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“My favorites are all named BB.”
She runs away, galloping him around the room.
“Thank you,” Tori says. “That was kind of you to remember Sadie.”
I hand her the mittens. “I made these for you.”
Tori’s eyes soften as she takes them from my hands. For a moment she doesn’t speak as she runs her fingers over the Scandinavian star design. “You made these?”
“I stayed up late the other night to get them finished by today.”
“You made these forme.” Her voice rises in pitch as she speaks. “I’ve never had anyone make me something that I didn’t pay for.” She swallows thickly as she looks back up. “Iknow I’m not the easiest person to get along with, but thanks for giving me a chance.”
She pulls me into a tight hug and doesn’t let me go until Sadie plows into our legs.
“Can I get a pig?” she asks as she looks up at me. “In pink.”
“Sure, but it won’t be today.”
She frowns for a second, but nothing keeps her down for long. She runs off to show Brady her horse.
Spencer finishes his call and comes to stand beside me. We continue to mingle with his family, but I’m distracted. Any second now, he’s going to propose. My palms sweat. I catch myself chewing on my thumbnail.
Spencer meets my eyes. This is the moment. I pull up as much enthusiasm as possible … but he doesn’t kneel on one knee. He tugs me from the room and down the hall to the office. Once the door shuts behind us, he turns to face me, a regretful expression on his face.
“Layla, I had a speech prepared to give in front of everyone, but I know I can’t pull it off. I would rather give you the ring here and announce our engagement to the family.”
My shoulders relax. I wasn’t ready to give the performance of the year. “That is a great idea.”
From his inside jacket pocket, he pulls out the now familiar ring box and pops it open. The diamonds are larger and more sparkly than I remember. My hand is only moderately shaking when I hold it out, and Spencer slips the ring on for the second time in less than a week. I feel a heaviness that comes from more than the weight of the diamonds.
He holds my hand in his and studies the ring. The fingers of his free hand tap against his leg. Why is he nervous? This is his idea.
“Are we ready to do this?” he asks.
“Are you having any doubts?”
He lets go of my hand and loosens his tie. “No doubt. Some nerves, maybe. Getting married isn’t something to take lightly, and I’m trying to wrap my head around how our lives are about to change.”
I’ve been so focused on getting the money for Grandmother, I have thought little about what happens after we’re engaged, but he’s right. Things will change. Wedding planning will take up my time. We’ll move in together. I’ll leave my roommates, and that’s a hard thing to contemplate. Meg, Livy, and I have been together for four years, and I’ll be replacing them with a workaholic who doesn’t have the same taste in movies that I do.
This feels real in a way it didn’t before. My stomach is queasy, but there is absolutely no turning back.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Yes.”
We head back into the family room, hands clasped together tightly as we draw support from each other.
Owen is talking with Tori and is the first to notice our return. The smile on his face slips away the second he notices the huge rock on my finger.
I turn and face Spencer, so Owen is behind me. I don’t want to see him right now. It’s too late for doubts and second-guessing. It has been since the moment I said yes atL’oie Bleue.
“Attention please,” Spencer says, and the room quiets aseveryone turns in our direction. “We have an announcement to make. I have asked for Layla’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted.”
I must have heightened awareness because I take in everyone’s response at once. Dorian claps, a gleeful smile on his face. Ginger raises an eyebrow and yawns. Ellory and Gerald give half-hearted applause. Rheta smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Where is her happiness in me joining her family like I expected after speaking with her a few nights ago?
Marianne and Brady clap, but their attention is behind me. On Owen. I can’t resist peeking at him. Owen’s shoulders fold inward. Devastation hollows out his eyes.
