Page 149 of Gabriel

I rested my head against his shoulder and exhaled. Let the weight press out of my ribs and into him. Let the quiet become something less oppressive. Just this once.

“We’re still getting married, right?” he asked casually, like he wasn’t talking about a life-altering decision. “Unless the mermaid-ruffle thing and Liana’s nagging changed your mind.”

I laughed into his shirt. “It strengthened my resolve, actually.”

“Excellent.” He sounded relieved.

“I’m never going to change my mind about you, Gabriel,” I assured him softly. “No matter what. I’m just terrified of normalcy, and this—us—is so normal.”

He smiled. “Welcome to my world,preciosa. You can thank Sailor’s upbringing for the normal.”

I chuckled.

“I feel like mine was anything but normal.” He nodded as if he understood, and I really thought he did. “My parents didn’t bother to raise me like a girly girl, recognizing it wouldn’t work for me. Maybe it was part of Mother Liana’s influence, or simply just who I am.”

“Probably a little bit of everything,” he said softly.

“Yeah, probably.”

“But you do know I wouldn’t have you any other way, right?”

Gosh, Gabriel knew how to say all the right things, and I loved him for it.

“Are you sure?” I whispered.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.”

I smiled happily.

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward this time. It was gentle, soft around the edges.

Gabriel reached forward, his fingers brushing lightly across the surface of the low marble coffee table until they landed on a small, smooth object I hadn’t noticed before.

“What’s this?” I questioned when he held it out to me.

He smiled. “Open it and see.”

He held the velvet box with both hands. Like it was something sacred. Like I was. I reached for it and started unwrapping it, a gasp tearing from my lips.

“Do you like it?” he asked, his voice soft, almost uncertain. So unlike his usually unshakable confidence.

I opened my mouth, but for a second, no words came out. My throat tightened and my heart thudded in that uneven way it always did around him.

“I know you’re not into anything flashy,” he continued, nervously rubbing his thumb on his thigh. “I was really specific—painfully specific—because I wanted it to feel like… you. Quiet but strong. Simple but impossible to overlook.” He smiled faintly. “One ring to bind us.”

That made me laugh, even as my eyes stung.

“I love it,” I breathed. My fingers trembled as I reached for the delicate band. It was elegant white gold, set with a gentle arc of tiny diamonds that caught the light without screaming for attention. “It’s perfect. Understated, stunning.”

“I’m glad,” he murmured, relief softening his features.

I held the ring up, admiring the way it glittered. A promise made solid. “This’ll be the only ring I ever wear. Forever.”

He grinned. “Guess that means I did okay, huh?”

“You did better than okay. You picked a ring I want to be buried with.”

His brow lifted. “Planning your funeral already? Damn, marriageisserious.”