I open my eyes. Juni told Henna?
“Why did she—” Zoya’s realization happens in real time.
“Are you proposing?” Zoya asks. “Look at me.” She sounds a little angry.
I rub my hands over my face before dropping them to my sides and I turn. Shoulders slumped on a long sigh.
“We’ve been together for two years, and you chose today to do this?” She wipes her nose.
Henna and Bodhi are no help. They don’t look mad, but they’re not exactly jumping in to help me anymore.
I slowly walk back up the hill. “First. I’m sorry.Sosorry. You’re grieving, and I’m a distraction.” My gaze points to Henna. I feel like I owe her the biggest apology.
Sorry for messing up the burial.
Sorry for getting your daughter worked up.
Sorry for being an idiot.
“Yes, Juni gave me her ring to give you. I just, uh …” I scratch my jaw. “I was a little confused. I didn’t know diamonds came in yellow. And well, I thought when she asked me to give it to you, when the time was right, I thought she just wanted you to have it. After she died. Like …” I feel my face cringing. “Like I was supposed to just give it to you. To have. Not like give it to you for, uh …”
Henna cups a hand over her mouth, tears still shining in her red eyes. But she snorts. Bodhi rests his hand on his hip and bows his head. I feel every ounce of his disappointment or secondhand embarrassment.
Zoya blinks. Nothing but an unreadable expression.
“So I stuck it in my pocket, thinking it might make you feel better, like having a piece of her with you after the funeral. Then I showed it to Rupert and Callie, and …” I shrug, leaving my shoulders at my ears a little longer than necessary.
“So … you’re not proposing?” Zoya asks, blotting her eyes.
I look at her parents.
Nothing.
Not the hint of a nod or headshake.
They shift their gazes to Zoya.
“Not really,” I say cautiously.
She turns back toward the grave. Henna does too. But Bodhi gives me a little headshake. What does that mean? Where was that when I needed guidance a few seconds ago. What does that mean?
Don’t propose now?
Ever?
Don’t worry about her reaction?
Don’t take another step up the hill?
I wait.
After a few more minutes, Zoya and her parents walk toward me.
“Just give me the ring before you lose it,” she grumbles holding out her hand.
“Give it to you? Propose?”
“Zoya, let’s go home,” Henna says.
