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“Maybe you should apologize to your friend?”
I shake my head. “There’s no need for that. Everything has been resolved, and we’re good, right Jasmine?”
Jasmine answers, “I suppose so.”
But it doesn’t feel right. If Jafar wasn’t here, I don’t think this fight would be over.
“Good. I’m going back to work. Ellie, do you need a ride?”
He gives me a look that says he wants to talk. After everything that’s happened today, I don’t know what’s left to say. But I don’t want to hang around here and allow Jasmine the chance to get mad at me again.
“Yeah, that would be great.” I look at Jasmine. “Do you still want me to come over tomorrow to get ready?”
She smiles, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Yes. Be here by five.”
“Okay. I’ll see you then.”
Jafar says to Jasmine, “And I’ll take my ring now.”
She hands it over, watching as he slips it onto his pinky finger.
Jafar leads the way as we leave the penthouse. The elevator ride is silent, but I don’t mind. Because there’s nothing left for us to say to each other. Outside, a dark SUV waits, and he climbs into the back. I follow suit. When the doors close, he pushes a button, and the privacy screen lifts. What does he have to say that we need to be alone for?
“I’m sorry about that,” he finally says.
“It’s my fault. I’m the one who put it on my finger. I didn’t even think to give it back.”
He pulls off the ring, holding it up. “My uncle used to wear this, as did his father. One day my eldest son will wear it, too.”
“Sounds like a lot of history.”
“It is.” He hands it to me. “Why don’t you hold on to it until I need it?”
I laugh before I can stop myself. His eyebrow lifts, as if he can’t figure out what I find so funny.
“You want me to hold on to it? Jafar, I was just accused of stealing it. I’m not going to keep it.”
He reaches for my hand, slipping it on my index finger. I’m not going to lie—my hand felt naked without it, but this is madness.
“I want you to keep it, Ellie.”
“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll sell it?”
He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “If you do, I will know by the end of the day.”
“I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?”
“No.”
I sigh. “Fine. I’ll hold on to it until you and Jasmine welcome a baby boy into the world.”
The words are sour in my mouth.
“Thank you.” He pauses. “I thought for a moment that Jasmine had guessed what we’ve been up to.”
“I was worried, too.”
“I didn’t say I was worried. I said I thought it.”
