Page 124 of Gathered Sparkle

Name of the Groom?

Sylus types in his name with a grin spreading over his whole face.

Sylus Walker.

The screen blinks, then moves to the next question.

Name of the Bride?

Sylus nudges me with his shoulder when I hesitate. “Your turn, Sparkle.”

My fingers hover over the keypad. A nervous laugh bubbles up, but I quickly swallow it, trying to steady the pounding of my heart. It’s just a joke, a silly moment in a city full of them.

But I want this.

Novalee Sparkle Evans

The screen changes again.

Say yes, share your vows, and kiss the bride!

Two bigYESbuttons light up beneath the question, one for each of us. Sylus presses his without a second’s hesitation. I glance at him, my finger hovering over mine. The way he looks at me, so sure, so open, makes me press the button.

The machine chimes in cheerful confirmation.

Vows.

I need a vow.

My throat feels dry as I clear it, suddenly hyperaware of how fast my heart is beating. My gaze locks on his, and all the teasing falls away. It’s just us, standing on a street corner, making promises to a machine. And yet, it feels like more.

I take a breath, and the words come without me even thinking. “You’re my person. Forever. I’ll never get enough of you.”

His grin softens, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say his gray eyes have a sheen of tears in them. He holds out his pinky, and I hook mine around it. “You’re not just my person. You’re the owner of my heart.You own me.”

We press our joined fingers to our lips, sealing the vows with a shared breath of laughter before Sylus gives me the softest kiss he’s ever given me.

A sudden click pulls us apart, both of us startled. I blink, my lips still tingling from the kiss.

“What was that?” I ask, glancing around.

Sylus grins as the machine spits out a glossy photo. He snatches it up and hands it to me with a flourish. It’s us, pinkies intertwined, kissing like the world around us doesn’t exist. Smiling against each other’s lips. We look… happy. Genuinely, stupidly happy. And the sight of it does something to my chest, like my heart’s trying to burst through my ribs.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

The machine hums again, spitting out a second piece of paper. Its tiny printer whirs, and Sylus grabs the paper eagerly.

Certificate of Marriage for Novalee Sparkle Evans and Sylus Walker.

He looks at it like he’s won the lottery, his grin so wide it’s almost boyish. “You can keep the picture.” He holds the certificate up triumphantly. “I’m keeping the piece of paper that tells me you’re mine.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And yet, you said yes.” His eyes mischievously glint as he folds the paper with deliberate care and slides it into his wallet like it’s a priceless treasure.

He grabs my hand again and pulls me across the street to the van. Opening the door with a casual swing, he gestures for me to climb in. “Come on,wifey. Let’s get you home. I need to consummate this union.”

I snort. “Ridiculous indeed.”

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