Page 60 of Keeping Score

All in all, not bad.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty when I saw her reddened cheeks puff in and out as she took in oxygen.

“What,” she gasped, “happened? Are you okay?”

“Sorry,” I winced, “I guess I should’ve clarified that it wasn’t life or death.”

The corners of her mouth twitched down in a frown. Probably the extent of a negative reaction I’d get from her.

“You could’ve,” she agreed.

“But,” I grinned sheepishly, hoping the real reason would make up for whatever irritation Cassie was trying to hide, “it’s technically an emergency, because as Maggie’s best friend, I thought you should be here to give me input on her engagement ring.”

Color and vitality returned to Cassie’s face at once as she bounced on her heels. After letting out a squeal and begging for me to show her, I had to tell her that I hadn’t actually picked it out yet.

She crossed her arms over her chest smugly, looking at the storefront behind me.

“Oh, I see. You called me here because you’re scared to buy the wrong ring and have Maggie give you hell for it the rest of your lives.”

“No.” I denied. “Maggie would appreciate anything that came from the heart.”

We both stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting into laughter at the same time.

“No, she wouldn’t.” We shook our heads in unison.

“So, you see why I need your help, then?” I asked anxiously. “I just need it to be perfect.”

Cassie gestured to the door. “Lead the way.”

With more confidence now that I had Cassie, I ventured back into the store with the intensely illuminating lights and the hundreds of diamonds that taunted me with their relentless sparkles.

It’s like even they knew I’d pick the wrong one.

“Oh, good,” the woman who had been assisting me earlier greeted us with a smile. “You brought your partner.”

“What?” Cassie giggled.

“No, no, no.” I shook my head, praying that Liam didn’t hear that from wherever in the city he was. “This is my—well, this is my girlfriend’s—”

“I’m his soon-to-be sister-in-law,” Cassie smirked.

“Is that how it works?” I asked.

Cassie frowned, thinking about it.

“I think so.” Then she faltered. “It should be?”

I laughed while Cassie turned to the worker and said,

“I’m married to his soon-to-be fiancée’s brother. Who also happens to be my best friend.” Cassie rambled. “Best friend to his fiancée, that is. Not my husband. But I’d consider him to be my best friend, too.”

“Cass,” I put a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“I think she got it.” I turned to the worker. “You got that, right?”

The worker, looking flustered, gave us a polite, albeit confused, smile.