AllFreeNovel
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“Don’t worry about her. She’s just jealous.”
We’re interrupted by Cash’s droll Aussie accent. She’s already hit the stores hard today, with bags hanging off both her arms. “Jealous?” I ask.
“Of course!” Cash sits on the arm of my chair and looks down at me and Flynn. “Don’t think we haven’t all noticed how the two of you have just come to life the past few days. It’s hard to ignore. You’re making usalljealous.”
I flush, glancing at Flynn. “Sorry.”
“Are you kidding?! No, no. I’m teasing you. Besides…” Cash looks off in the distance at Adelaide. “She deserves to be humbled.”
Yeesh. I hope my friends aren’t saying things like that atmyengagement party.
A bit later, we’re heading out of the store, on the hunt for lunch.
“You’re sure you don’t want anything?” Flynn murmurs as we walk past another store.
“It’s not my speed.” I pat his arm. “Besides, you’re not buying me anything.”
“I’d be happy to. Seriously.”
There’s something in his voice that’s almost desperate. This is why the upper echelons of society boggle my mind. They have all the money in the world and know that any big purchase for them is just a drop in the bucket, yet simultaneously understand it to be a prime show of affection.
“What would Colin say if I were carrying around a Gucci purse?” I snort.
“Well, Gucci wouldn’t be your speed, but something from Versace would –“
I smack Flynn on the arm. “Don’t even think about buying me Versace.”
He laughs. He’s showing his teeth more. His canines are quite pointy, but unlike all his friends, he doesn’t have veneers. Just Flynn. Makes me smile.
“Hey, lovebirds –” Franklin catches up to us and nods up ahead. “You’ve got a stop to make.”
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
Will appears on the other side of Flynn. “We’re not letting you be trapped in two years of will-they-won’t-they like Wadeltsky and Frazer.” Will and Franklin loop their arms through ours and pull us ahead of the group toward the store.
“Guys, seriously, we’re just having a nice time, can we –” Flynn tries to argue with them, but they silence him.
“Not taking no for an answer!” Franklin practically sings.
They march us directly into Bulgari, jewels sparkling in every direction it practically blinds me.
“Excuse me!” Will cries out, smacking Flynn on the back. “We’re looking for an engagement ring!”
“Could I see the green one?” My mouth is dry as I point down into the jewelry case at a necklace that could probably pay for the downpayment on a new car.
The saleswoman, although it feels wrong to call her that because she looks like a villainous queen in the best way possible with her severe bun and high cheekbones, removes the necklace from the case. “Eighteen karat rose gold set with malachite and pave diamonds. Incredibly elegant. Would suit your eyes, don’t you think?” she poses her final question to Flynn.
“Y-yes.”
We’ve been able to move the woman away from showing us engagement rings and are now just indulging her by letting her try and sell us a necklace. At this point, it’s only out of politeness since Will and Franklin abandoned us in hopes of finding something to eat. Neither of us can bring ourselves to tell her “no” when we’ve wasted her time.
“You mind if I put it on her?” Flynn asks.
“Of course, Mr. Madden.” The woman gestures toward a mirror behind us.
She knew who he was when she set eyes on him. No doubt she’ll keep this story and sell it to the press.
Flynn takes the necklace and eyes me. I step over to the mirror and face it. This is the first time I’ve really seen Flynn and me together, side by side, since we’ve started our dalliance. And though our sense of style is very different, I have to say it’s a nice picture. I could picture this portrait on my Instagram or a Christmas card or an engagement announcement.
