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His bright eyes could rival the sun streaming through the crack in the blinds beside us. “Yes, but you said you wanted to wait until next—”
“¡Vete a la chingada! ¡Necesito verlo ahora mismo!”
The best laugh pours out of him. “You’ll have to find it first.”
“You hid it?”
“Of course. I already caught you snooping around the bedroom last week, so I couldn’t take any risks.”
My cheeks burn. When I found a jewelry insurance receipt underneath the seat of his truck after he spent the weekend in Detroit with Rafa, I was curious about what Julian bought. While my mind immediately jumped to a ring, I talked myself into assuming he had purchased a classic pair of diamond studs for my upcoming birthday.
Still, I snooped around his room, although my search came up empty.
He kisses my forehead. “If you find it, it’s all yours.”
I jump off the bed with a squeal before searching Julian’s bedroom from top to bottom.
The ensuing mess could compete with my sister’s bedroom. “It’s somewhere downsta—”
I take off for the stairs, leaving Julian behind to pick up after me, although based on his laughter, he doesn’t seem to mind.
I check every square inch of Julian’s house, including theinside of the grand piano, the cramped spot behind the toilets, and every pot, pan, and appliance big enough to hide a ring box.
¡Necesito verlo ahora mismo!:I need to see it right now.
Where is it?
Either he got smart after I found all his pro-con lists hidden throughout the house, or he never hid the ring here to begin with.
You should have known he would trick you.
My feet are heavy as I head toward the stairs, ready to admit defeat.
“Find it yet?” Julian’s deep voice echoing off the high ceilings startles me.
I follow the sound of his voice into the living room, where I find him leaning against the shelf that displays a few of his prized trophies, including hisLittle Princebook collection and the two trophies I gave him.
Wait a minute…
I checkedbehindthe trophies but never inside them.
Way to go, Dahlia.
I stand on the tips of my toes and grab theSecond Besttrophy off the shelf.
Empty.
I could have sworn—
He swaps the one in my hand for theFirst Choicetrophy I gave him last Christmas.
My eyes widen at the wood box tucked inside. I fail to control the shakiness in my fingers as I reach inside for the custom-made jewelry box.
“Did you…” I choke on the rest of the sentence as Juliangoes down on one knee.
He sets the trophy on the floor beside him before holding out his hand. I place the jewelry box in his open palm. At this angle, I can take in his craftsmanship, including the impeccable and intricately carved details.
He lifts the lid to reveal a beautiful diamond ring nestled in a velvet cushion. The vintage design resembles a flower, with a brilliant solitaire diamond surrounded by a circle of marquise-shaped diamonds that resemble petals.
