Page 10 of The Next Chapters

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.”

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