Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Was he gone already?
Outside, I heard a car door slam, followed by the closing of my garage. I relaxed a little—he was just moving the cars.
He entered the bedroom a minute later and dropped onto the edge of the bed. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I smiled shyly at him. “I thought maybe you’d snuck out without saying goodbye.”
“Nah. I wouldn’t do that to you. I just wanted to get your car back in the garage.”
“I could have moved it.”
“It’s all done.” He tugged a strand of my hair. “I better go. I need to make that flight, and the longer I sit here looking at you, the harder it will be to leave.”
I nodded. Swallowed hard. “Okay.”
“Friends?” He held out his hand.
“Friends.” I shook it. It was chilly from being outside.
He looked at our clasped hands for a moment, then gently pulled his away. “So what will you do today?”
“If I can find the energy, I’ll go to my strength training class at nine.”
“Strength training, huh?”
“Yes.” I flexed my bicep. “You mean you couldn’t tell?”
He laughed and felt the muscle. “Very impressive.”
“Then I’m meeting my sister Winnie’s boyfriend at the jewelry store. He wants my opinion on the ring he’s going to propose with.”
“Sounds like a busy day.”
“I’ll still find time to think about you.”
He grinned. “Come on. We’ve been friends for like three minutes straight. We’re doing so well.”
“Sorry.” I grinned back, even though my heart was sinking. Was this the last time I’d ever see him? “Well . . . be safe.”
“Always.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek, then rested his forehead on my temple. “Don’t be a stranger, okay? And don’t you dare settle for that slowpoke average Joe.”
I nodded, since I didn’t trust myself to speak. A moment later, he was gone.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I swallowed the lump in my throat and told myself it was stupid to cry over losing something that had never been mine in the first place.
Downtown was busy, and I had to park two blocks down from the jewelry store. My feet felt heavy as I trudged up the sidewalk, just like they had at class this morning. In fact, the coach kept coming over to me to ask if I was okay. I’d said I was fine, just tired. It was half true, anyway.
When I caught sight of Dex standing right outside the door, looking like he was about to pass out, I had to smile. “Hey,” I said as I approached. “What are you doing out here?”
“I was sweating in there,” he said.
“Why? Are you nervous?”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “Fuck yes, I’m nervous. I can’t screw this up, Millie.”
I gave him a quick hug. “You are not going to screw this up—it would be impossible to screw this up! Winnie is head over heels in love with you, and this is going to make her the happiest she’s ever been.”
“You think so?” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I know so. Now come on, show me the rings you’ve picked out. I’m dying!”
He held the door open for me, and I went into the shop, where gems and precious metals glittered and gleamed under sparkling clear glass. A dark-haired woman in a suit with a name tag that read Kirsten recognized Dex and came right over. “You’re back. Have you decided?”
“Almost.” He gestured at me. “This is Winnie’s sister, Millie. I just wanted to get her opinion before deciding for sure.”
“Of course.” Kirsten smiled at me. “He’s chosen some gorgeous rings. Give me one minute to collect them, and I’ll meet you at the back counter.”
“I can’t wait.” Excited, and beyond grateful for this happy distraction, I hooked my hands through Dex’s elbow and gave his arm a squeeze. Together we wandered back to the display case showing off rings in every imaginable size, color, and style. My eyes roamed over diamonds and sapphires and emeralds and rubies set in gold and platinum. Classic solitaires nestled among more extravagant cluster, cathedral, and halo settings. There were stones cut in every possible way—round, pear, oval, marquise, cushion. Some were small and discreet, some were as big and round as doorknobs. “I can see why it’s overwhelming,” I said.
“Well, a lot of these are out of the question because of budget,” he said with a shrug. “I wish I could afford a massive rock, but I just can’t.”
“Listen to me. Winnie does not care about a massive rock. She only cares that you are the one who’ll put it on her finger.”
“Here we are.” Kirsten appeared and set a black velvet cushion in front of us with three diamond rings inserted into a horizontal seam.
“Oh, Dex,” I whispered, covering my mouth with both hands. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.
The ring on the left was a round solitaire on a plain platinum band—elegant, modern, simple. The one in the center was emerald-cut and set between two baguettes—sleek and stunning. But it was the one on the right that set my heart fluttering. I just knew instantly it was Winnie’s. The stone wasn’t as big as the other two, but it was princess-cut and set on a delicate band of pavé diamonds.