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“What’s wrong? Is it not a nice ring?”
“No. It’s just that getting an engagement ring is supposed to be a special thing. And it’s supposed to come f
rom someone you love and someone that loves you. And that ring is... It’s...”
“What? It’s what?”
“It’s huge! If I took that ring, then when I got a real ring from my real fiancée, there’s no way it would be that nice of a ring.”
Josh groaned. “Why has no one written a manual for dealing with women? They could make a fortune. Okay, I can take this one back and get a smaller diamond.”
“No. I don’t want an engagement ring. I’m a scrub nurse. Most scrub nurses hardly ever wear their rings anyway.”
His face brightened. “So you’ll do it?”
“Is it really the only way you can adopt your niece and nephew? And are you certain this is what you want to do? I mean really, really, sure? You haven’t even spent much time around kids, have you? Do you even like kids?”
“See. That shows how much you know. I was a Big Brother during undergrad. And I volunteer at the Children’s Clinic.”
“Yeah, I knew about the Children’s Clinic.”
“And yes, I’m sure. I’m going to find a way to make this happen. It’ll just be easier if you help me.”
She breathed in a deep breath and held it while she contemplated. She wanted to help Josh with the adoption, but she absolutely didn’t want to marry him. And she would never take his money for medical school. Still, it seemed like his back was against the wall for the adoption. The air whistled from her mouth. “Okay.” When he broke into a huge grin, she hurried to clarify in a hoarse whisper, “But I’m only agreeing to the engagement, not the marriage. And no ring! And no kissing!”
“But you’re not saying no to the marriage?”
“Josh, I just don’t think I could ever agree to the marriage. I think you should look into alternatives. There’s got to be another way. Why don’t you talk to the grandparents? Maybe if you promised to let the little girl have a relationship with them, they would agree to you adopting both.”
“I’ve got to be sure. I can’t take a chance.”
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to them. Would it?”
“I don’t think I could be civil to them. I’m so angry they don’t want Jace. I hurt for him.” He scowled.
“But you’ll get to adopt him, either way, right?”
“Yes, but he should get to grow up with his sister. I don’t want him to turn out like me.”
Her heart melted at the pain on his face. “But he’ll have you for a dad no matter what. And anyway, you turned out great, Josh.”
“No. I turned into a guy who’s spent so much time in shallow relationships, afraid to really love someone, that he has to beg one of his best friends to pretend she loves him enough to marry him.”
“I don’t know if I can keep it a total secret. I can’t lie to Grace. She’ll know something’s wrong. And she’ll dig ‘til she gets to the bottom of it. And then Brad will know.”
“But Brad and Grace are gone until next week. Right? So I’ll let you tell Grace and Brad next week if you swear them to secrecy.”
“What about Spencer? He’s pretty upset. He thinks we’ve been dating behind his back.”
“I’ll talk to him and smooth things over. I’ll think of something.”
“You’d better talk to him, soon. If he gets my folks in an uproar, the jig is up.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to him tonight.” He leaned close to her and spoke softly, “Are you sure you won’t change your mind about the kissing thing?”
“I’m about to change my mind about the engagement thing,” she spoke between gritted teeth.
He laughed and held up his hands in surrender. “I was just kidding. I promise to behave. Your response to the first kiss wasn’t good for my ego, anyway.”
