Dad’s eyes widened in panic, then he leaned closer to me, whispering urgently, “Please don’t tell me that’s my ring he’s talking about.”
I whispered back, trying to sound reassuring, but vague, “Nolan has your ring. It’s safe and sound.”
“What ring?” Mom asked, her curiosity piqued.
Before I could formulate a response, Mitch blurted out, “Nolan and Zena’s engagement ring. What else?”
“What?” Dad’s eyebrows shot up as he looked between Nolan and me.
Mom, however, erupted with joy. “That is wonderful!” she exclaimed, lunging forward to envelop Nolan and me in a bear hug. “You two certainly don’t waste any time, but when you know, you know!”
I stammered, caught off guard. “Mom, it’s not?—”
“What news!” Mom continued, her eyes sparkling. “My little girl, engaged again! Zena, we have so much planning to do.”
Nolan cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Mrs. Dalton, there’s been a misunder?—"
“How is this even possible? You two are only friends,” Dad interrupted, his face full of concern.
Mom swatted Dad’s arm playfully. “Oh, Everett, leave them alone. Love moves in mysterious ways. Your parents fell in love on their first date. It happens!” She turned back to us, beaming. “So, do you have a date in mind?”
Mitch scoffed. “How do your parents not even know that? Even I know it’s on the twenty-eighth of this month.”
“What?” Mom and Dad exclaimed in unison, their shocked faces a perfect mirror of each other as they both realized it wastheir anniversary and also the same date as both of their surprise vow renewals.
Nolan jumped in, his words tumbling out in a rush. “Mitch was just blabbering, which is typically followed by drooling and the need of a good burping. He was also just leaving since he has a flight to catch.”
“I’m not going anywhere!” Mitch said, his smugness shifting into overdrive. “Nolan is the one who is leaving since he quit.”
“Stop it! He’s not quitting!” I said. “And get a life while you’re at it!”
“You should talk,” Mitch said. “You’re living in a dream world if you think this guy has anything to offer you. Instead of getting your panties in a bunch, maybe you should thank me for helping you get rid of the dead weight.”
That was it. The match that lit the fuse.
“Enough!” I erupted, my voice cutting through the chaos as I pointed an accusing finger at Mitch. “Nolan is a thousand times the man you will ever be. In fact, you’re so insecure, the only thing your pea-sized brain could think of was to blackmail him! You stole that ring and used it to force Nolan to quit. Admit it!”
The words exploded out of me, fueled by a mix of fury and indignation. Mitch had no idea what he’d unleashed, but I couldn’t stand there and take it any longer.
He sneered. “There’s no proof I stole it.”
“Oh, really?” I shot back, then turned to the police officer, my eyes blazing. “Officer, isn’t it true that all possessions of an arrestee are recorded?”
He nodded, his expression neutral. “That’s correct.”
I whirled back to Mitch, my finger stabbing the air between us. “So there’s proof you had the ring in your possession. And you confessed to blackmail in front of everyone by saying you had a deal! You demanded the ring back when Nolan didn’t cave to your threats.” I let out a humorless laugh. “You should thankyour lucky stars I’m not pressing charges against you. Now, go get on the flight to Tampa like a good boy before I change my mind.”
The words hung in the air, sharp and damning.
Mitch’s face contorted as he realized the trap he’d walked into.
The officer stepped closer, his gaze popping back and forth between the two of us. “I don’t know what is going on here, but you should know that robbery and blackmail are serious accusations.”
Mitch shook his head. “Don’t listen to her. She’s been smoking crack.”
The officer turned to me. “Are you under the influence of an illegal substance, ma’am?”
“No! The strongest thing I’ve had was a cup of coffee, but—” I held up my palm, trying to maintain control, but failing. Luckily, a brilliant idea popped into my head to turn the tables on Mitch. “Officer, how much time in prison is a person looking at for non-aggravated robbery, plus blackmail?”
