Page 23 of Rules We Break

River stands above us, looking ridiculous in his outfit. My smile is cut off when he drops to one knee in front of us, his expression dead serious and holds out a box to Mia.

She sucks in a breath. Her body practically vibrates in anticipation as he slowly opens it, revealing a thin silver band. She reaches for it and he clamps the lid shut.

“Mia, I know nothing about us is traditional and you’ve mentioned not wanting to get married, but I’m hoping you’ll take my ring and accept me as one of your partners for life.”

“Yes.” She practically screams it, and jumps into his arms, nearly knocking them both over as she kisses him.

My chest is warm, happiness bubbling under my ribs, but there’s also a darker worrying feeling in my gut. One that I’ve never had with them until now. I clamp it down. They deserve this moment.

“I’ll just grab us coffees.” I start to stand giving them space, but River grips my hand and squeezes.

“Stay.” he says, and gently lifts Mia off his lap so she’s sitting on the floor beside him.

I drop back down, fighting against the uncomfortable feeling of imbalance I know I need to get over. I look toward the door. I just want to get out of this fucking room.

“Alex.” River’s tone is soft, and pulls my attention back to him. He’s holding another small box and my heart’s about to pound out of my chest, as what’s happening slams into me. “I’ve always known you’d be my best friend, but will you be my partner for life too?”

I reach down, grab the collar of his ridiculous sweater and haul him up to me. “Fuck, I love you.”

I kiss him hard, and all feeling of inadequacy erases from my body. River lets me control the kiss for several seconds, then takes over. He strokes his tongue deep into my mouth before sucking mine into his. I groan and he pulls off, giving me a soft smile.

“Was that a yes?” he asks.

“It’s a fuck yes.” I say stealing another kiss, before he pulls away.

“Um…” Mia shifts. “What about you? I want you to wear a ring.”

The idea of them both wearing my ring sends a thrill through me.

“I want that too. Which is why I took the liberty of having a third band made.” He holds up his left hand and sure enough, there’s a silver band circling his ring finger.

“That’s fucking hot.” I say and Mia agrees.

“Agreed.” River says, his voice dark. “Now put yours on.”

I lift my ring from its box delicately. It’s slightly wider than Mia’s but looks identical to River’s. The light catches on a small engraving.

Yours, Mine, Ours

CHAPTER8

MIA

We pullinto Lucas and Piper’s neighborhood, snow crunching under our tires, and my mouth falls open. We haven’t been back since this summer’s Prosthetics For Kids kickoff event and I wasn’t prepared for how pretty the streets would look, lined with last night's heavy snowfall. Rooftops lined with powder and icicles hanging from eaves; the morning sun sparkles off everything. We aren’t far from the city center, but with one turn onto their street, the world has been transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland.

You’d think, with the architecture varying with each home, it would be a visual disaster, but somehow, having a modern traditional house next door to a craftsman works here. I gaze through open windows as we pass by, imagining one of these places is ours.

Up ahead there’s a for sale sign and I’m leaning so far forward my nose touches the cool window.

“See something you like, Love?” I lean away from the door and shrug.

“Just daydreaming. It’s stunning here.”

River tilts his head, scanning my face. “It is.”

We drive past the house for sale, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s modern and organic and it reminds me so much of Napa that my heart squeezes in my chest. We don’t have a reason to move. River’s apartment is more than enough for the three of us. When you add in Alex’s, it’s almost too much, but I don’t look away as we drive by, instead swiveling in my seat to get one last look.

Alex turns into Lucas and Piper’s driveway. Their home is a stunning two-level with taupe siding and a wrap around porch. Their Christmas lights are buried beneath snow, giving the powder a multi-color shine.

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