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Don’t be petty, Julian.
She breaks eye contact first. “Yeah. We’re done.”
“Might want to get rid of that ring, then.” I can’t help but glare at the tacky piece of jewelry with a frown.
“I’ve tried.” Her hand forms a shaky fist.
“Clearly not hard enough.”
Something flashes behind her eyes. “I’ve been waiting to hear back from the Creswells’ lawyer first before I got rid of it.”
Rich people and their lawyers.While I might be one of them now, I’d never have one handle my personal business like that. My parents taught me people who want respect need to earn it first, and nothing says spineless quite like depending on a lawyer to do my dirty work.
“And what did this lawyer say?” I ask before I think better of it.
“I got the news an hour ago that I can do whatever I want with it.”
“How convenient.” My voice remains flat, although my words hits their target.
Her nostrils flare. “Are you insinuating that I’m lying?”
The silence following her question answers for me.
“You know what? I’m in the mood to prove you wrong.”
Some things never change.
While I’m busy remembering the countless times she tried to do that, she catches me off guard as she slides the ring up her finger and holds it out for me. “Here.”
I take a long step back. “What am I supposed to do with that?”
“Heck if I know, but I’m sure you’d be more than happy to get rid of the ring given how often you glare at it.”
Fuck. While I was busy cataloging her next move, she was busy doing the same.
Checkmate.
I reach for the ring without the slightest tremble, although my heart beats wildly as our fingers graze.
I pluck the ring from her grasp and assess the tacky display of wealth that fits anyone but the woman in front of me. Although Dahlia loves jewelry—that much is obvious based on her endless rotation of rings, earrings, and necklaces—she hates gaudy wedding rings that can be found at any local jewelry shop.
I want a vintage ring like Mom’s, she said once to her sister while they gawked over a cousin’s engagement ring during a birthday party.
No way! I want a ring like the mayor’s wife has. Lily beamed.
But it’s so basic. Dahlia’s nose scrunched.
Who cares so long as it’s big, Lily snorted.
Dahlia clears her throat, yanking me away from the memory.
“You want me to get rid of it?” I ask.
She nods.
I’d like nothing more. Although…
An idea hits me. A terrible, stupid idea that has me acting first and thinking about regrets later.
