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It’s what I’d choose for myself.
“I had to make it memorable,” I joke as I look back at him. “You did well with this.” I wave my left hand around and Kyle shrugs.
“It looks like you.” Kyle starts the car. “What do you want to do now?”
“What are you supposed to do when you get engaged?” I ask, since I’ve never been in this position.
“I think we should get dessert and go to my house. We can watch a movie and take a picture to post on my social media in case people didn’t catch this.” I look at Kyle to see him smiling.
We get some ice cream and drive to his house, where I have a few things here to wear. We split time between houses and it’s easier for us to take some comfortable clothes and bathroom stuff over during visits. I change into leggings and a t-shirt, kicking the dress aside in the bathroom.
I never want to see it again.
When I join Kyle on the couch, he’s got the ice cream and two spoons. I picked up the dress and hang it in the closet so I wouldn’t have to explain why it was on his bathroom floor. We watch a movie like normal and I try to focus on the screen as the diamond on my left hand sparkles every time I move.
I appreciate it isn’t a big gaudy ring, but it’s enough. Everyone will want to see it and I have a good engagement story to tell, thanks to Kyle.
When the movie is over, we go to bed, and I swear it feels different when he’s inside me. It feels like we’re making love, but I must imagine things. It’s sweet that he wants to give me the full experience but unnecessary, and I watch as he falls asleep first.
I cry for real then, sneaking into the bathroom so I don’t wake Kyle up. In some ways, this ring breaks my heart because it will never be real. We’ll spend time together and get along well and even have sex. We’ll do everything an actual couple does except be a genuine couple.
The ring shimmers at different angles as I stare at it in the dimmest light possible. I wonder what he thought when he bought it with this plan in mind. I wonder about so many things that I’ll never ask him.
After I calm down, I go to bed. There’s a part of me that wants to take the ring off and leave it on the table beside the bed, but I don’t know what Kyle will think about that. He may never have to wear a ring, after all.
I can’t imagine getting fake married. That would be the part that kills me, knowing my family was there and believing the lie like everyone else that watched the wedding.
In the morning, I wake up to a sunny room and an empty bed. Looking around, I stretch before grabbing my phone to see what time it is. I slept until ten, but I was also up much later than Kyle.
I grab my clothes and use the bathroom before dressing, remembering the way he held me last night. When I make my way into the living room, I see Kyle at the table with coffee and go to pour my own.
“Good morning. Sorry I slept so long.” I apologize as I sit down across from him.
“No worries. You were probably tired from everything last night.” He smiles at me. “When you’re more awake, we should take a picture of the ring on your hand. No better announcement, right?”
“Right,” I agree as I lean back. “There’s nothing about it online yet?”
“Not that I can find. I thought for sure someone would catch it and post a picture.” He told me with a shrug. “That’s the most popular place to propose in Seattle. I was going to do it by the water, but it seemed good there, too.”
“Wow. You did your research.” I said, twirling my cup around in my hand.
“It’s a good story for you to tell later when this is all over. I want you to enjoy this, Laina.” I met Kyle’s eyes to see he was serious.
“Really?” I ask as he nods with a frown. “I mean, I have a great time with you. I just didn’t think a fake proposal would be high on my list of stories to tell anyone.”
“I was doing some thinking this morning, Laina.” Kyle started as I furrowed my brow. “The ring and engagement are great and everything, but I thought we could take it a step further. I want you to move in with me. That’s what a couple would do if they were planning forever, and we already work together.”
16
Full Speed Ahead
Kyle
Thepostonsocialmedia with the ring went viral and everyone started talking about the engagement. I knew they would, but worried a little about Laina in the coming week.
Everything calmed down at work and as the woman in this situation, it would all start back up as people asked to see her ring and wondered if we set a date. I’d have to answer to my parents, but this was better than any date my mom set me up on.
I’d never tell Laina how much thought I put into the ring. When I went shopping, I knew I could just get a solitaire and pop the question. When I saw the vintage ring, I knew it was the one for Laina. I even wanted her to keep it when this ended, which was stupid.
