Page 142

“I knew. I helped with the ring,” Emily informed.

“Emily, is this why we had that conversation?” Claire asked.

“Maybe,” she admitted.

Claire narrowed her eyes. “You asked to compare ring sizes.”

“And you answered.”

“I thought we were bonding.”

“We were. Efficiently.”

“Emily! I told you not to be suspicious,” Noah said.

“And I wasn’t. She wasn’t suspicious then. She pieced it together now.”

“Can I just say I told you so?” Will added.

Maggie looked at him. “What?”

“I knew it.”

“Dad, no you didn’t.” Noah laughed.

“Son, let me have my moment.”

“Show us the ring,” Maggie demanded, wiping beneath her eyes.

Claire held her hand closer to the camera.

“Oh, Noah.” Maggie’s voice softened. “You did good.”

“Emily helped.”

“I helped more,” Emily corrected.

“You found out her ring size.”

“A crucial contribution.”

“How did he do it?” Will asked.

Claire looked at Noah. “In the kitchen.”

“With spaghetti,” Noah added.

“And a smoke alarm.”

Emily laughed. “That sounds exactly right.”

Ainsley pushed closer to the phone. “Can I be the flower girl?”

“Of course,” Claire said immediately.

Noah looked at her. “We haven’t planned anything.”

“That part is planned now. It was never up for debate.”