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There was a pause, then he said, “Fair enough. It’s spoiling the surprise though.”
She actually pulled the phone away from her eye and closed her eyes, silently praying for patience. “This tension is ruining whatever the surprise is anyway.”
“It’s for the deposit on that warehouse we’ve been eyeing for months.”
That caught her off guard. “What? That’s not personal.”
“No. But I still wanted to surprise you. The other company’s deal fell through so we can have the lease if we want it.”
She was so relieved it wasn’t for an engagement ring, she just said, “Oh. That’s good.”
“It’s more than good. It’s fantastic. The price is unbelievable.”
“Great.” Edwina stared up at the night sky. The stars were out in full force in the darkness. It had been over five years since she’d been in Beaver Bend and there weren’t stars like that in Brooklyn. It was a breathtaking view.
She didn’t understand what she was feeling, but it felt good to be outside, taking in the warm summer air. Fireflies were lighting up here and there around the yard. Her father was sitting on the front porch, Mitch sleeping at his feet next to his cast.
She loved lots of things about New York. The convenience, the access to entertainment and restaurants and fashion. Being able to get anywhere on a direct flight. Having food arrive at her doorstep. The energy of eight million people buzzing all around her. Those were all amazing things about the city.
But she was never going to be able to see the stars in New York.
Or hear the silence of a still, sluggishly humid summer night.
“I thought you’d be more excited.”
“That’s not something you should keep a secret from me. I’d be more excited if we’d discussed it together.”
“I had to move on it. You’re in Minnesota, and not really as available as I was expecting.”
Ouch. Whether it was intentional or not, he had pushed the exact button to make her feel guilty. She frequently felt like she was letting him down because she didn’t work as hard as him or live and breathe the business the way he did.
“You could have explained it was urgent.”
“I don’t understand why you’re upset,” he said, and he did genuinely sound puzzled.
“I thought you were going to buy me an engagement ring with that money,” she said, wanting to be honest with him. Maybe she shouldn’t admit that, but she didn’t want him to think she didn’t trust him. Which, now that she’d said it, she realized exactly confirmed that.
“Wow. That’s unexpected. With business funds? Of course not.”
She had actually been concerned that he might have used business funds to buy her a ring based on Angel’s message from her grandmother. Which meant she didn’t trust him.
Because who accepts an alleged message from the dead over what she knew about her boyfriend’s character?
Her emotions were in complete turmoil and she didn’t understand what was happening.
“Did you want me to buy an engagement ring?” he asked. “Are we there yet, Edwina?”
Apparently not, if he had to ask. “I thought we were. We’ve talked about it before. Am I wrong?”
“That was theoretically. Some day. We have other things to focus on right now, luv. A wedding is just a massive distraction.”
“Right. Of course.” She fought the urge to sigh.
She wasn’t devastated. She wasn’t angry.
She was… neutral.
Which terrified her.
