you or if you only feel something for me because I’ve helped you.”

“You didn’t pressure me. I love you, Simone, and I mean that. I loved you before all the shit went down between us. You stole my heart when you stole my hummus. It just took a little longer for me to see it.”

Amos coughs, “Obtuse.”

Greg flips him off again with his free hand but doesn’t turn away this time. I take a deep breath as I stroke his ring finger. “Gregory Richard Rodwell, I will never stray because you give me all the love I’ll ever need. I felt it. I just hoped I wasn’t wrong.” I slide the ring onto his finger. A sob sticks in my throat, and my voice trembles. “I vow to you my fidelity, my faithfulness, and to forsake all others,” I say, repeating what he said but meaning every word. I hold on to his ring finger and stroke his ring. “You’re my husband, and I promise you can trust me with your love forever. I vow to always protect you too. I fell in love with my best friend and soulmate. I’ll keep all my promises, swizzle stick.”

Greg looks at his ring, and I look at mine. This feels more real now.

We look at each other at the same time, and Greg puts his hands on the sides of my head and kisses me with such ferocity that I feel it in my underwear.

Amos clears his throat. “Congratulations, Greg and Simone. I’m heading to the bar to see if Milt needs help. I’ll give you a couple of hours alone. That should be enough, right?”

I sit back to answer, “Yes, Amos. Thank you!”

“Okay, but we have neighbors.”

I giggle as Greg pulls me back to him, saying, “Thanks, Vaughn, for everything. Now get the fuck out.”

Kissing Greg, I wave my hand in the air as a goodbye to Amos. I hear his small laugh as he takes Frenchie with him out of the room and closes the door.

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