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“Christmas.”

“But…” I shake my head. “I wasn’t here.”

“I know.”

“We weren’t even together.”

“No.”

“Then why the hell did you buy an engagement ring?”

His eyes stay on mine. “It was you or no one.”

My breath catches. “What?”

“I saw it.” He shrugs, like what he’s about to say isn’t going to rip my fucking heart straight out of my chest. “Knew it was the only ring I’d ever buy. Even if I didn’t know if I’d ever get to put it on you.”

Tears spill down my cheeks. “Jude…”

“It’s you or no one, Nora.”

Oh God, this fucking man. I look down at the ring again through blurry eyes and laugh.

“Yellow.”

His mouth lifts.

“I love yellow,” I whisper.

“I know.”

“What made you choose it?”

His gaze moves over my face. “Made me think of you.”

“Me?”

“In the sunflowers at dawn.” His thumb moves over the box. “On that balcony by the sea in Calabria. Morning sun on your face.”

A sob catches in my throat. Of course this quiet man remembers things like that.

I crouch in front of him, wiping uselessly at my face because the tears keep coming.

“And these?” I gesture toward the tiny white diamonds. “Why seven?”

For a second, he looks almost embarrassed.

“Grumpy?”

“Seven falling stars.”

I stare at him. “What?”

“Saw seven falling stars.”

“And?”

He looks at me like the answer should be obvious. “Wished for you.”