Page 123 of Gathered Sparkle

His grin spreads wide. “Hell, yes, I did.”

We bring everything down to the van, where Sylus tosses the bag in the back before hopping in. The drive is short, and I manage it in the passenger seat with a little less anxiety this time, though my fingers still hover over the bracelet.

Finally, we pull up to a small electronics shop near the end of the Strip. Sylus leads the way inside, rattling off terms I don’t understand to the guy behind the counter. They talk like they’re old friends, and while they chat, I wander to the front windows, watching the crowds stroll up and down the Strip—tourists snapping pictures, couples holding hands, groups of friends laughing, Vegas in all its chaotic glory.

Across the street is an old-school arcade with a bright pink vending machine outside. A couple stands in front of it, laughing as they type something into the keypad. The machine spits outa strip of paper, and they share a deep kiss, then walk off, beaming.

“What’s so interesting?” Sylus’s voice is right in my ear, and I jump, spinning around to find him standing there with a cardboard box in his hands, grinning like he caught me red-handed.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, glancing at the machine again and back at him.

Sylus follows my gaze, and his grin spreads. “We’re done here,” he announces abruptly, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the van. I stumble slightly, caught off guard, as he sets the box down in the back before turning to me again. His hand doesn’t let go of mine as he glances left, then right, and then pulls me across the street.

“Come on, Sparkle,” he says teasingly. “Let’s do something stupid.”

I arch an eyebrow, trying to keep up with his long strides. “I could just doyou,”

He throws his head back with a wicked laugh that sends a thrill skittering down my spine. “Or…you could marry me, baby.”

I skid to a stop as we reach the pink vending machine, and my eyes flick to the glowing screen. Heart-shaped speakers frame the display, and bold letters ask,Is today your wedding day?

“It’s not legal,” Sylus reassures me quickly, watching me closely. His voice softens, the teasing edge melting away. “Just fun. But, God, I want to marry you. Marry me, Sparkle?”

Marry me.

It’s not real, not legal, just another one of his impulsive, crazy ideas, but he isn’t joking. Not entirely.

It’s ridiculous, really. Sylus Walker, standing in front of a pink vending machine, proposes the most absurd thing withabsolute sincerity. And yet, my heart trips over itself, aching in a way that terrifies me.

Because, in some reckless corner of my mind, I don’t want to say no.

I tell myself it’s the adrenaline, the rush of doing something absurd and spontaneous, but deep down, I know better. This man has wormed his way into places I’ve kept guarded for years, and the thought of being his, even like this, has me spiraling in ways I can’t even begin to untangle.

“Tell me, baby,” he murmurs, stepping closer. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing along my skin and making my heart ache, his lips barely grazing mine.“Yes, no, maybe so?”

“Yes,” I breathe out, the word escaping before I can think. It’s instinctive, unfiltered, and the moment it’s out, his lips are on mine.

The kiss is hard, sudden, and utterly consuming. It’s not just a kiss.

It’s a promise.

A claiming.

A declaration.

His hand slips to the back of my neck, holding me close as if he’s afraid I might disappear.

I won’t.

Never again.

When he finally pulls back, his breath mingles with mine as he grins. “God, I love you,” he whispers, the words so soft I almost don’t catch them. Almost. But they settle deep in my chest, igniting something I’ve been too scared to name until now. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me next to him in front of the machine, his grin wide enough to light up the Strip. “Let’s do this.”

The screen of the machine flickers to life when he pushes the start button.

Welcome!

Let’s get married.

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