Page 116 of The Holiday Makeover

Was she trying to kill me?

I couldn’t take it any longer. “What is it?”

“This might sound kind of weird,” she mumbled into my chest, like she was embarrassed. “But I was wondering if I could try on the ring.”

That, I was not expecting.

I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, and it came out in a whoosh.

“You really want to?” I asked. “I got the impression you hated it.”

“Well, it’s not exactly me,” she admitted. “But it seems a little rude that you bought me a gift and I didn’t even try it on.”

Before she could change her mind, I carefully untangled myself from her and bolted off the bed.

Even though I knew when I bought it that it wasn’t really a Rory ring, I had dreamed of seeing it on her finger one day. And I couldn’t help but wonder what this meant. Did she want to be officially engaged? If she wanted my wallet and keys to stay here, I assumed I was part of the deal.

“Oh my gosh, it’s freaking cold,” Rory complained, sitting up and pulling the covers tight around her.

But she was laughing too, especially when I started tossing everything out of my duffel bag to get to the ring I’d buried at the bottom.

The ring I thought had cost me Rory. The ring that had tortured me for the last two years.

I grabbed the blue box that had been my constant companion. An unwelcome reminder of regret. I squeezed it in my hand. It felt lighter now. Maybe because it no longer carried the weight of what I’d lost.

Because there she was. Sitting in my bed. Grinning at me.

I slipped back under the covers with her, not exactly sure what to do. When I’d imagined giving her this ring, I had scripted out an entire production. Mood lighting. Perfect timing. The best camera angle. I’d even come up with some cheesy lines to say.

But I should’ve known Rory would have wanted a moment like this. Something simple and spur of the moment—with bedhead, a broken generator, and Kermit the Frog pajamas—just the two of us.

I flipped open the box, and suddenly my mind went blank. The flowery speech I’d always planned—gone. All I could think to say was, “I love you.”

Rory stared at the ring, nibbling on her lower lip. “It’s so shiny even in the semi-dark.”

“Do you want to try it on?” I asked. “I mean, you know, see if it fits.”

Then I winced.

“Hell, that sounded romantic.”

Her lips twitched. “Very.”

I looked down at the ring, then back at her. “For what it’s worth, the speech was better in my head.”

“I’m sure it was.” She held out her hand, her smile genuine but nervous. “And yes . . . I want to see if it’s a good fit.”

I caught her double meaning.

And it stole my breath. She stole my breath. I carefully took the halo ring out of the box and slipped it on her delicate finger, my hand shaking more than I wanted to admit. I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so nervous or excited.

The ring glided on smoothly and securely.

Rory lifted up her hand and admired it. A few tears trailed down her cheeks.

“It’s beautiful,” she choked out. “I mean, it’s so over the top, but wow.” She grinned over at me. “You know, I think I kind of like it.”

“The ring?” I asked, surprised.