Chapter 37

Standing at the beach shore, Riley exhaled deeply as the soft breeze brushed against her skin. She tucked her hands into the pockets of her faded, tattered denim shorts, her oversized white long-sleeved shirt fluttering in the wind. Her hair was loosely braided, swaying gently with the breeze.

"Love," Sienna giggled, jumping playfully in front of her before wrapping her arms around Riley's shoulders. Riley's hands instinctively found their way to Sienna's waist.

"Hi there, beautiful," Riley smiled, winking as she pulled Sienna closer. Sienna playfully pinched her nose in response, her sundress—a flowing white piece with delicate spaghetti straps—fluttering slightly. Her sunglasses rested atop her head, completing her carefree look.

"You're so cheeky," Sienna teased, standing on her toes to plant a soft kiss on Riley's cheek.

Riley's family had invited them to a weekend getaway, renting a private beach resort for some much-needed relaxation.

"Riley! Sienna!" Mia's voice rang out from behind them. She ran towards them, a cocktail in hand, her floral off-shoulder maxi dress swaying as she moved.

"You know, sometimes I feel like having Mia around is like having an instant daughter," Riley said with a laugh, watching her approach.

Sienna smiled, shaking her head as she released her hold on Riley. "She's always so carefree."

"Back at it again with your drinking, Mia," Sienna playfully scolded, turning to face her.

Mia only laughed and took another sip of her cocktail. "Hey, it's not like I can do this every day. Let me enjoy it! Besides—hello? I'm single!" she declared with a proud grin.

Riley playfully kicked Mia on the butt. "You're such a drunkard."

"Oh, says the one who made out with Sienna when she got drunk!" Mia shot back, laughing as she teased them.

"You little—" Riley darted toward Mia, who had already started running. Mia shrieked, calling out for Riley's mom as she sprinted away. Sienna laughed, watching them chase each other. Riley eventually returned, with Mia's neck locked in her arm in a playful hold.

"Sienna, you need to do something about your girlfriend!" Mia laughed, still teasing Riley, who was blushing furiously.

Sienna just shrugged, chuckling. "Don't hurt her too much, Riley," she said with a smile, wrapping her arms around Mia from behind.

Riley scoffed, releasing Mia with a playful sigh. Her attention drifted toward Harriet, who was walking along the shoreline with her hands in her pockets, her button-down shirt billowing in the breeze.

"Do you think Harriet doesn't want to be in a relationship again?" Mia asked, her gaze following Riley's toward Harriet.

Riley glanced at Mia, then back at Harriet. "She hasn't really mentioned it. Maybe she's just focused on work. But, sometimes, I wonder if it's because of her past."

Mia pondered for a moment before turning back to Riley. "What about you, Riley? If things didn't work out between you and Sienna, would you want to be in another relationship?"

Riley's eyes flicked to Sienna, who was still hugging Mia, before she looked back at the waves. "I haven't thought about being with anyone else. If it's not Sienna, then I don't want it. I'd rather be alone."

Mia faked a dramatic cough. "Wow, hopelessly devoted to Sienna much?"

Riley laughed softly. "It's not that. But if you've been in a relationship that ended when you didn't want it to, it's hard to start over. It's hard to take that risk again."

"But we're not breaking up," Sienna chimed in, grinning as she turned to face Riley, wrapping her arms tightly around her. "Right?"

"Oh my God! You two!" Mia exclaimed, holding her chest in mock distress. "Why does it feel like you're rubbing it in that I'll be single forever?" She clasped her hands together, still holding her cocktail. "Please, give me a boyfriend! And if not a boyfriend, sure, I'll take a girlfriend instead!"

Both Riley and Sienna burst into laughter. Riley planted a kiss on Sienna's head, pulling her closer as she rested her head against hers.

Riley was half-sitting on a tall chair, casually picking at some chips on the bar counter in front of her. Sienna sat beside her on another tall chair, both of them facing the bar as they snacked. Out on the beach, Nyx and the others were enjoying the water, while Mia...

"What are you doing, dancing like that?" Riley asked, trying to stifle her laughter. Sienna glanced over at Mia, leaning her elbow on the bar and resting her chin on her palm.

"Maybe one day, we'll find out she's secretly a famous dancer," Sienna teased, smiling as Mia twirled and danced around.

"I'm live-streaming, and you two are being so loud!" Mia exclaimed, adjusting her phone on a stand. "Guys, I know you've missed updates on our hashtag Rienna couple, so here we go!" She swung the camera toward Riley and Sienna.

"What? What hashtag?" Riley leaned forward, squinting at the screen filled with comments using #Rienna. Sienna chuckled, shrugging as she waved at the camera.

"Hi, everyone! Here we are, crashing Mia's live as usual," Sienna said with a playful grin, picking up the plate of snacks. "Want some? Go ahead and buy your own!" She laughed.

Mia sidled up to Riley, throwing her arms playfully around her neck. "Okay, guys, time to ask them the big question—are they dating or what?" she teased, winking at the camera.

Sienna, scrolling through the comments, burst out laughing. "Look at this one!" she said, reading aloud, "'I'm Riley's girlfriend, everyone. Riley's mine.'"

Sienna raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms with mock seriousness. "Oh, really? Are you sure Riley's yours?" she said, playfully examining her nails. "Because I know exactly who Riley's girlfriend is."

Mia laughed, "Come on, spill the tea! Who's Riley's girlfriend, then?" she asked, nudging Sienna playfully.

"It's a secret," Sienna teased, moving the phone to sit between them. "Or maybe Riley can be the one to spill it since it's her girlfriend."

"Right, right," Mia chimed in, glancing at Riley with an amused grin.

"You two are so nosy," Riley said with a smirk, popping another chip into her mouth as she skimmed through the live chat's comments.

"Boo!" Mia pouted dramatically, but couldn't help laughing.

Riley laughed, glancing at Sienna as she slid off her chair and walked over to her side. "What do you guys think?" Sienna asked, leaning into Riley's chest. "Do we make a good couple?"

The comment section immediately lit up, with viewers quickly noticing the ring on Sienna's finger.

"I swear, these two are a real couple! Look at Sienna's ring finger!" Mia read aloud, eyes widening as she leaned in for a closer look. "What the fudge!"

Sienna giggled at Mia's reaction, while Riley chuckled, wrapping her arms around Sienna's shoulders. "Fine, I'll tell you who my girlfriend is," Riley teased, resting her head on Sienna's.

Mia hugged herself dramatically. "Guys, I feel so single right now. Anyone single out there? Please, give me a boyfriend!"

Both Riley and Sienna laughed, about to say something when Riley's mother, Maggie, appeared out of nowhere. "Mia! You love being the third wheel with these two lovebirds?" Maggie teased, waving before walking away.

Riley and Sienna stared at the live stream in shock, knowing the viewers had heard it all. Mia burst out laughing. "Well, there you have it, guys! The mystery's solved—Riley's girlfriend is right here!" She pointed at Sienna, still laughing. "Auntie Maggie, Riley's mom, just spilled the tea for you all!"