The Marriage License For Me, The Boat For His Regret Chapter 01
In our hometown of Riverbend, if a guy wants to marry the girl he loves, he has to build her a hand-built skiff with his own two hands. That’s the wedding boat.
On our seven-year anniversary, my boyfriend Nolan Hayes threw a boat christening ceremony for the new skiff.
Everyone gathered to cheer, and my heart was pounding like crazy.
Right as I was about to step onto the boat, I heard one of his buddies lower his voice.
“You’re really giving the skiff to Kenna? You’re not scared Tessa’s gonna lose it on you?”
“Yeah, Tessa’s got a temper. Careful you don’t burn the whole thing down.”
Then Nolan’s voice came through, easy and sure. “Nah. Tessa’s easy to fix. She’s obsessed with me.”
“Besides, in Riverbend, a girl who’s still single at twenty-eight? Basically an old maid. She’s not gonna make a scene.”
“Look—Tessa gets the license, Kenna gets the skiff. That’s fair. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to… making it up to everyone.”
So marrying me would be settling for second best.
Easy to fix.
Spinster.
Those words cut so deep my ears actually hurt.
My throat tightened. But I didn’t cry.
I just pulled out my phone and typed a message.
“Mom, you were right. I’m twenty-eight. I’m done waiting.”
***
The new boat, covered in roses, slid into the water. People started pushing and laughing.
“Tessa, get on the boat!”
“Tess, seven years! You two are finally gonna make it!”
My best friend Brynn Walters was practically vibrating with excitement—she was genuinely happy for me.
Under everyone’s gaze, Nolan stepped off the skiff and walked toward me.
He paused for a second at my side, then walked right past.
He stopped in front of Kenna Reeves, his voice light and affectionate.
“Happy birthday. You like it?”
The whole crowd went weirdly quiet.
Kenna’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise.
They walked toward the boat hand in hand.
This time, as he passed me, Nolan slowed down and said, offhandedly, “Tess, I’m giving this skiff to Kenna for now. The next one’s already being built. Don’t stress.”
Some people were watching the drama. Some were watching me.
Like they were waiting for the famous Riverbend firecracker to explode.
But I just looked at him. Calm.
“No thanks, Nolan.”
He blinked, like he hadn’t seen that coming.
His friends jumped in to smooth things over.
“Tessa, don’t overthink it. Nolan’s just helping her out with a birthday wish!”
“Yeah, Nolan’s bride is still gonna be you.”
I listened to their lame excuses and almost laughed.
Brynn gritted her teeth next to me. “How can he do this? He knows a guy only gets one skiff in his whole life!”
My chest ached.
Right. In Riverbend, even a three-year-old knows that using the first skiff you build to marry your wife is the only way to guarantee a lifetime of happiness.
“Tess, I’m so pissed for you…” Her voice cracked. “She’s just some assistant trying to climb the ladder. Is he blind?”
But she wasn’t just an assistant. She was the daughter of the Hayes family’s old friends, someone they’d promised to take care of.
So Nolan gave Kenna everything. Endless favoritism. He brought her everywhere. Even on holidays, the gift he gave me came with a matching one for her.
And the wedding skiff I’d waited seven years for? He gave it away for a birthday wish.
“It doesn’t matter anymore, Brynn.”
I patted her hand.
A few minutes later, the two of them finished the ceremony on the boat and came ashore.
Kenna still had a smile on her face, bouncing as she walked over, her voice all sweet and innocent.
“Tessa, Nolan was just helping me with a birthday wish. Don’t read into it, okay?”
Nolan. So familiar.
I opened my mouth to answer, but Nolan got there first, stepping up and putting a hand on my shoulder.
“Tess, it’s just a boat. There are so many people around. Don’t start.”
His voice was still soft, but his eyes carried a warning.
“I’m not.”
I stepped back and gave Kenna a nod. “Happy birthday.”
The second the words left my mouth, the silence around us got even heavier.
Nolan stared at his empty hand for a second, confused.
Right. In the past, I would’ve already lost it.
Brynn had had enough. She called out, loud.
“Nolan, you gave away the skiff. What exactly are you going to use to propose to Tessa?”
“She’s waited seven years for you. Give us a real answer!”
Everyone turned to look at him.
I did too. A tiny, pathetic part of me still held on to hope.
Nolan, this is your last chance.
One second. Two.
My nails dug into my palms. I was about to open my mouth and smooth it over for him—
Then he laughed, easy and careless. “Yeah… next time.”
Just like that. Dismissive. Evasive.
The last bit of love I had for him popped like a balloon.
Dead silence.