Chapter 9 Emilia #2
“What are you going to wish for?” Dani asks, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Conner chuckles, settling beside Dani. “She can’t tell, or it won’t come true.”
I glance at Gabe, his gaze meeting mine.
“Actually,” I say, my voice soft but sure, “…if I want this to come true, I need to say it out loud.” My heart races as I turn my attention back to the candle.
With a deep breath, I whisper my wish, “I don’t want what happens in the Caribbean to stay in the Caribbean. ”
The flame flickers, and as I blow it out, Gabe’s hand finds mine.
In one smooth motion, he pulls me gently to my feet and, without hesitation, presses his lips to mine.
The world around us fades, and the breeze carries the sound of gasps from our friends, but all I feel is the warmth of his love, the passion in his kiss.
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve needed.
When we finally pull apart, Gabe cups my cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears of happiness falling down my face. His eyes are full of tenderness, his voice low and sincere. “I don’t want it to stay here either. I want to spend my life exploring with you.”
Tears blur my vision, and I can barely get the words out as I smile through the tears. “I want that too.”
We turn back to our friends, who are frozen in shock, their eyes wide. A laugh bubbles up inside me at their stunned expressions. “So… Gabe and I,” I start, unable to contain my happiness. “We’re kind of a thing now.”
Gabe wraps his arm around me, grinning. “By ‘thing,’ she means we’re a couple. Millie is the only girl for me. I love her and as soon as I get home I’m putting a ring on her finger.”
This time I gasp. “Gabe.”
“I want to marry you, Millie. I don’t want to lose any more time. Please say yes.”
I laugh, my heart so full of love. “Yes.”
He kisses me and when he inches back, his grin is just for me. “You know how much I love it when you say yes.”
I chuckle, my body warm with the memories of our games today. “I love you, Gabe.”
“Holy Jesus,” Conner exclaims, wide-eyed. “We leave you two alone for one day, and look at this!” He breaks into a grin, shaking his head at me. “All I’ve got to say is, it’s about freaking time.”
Laughter ripples through the group, the kind that feels light and easy, like relief after a long wait. Dani rubs her belly and chimes in, “Now can we please have some cake? My twins are starving.”
Everyone laughs, and I look around at these people who mean the world to me. Everything feels so right, so full of joy. “You guys go ahead and cut it up,” I say, my voice soft but full of warmth. “I’ve got a call to make, but I’ll be right back.”
I take Gabe’s hand, feeling the warmth of his fingers intertwined with mine, and lead him to a quiet area just off the café.
The world around us fades as we step into a little nook surrounded by lush foliage, where the sounds of the café hum softly in the background.
I pull out my phone, sliding my finger across the screen as Gabe watches, curiosity in his eyes.
He leans in slightly. “Who are you calling?”
“My brother,” I say softly, and I feel Gabe’s body tense beside me.
His grip tightens for a brief second, and I respond by giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
I know this moment is a delicate one. As the screen flickers to life, Ryder picks up on the second ring, his familiar face filling the frame.
“Happy birthday, sis,” Ryder says, his voice full of warmth and affection, though a hint of something else lingers beneath.
“Thanks,” I reply, my heart beating a little faster. “I’m here with Gabe.” I turn the phone toward him so Ryder can see his best friend standing beside me, the connection between them immediately palpable.
Ryder’s grin widens as he speaks. “How did ‘yes’ day go? Gabe, did she torture you?” He laughs, but there’s a trace of nervousness there too.
Gabe laughs softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “You know she did.”
Ryder shakes his head, a fond smile on his face. “Well, if I can’t be there, I’m glad you were, buddy.”
A quietness hangs in the air for a second, and I take a breath, glancing from Gabe to the screen. “So, I was thinking…” I start, my voice softer, more deliberate now. “I’d like to play the ‘yes’ game with you right now.”
Both Gabe and Ryder look at me, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in their expressions.
“Uh, okay,” Ryder says, his voice hesitant.
“You’re going to say yes to everything?” I ask, my heart racing.
“That’s how the game works, right?” he replies, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“You promise to agree to everything?” I ask again, just to be sure.
His concern grows, and I see it on his face. “What’s going on, Emilia?”
I steal a quick glance at Gabe, feeling the tension in his grip, the worry flickering in his eyes. I can’t hold it in any longer. I blurt out, “When Gabe gets married, are you going to be his best man?”
Ryder’s brow lifts slightly in surprise, but his answer comes quick. “If he asks me, yes.”
I look over at Gabe, who meets my gaze, and the softness in his expression melts my nerves. “Of course I’m going to ask you,” Gabe says, his voice full of certainty.
Ryder nods. “Then yes.”
I swallow the knot in my throat and press forward, my heart pounding in my chest. “Will you stand with him… if it’s me walking toward him in a white dress?”
For a moment, Ryder goes perfectly still, the silence on the other end of the line making my breath catch.
Gabe’s hand tightens in mine, and I know he’s holding his breath too.
My brother is a good man, just like Gabe, and I know he wants what’s best for us.
But I also know this news is going to hit him hard—he’s going to need a minute to process it.
But then, Ryder erupts. “Yes!” he shouts, louder than I expected. He jumps up from his sofa, practically bouncing around his living room. “Yes! Yes! YES!”
“Ryder!” I laugh, half-shocked, half-relieved, trying to calm him down.
He stops hopping long enough to say, “You didn’t need a ‘yes’ day for me to say yes to this, Emilia.”
I smile, a part of me not sure he’s fully registered what I said. “You realize I said we’re getting married, right?”
Ryder flops back down onto his couch, his grin still in place. “It’s about time.”
Gabe and I exchange a stunned look. “Wait, what?” I ask, completely thrown off.
“Come on,” Ryder says, shaking his head as if it’s obvious. “You two have been in love for as long as you’ve known each other.”
Gabe looks utterly flabbergasted. “You knew?”
“Of course I knew.” Ryder laughs softly. “Everyone did. But we all knew you just weren’t ready for each other until now.”
I stare at the phone in disbelief. “This is why you encouraged me to take the job in Boston, isn’t it?”
Looking so proud of himself he nods and says, “Yup.”
Gabe’s eyes widen, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over him. “Dude, I thought… I never wanted to cross any boundaries or do anything that might come between us, you know?”
Ryder’s laugh is soft, full of warmth. “You didn’t. Not once. You waited until the time was right. That’s why you were the only guy I ever trusted with my sister.”
I smile, feeling the love between them as I chime in, “You know I can take care of myself, right?”
Gabe’s fingers brush lightly against my cheek, his touch so gentle it makes my heart flutter. He leans in, his voice low, teasing. “But you like it when I take care of you, don’t you?”
I blush, and before I can respond, Ryder lets out an exaggerated groan. “Okay, on that note, I’m outta here. Love you, sis. Love you, bro.”
“Love you too,” we both say in unison, the words spilling out naturally, like we’ve always been this family. I can’t stop the grin on my face as I end the call and tuck my phone away, warmth flooding my chest.
Gabe turns to me, gratitude shining in his eyes.
“Thank you,” he says softly, his hand still lingering on my skin.
Then his expression shifts, a playful spark dancing in his gaze as he glances over my head.
“Now… how about we go eat some cake, and then head back to my room? We’ve still got a few hours left in your ‘yes’ day, and I have some more exploring to do.
” He smirks, his voice full of suggestions. “What do you say to that?”
I laugh, my heart brimming with happiness. Rising on my toes, I kiss him softly, savoring the moment. “There’s only one word I can say,” I whisper against his lips.
“Yes…”
***
Thank you so much for reading, STICK GAMES, a novella my Boston Bucks series. I hope you loved this story as much as I loved writing it. Be sure to check out the other books in the series. If you like hockey, also check out my Players on Ice and Scotia Storm Series.
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Happy Reading,
Cathryn