Page 26 of Pretty Broken Doll

Shilo - One Year Later

“ S top fidgeting, you look fine.”

“I know that,” I mumble, running my free hand down the front of my soft pantsuit, the other warm and secure in Ryann’s grip. “I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about falling on my face.”

Ryann raises a brow, looking suave in a loose button-up as he tucks a strand of ash-brown hair behind my ear. “If anyone else but me pulls your pants down, they’ll get a lengthy hospital stay and permanent feeding tube.”

Snorting, I pull on my robe and graduation cap as I roll my eyes. Seriously, who decided it was a good idea to make us all look like wizards? Why is this robe so long? I’m definitely going to trip.

Husky Stadium buzzes with excitement, and after one last kiss on Ryann’s lips, I join my classmates in line, all of us bouncing on our feet to accept that degree. It’s been a wild year. Not only am I getting my Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, but I’m starting my first full-time job on Monday at CalTek. As a software developer. And not just because my partner is the joint CEO.

I spent the last twelve months proving myself to Liza, taking the lead on projects, helping wherever I could. I earned this position, and I’m honestly pretty proud of myself. I also get to work from mine and Ryann’s condo twice a week. She offered to make the position fully remote, but after spending so much time getting to know the other developers, I decided I didn’t need to. I actually wanted to hang out with them at work. I guess they’re not so bad.

As we take our places beside the stage, my gaze sweeps the crowd, finding my mom and Dad first. Paige and Declan, newly engaged, stand beside them, along with KC, Carpenter, and Tina. The three of them graduated last year, and they’d dragged me to Kintsugi to celebrate. We have a whole LAN party planned tonight since they know crowds aren’t my thing—just us, our computers, and League of Legends. I can’t wait.

Last, my eyes catch Ryann’s, and my stomach flutters as he smiles at me from across the stadium. Almost two years now, and he still makes me feel like I’m on a roller-coaster every time I look at him. We’ve got our own plans for later after I finish hanging out with my friends, and I can’t wait for that either. It’s going to involve lots of nakedness and lube. Massive amounts of lube.

The line starts moving, and UDub’s dean announces names alphabetically. Before I know it, my time is up.

“Shilo Reed.”

For a split second, I freeze. But then adrenaline kicks in, and I’m walking up to the stage, trying not to look weird as I avoid the hem of my robe. Mom’s joyous scream hits my ears over the audience, and I shake hands with the dean— who’s probably forgotten my name already—before grabbing my diploma quickly.

As I turn to face the crowd, I spot Ryann waving at me, and I try to be cool when I wave back, but fail miserably. I probably look like a five-year-old who just saw Santa.

Stepping carefully, and probably way too slowly, off the stage, I approach my seat, sighing in relief.

I didn’t even trip. Nothing embarrassing happened.

Honestly, with how much I worried about it, the whole thing feels anticlimactic.

Once all the names are announced, we stand and toss our caps, though I don’t toss mine very far. That shit was expensive as hell, and KC stitched my name on it with intricate patterns of computer code. I want to keep it forever.

And with that… it’s done. I’m a college graduate. Holy smokes.

Since I attended classes in person for my final semester, a few of my classmates pat me on the back, and then I’m swept up into a crushing hug by Dad. Mom follows, planting kisses on my cheeks that make me groan in embarrassment, passing me down the line of family and friends until, finally, I’m in Ryann’s arms.

“I’m so proud of you, doll,” he whispers with soft kisses. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

He holds me tightly, and I melt into his familiar touch, feeling grounded. I hope this feeling never ends.

“My little Iggy is all grown up,” Paige sniffles, snapping photos on her phone. “Remember when you made me hold your hand during your college tour?”

Carpenter punches my shoulder, barking out a laugh, and I scowl at my sister.

“Now he’ll never forget that. Thanks.”

He grabs my hand, cradling it to his chest with a grin. “Poor, sweet Shilo. Need me to take you to the bathroom? I can aim it for you.”

“I don’t think so,” Ryann growls, snatching my hand back, and KC whistles.

“This possessive side of you is hot, Ry. I need to find me a man like that.”

Now Carpenter’s the one scowling, and Tina’s cracking up.

Declan pulls Ryann off to the side as I suffer through a round of pictures that Mom wants to scrapbook. She makes me pose with Dad and my sister, makes me hold up my degree, and even makes me throw my hat again. My friends crowd around me for a photo, and I yelp when Carpenter grabs me from under my arms to hold me up like frickin’ Simba.

When I try to run off, they yank me back, and I’m about two seconds away from losing it before my mom wipes her eyes, offering me a shaky smile. “Alright, now let’s take a few with Ryann.”

Okay, now we’re talking. She can take pictures of us all day.

His body heat warms my side, and I turn to hug him, but freeze when he drops down onto one knee in front of me. Those hazel eyes hold me captive, his lips curved into a smile as he pulls out a velvet box.

“Two years ago, you took a chance by picking up a stranger from some seedy bar and then followed him up to his penthouse,” he starts, grinning when my dad coughs awkwardly.

“That guy was an asshole,” I blurt, brain completely offline as I try to understand what the hell is happening right now.

Ryann huffs, reaching out to grab my hand. “Yes, he was. But you gave him another chance when he hired you as his intern and then continued giving him more when he messed up again.”

My chest is so tight I can hardly speak, my eyes stinging. “Sounds like that guy messes up a lot.”

“He does.” Ryann squeezes my fingers before letting go, and when he opens up the little box in his palm, my breath catches in my throat. “I can’t promise you a perfect man, but I can promise that I’ll spend every day being the best man I can be for you. Because I’ve been waiting my whole life for you, baby doll.”

I can’t breathe, my heart pounding so hard everyone can probably hear it as I stare at the silver ring nestled in velvet. Ryann’s eyes search mine, vulnerability flickering in their depths, and it hits me all over again just how much this man means to me. How far we’ve come.

He pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Shilo, you’re my best friend, my partner, my everything. I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel as loved as you’ve made me feel. So, what do you say?” He smiles crookedly. “Will you marry me?”

I’m too overwhelmed to respond, emotions rushing in like a tidal wave. But then I see the look on his face—so open, so loving—and the only words that make sense come tumbling out of me.

“Am I getting a promotion?”

He chokes out a laugh, slipping the ring onto my finger as everything around us fades away. It’s just him and me, two broken people with nothing in common who somehow make each other whole.

I don’t know how we got here, but I’m not questioning it. Not fighting it. His jagged edges might not match up with mine, but that’s what makes us perfect. Beautiful.

Human.

Everyone around us erupts into cheers, my mom and Paige ugly crying. Even Dad wipes a tear from his eye.

Ryann stands, pulling me in before kissing me dizzy, and in this moment, I feel it—the beginning of our forever.

I’m glad he’s cool with cats because I’m so getting him one tomorrow.

The End