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“Just once.” She puts up her finger without looking back at me.
I watch from the booth. Sure enough, the metal crane picks up the stuffed animal, but it drops it almost immediately.
“No!” she shouts, and more than a few pairs of eyes turn toward her.
She comes back over to the table, but I grab her purse. “You’re done.”
“Just one.”
I clutch it to my chest.
“Please. It’s right there. Taunting me.” She looks back at it.
I open her purse and grab her wallet. “You need to join a support group.” I slide my fingers into where she keeps her bills, but I feel something else.
“Come on, before someone else gets to it.” She holds out her hand.
“What is this?” I pull out a ring. A diamond ring. Anewsparkling ring. “Alara, what is this?” My mouth drops open.
She sighs, and her shoulders sink. “Nothing.”
I just stare at her without saying anything.
“It wasn’t the time to share my news. You’re hurting, so I’m hurting.”
My eyes widen. “Is this an engagement ring?”
She nods.
“Oh my god! You were keeping this from me?” I stand and wrap my arms around her, filled with joy and excitement for my best friend. “I’m so happy for you.”
“But—”
“No.” I step out of her embrace and grab her left hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. “Don’t worry about that. You’re getting married!”
She nods, a big smile transforming her face. “I am.”
“Sit.” I gesture for her to take the seat across from me as I get back in the booth.
She glances at the machine but sulks and slides into her side of the booth.
“Tell me all the details.”
Apprehension is visible in the lines of her face. “First, now that you know, I have a favor to ask.”
“It’s fine if you want my mom to design your dress.” I would never stand in the way of Alara having the dress she wants for her big day.
She shakes her head and grabs my hand. “I want you to design my dress.”
My stomach flips. “Oh.”
“Think about it, okay?”
I think about it for a moment and nod before wiggling forward in my seat. “Now tell me everything.”
She does. And I’m truly happy for my best friend. She deserves all the happiness in the world, and although my belief in marriage has faltered, I was hopeful that my feelings for Rowan might be leading in the direction of conquering that disbelief.
I’m not sure I’ll ever get there with anyone else though, so I’m going to enjoy this moment through my friend.
