I was scared to. Was it some sort of pre-engagement ring? Was that even a thing past high school?
I forced a smile and reached my hand into the bag. I pulled out a small box. It could easily be a ring. My hands started sweating. I flipped the box open and gasped. It was a pair of large sapphire solitaire earrings surrounded by a ring ofdiamonds. They were stunningly gorgeous. There was another box with a matching necklace.
“They’re… beautiful. I don’t know if I should accept these. It’s too much…”
“It’s not enough,” he said. “Put them on. I noticed that you only ever wear your everyday fleur de lis earrings and necklace. I thought it would be nice to have something a little dressier for special occasions.”
My heart dropped. He didn’t know of course. How could he? “My, um, mother gave me these.” My hand went up and rubbed the earring.
He went pale. “Oh. Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Natalie.” He reached to take them back, but I stopped him by gently putting a hand on his.
“No. My mom would want me to move forward. These are lovely, Heath. Thank you so much.” I leaned in and gave him a slow, lingering kiss.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Just like you said, I’ll wear these for special occasions, and my mom’s jewelry for every day.”
“I’m glad you like them. I thought the sapphires would look beautiful with your gorgeous eyes.”
I blushed a little.
“Are you ready to get out of here?”
I nodded.
“I’ll get the Tiramisu to go.”
He took me to the St. Regis for the night, and I had to admit I could get used to the pampering. The luxury surroundings, the slow, sexy, satisfying way he made love, the spa package he’d booked for me the next morning—it was all fabulous.
Did I feel sparks, fireworks, and lots of chemistry with Heath? Did I want to rip his clothes off and jump on him, desperate for him to be inside me? No.
But he was steady, handsome, and the picture of a perfect boyfriend. And I trusted him. He didn’t seem the type to cheat.
I couldn’t ask for more.
I was feeling great aboutalmosteverything. Sure, there were a few red flags, but there probably would be with anyone. I was starting to think I might really have a future with Heath.
I bit my lip and asked him something I’d been wondering about. “Heath, you say that you’re… interested in getting married someday.”
He looked between me and the road. “Absolutely,” he said, with zero hesitation.
“I guess I need you to know something then. I have an offer to go back to Baltimore and work at Johns Hopkins after my year here is up. I’m considering it. I was very happy there, and…”
“Natalie, I have to stop you right there. I’m never leaving Halliwell. I mean, Imightagree to live in Indigo Falls and commute to Halliwell Hospital.” He grimaced like that was a huge concession he’d be making even though the ‘commute’ would be less than twenty minutes. He pulled up to a red light, grabbed my hand, looked deep in my eyes, and said, “If you moved away, it would be a deal breaker.”
I tried to keep the look on my face neutral. Didn’t this guy say he loved me? That couldn’t possibly be true if he could drop me so easily.
His face softened, and I thought he was changing his mind. “I’m just trying to be honest. My future is here. I’m planning on you agreeing that yours will be, too.” He bent, kissed the hand he was holding, then let it go as the light turned green.
I was quiet the rest of the way home, while he seemed completely unbothered by what had transpired between us. I considered it a major, earth-shaking deal. He… did not.
It didn’t get better after that.
“You need to let me know as soon as possible if you’re planning on taking that job. There wouldn’t be any sense in us staying together if you are.”
And then he dropped me off after receiving a page from the hospital.
I watched him drive off feeling like I had whiplash. He went from telling me he eventually wanted to marry me, giving me expensive jewelry, and pampering me at a luxury hotel to, well,nothing.
