Page 233 of Repairing the Wreckage

“You already do.”

Our balloon descends, the city lights becoming brighter before we veer toward the desert. The pilot lands smoothly and points out a small table with a bucket and container sitting on top.

“Thank you,” Griff says to the pilot as we step out of the basket. The pilot hands him something and then Griff leads me to the table.

He picks up the chilled glass bottle. “It’s sparkling cider,” he assures me.

“Oh!” I lean in closer. “I wasn’t going to tell anyone if it wasn’t.”

He chuckles and pops the top, pouring it into two champagne flutes and handing one to me. “To building a lifetime of memories just like this,” I say.

“To building a life together,” he adds.

We clink our glasses together and sip the sweet, bubbly cider.

It’s still too dark to inspect my ring, but the weight of it on my finger reminds me of all it symbolizes.

“Oh, here.” Griff picks up a square white box on the table and peels the lid back, revealing six plump strawberries drenched in dark and white chocolate.

My mouth waters. “They look so good.” I pluck the smallest one out of the box and carefully take a bite. Strawberry juice runs down my chin and Griff swoops closer, kissing it away.

Laughing, I feed him the other half of the strawberry. My fingers curl in his T-shirt and I tug him closer to kiss me. The sparkling of my ring catches my eye. “It’s so pretty. How’d you know I’d love it so much?”

“I was hoping I got it right.” He takes my hand, admiring the symbol of his promise to me. “Did you see the little hidden halo of diamonds under the stone? I thought that was so cool.”

“What? No! Is that why it’s so extra sparkly?”

He nods, a pleased gleam in his eyes.

“Is this what you were doing this morning?” I ask, realization setting in.

He gives me a sheepish smile. “Yes. I’m shocked Remy didn’t spill it.”

My jaw drops. “You told him?”

He tilts his head. “Yeah, I did.” He holds his hands up. “I didn’t ask his permission. But yeah, I told him what I was planning.”

My heart squeezes in the best way. “This morning, I told him we were planning to get married in two years and I thought he was going to have a heart attack at first. But he seemed to recover awfully fast. Now I know why.”

Griff shakes his head like he’s still processing tonight. “I’m going to be your husband,” he says with the sweetest, goofiest grin on his face.

“Yes, you are.” I loop my arms around his neck and pull him down for more kisses. “And I’m going to be your wife.”

“I’ll protect you and love you for the rest of my life, Muffin.”

“I know you will. I love you so much.” I trail my lips along his jaw. “I may not have your fists or muscles.” I squeeze his bicep. “But I’ll always have your back.”

“That’s all I need.” He touches his lips to mine to seal our deal. “You and me against the world.”

* * *

Jigsaw’s story is coming next!

Twist the Knife is available for preorder now!

Click here.

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Eraser, Griff, and Vapors time at Castle Correctional,

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