Page 127 of Exile and Embrace

He leans across the counter, inspecting the links a little closer. “I think I have something in the back that may be perfect. We just got a new collection in that should be hitting the showcases tomorrow.”

He hurries to the back while I glance at Dawson.

I shift my weight from one side to the other. “What the hell am I doing? I didn’t think that I was ever going to get married. Now look at me.”

Dawson shrugs and crosses his arms, the blue fabric over his biceps stretching taunt. “You were already engaged to Ava when I met you. How much worse can it be?”

“So much worse. She expects more from me now. It isn’t just about picking the perfect ring anymore. It’s about living up to the expectations she has for me.”

My stomach ties itself into knots just thinking about our future.

The last thing I ever want to do is disappoint Ava, but I’ve spent a lifetime disappointing people already.

The man comes back out with a satin box before I can spiral too far.

My mouth snaps shut as he puts the box on the counter and opens the lid.

Several rings are nestled inside, all of them gold with different stones.

The man takes out two of the rings, one with a small amethyst and the other with a sapphire. The bands are delicate, big enough to support the stones but small enough to still be dainty.

I take the one with the amethyst, holding it up to the bright light.

The gold band is a little lighter in color than the other, letting the amethyst stand out as the star of the ring.

I hand it back to the man. “This is the one. This looks just like something she would wear.”

The man grins and snaps the box shut before reaching beneath the counter. He pulls out a white velvet box, nestling the engagement ring inside.

Dawson leans over to get a better look at the ring. “She’s going to love this one.”

I pull out my wallet as the man stands in front of the register to the side. “I hope so.”

As I pay for the ring, my mind turns to the next thing on my to-do list.

How the hell do I propose to Ava?

Sweat beads on my palms as I pay for the ring.

The man snaps the box shut and puts it into a small bag, cream-colored tissue paper sticking out of the top.

Declan leads the way out of the store and out into the heat.

I hold the bag tight as we make our way to his car.

He looks over at me, the corner of his mouth tipping upward. “Do you know what you’re going to say when you ask her to marry you? Please tell me that you’re going to add something about it being for real this time.”

“If I can get through the proposal without throwing up, I’m going to consider that a win.” I take a deep breath and wipe my sweaty palm on my pants. “She deserves the best, and I’m still not sure that I’m ever going to be able to live up to that.”

Dawson unlocks his car as we stand near the curb, staying out of the way of people rushing up and down the sidewalk. “If she wanted anybody else, she would be with them, Finn. Ava is a catch of a woman, and she knows what she wants. If that’s you, then you need to respect her and get over whatever makes you think that you’re not worth it.”

I nod and open the passenger door. “I know you’re right. It’s just hard to piece that all together with everything that’s happened over the last few days. I thought that being kidnapped by my brother would make her less likely to want to be with me.”

“Well, she wants you.” Dawson rounds the front of the car and opens his door. “Now, it’s time to go home and start planning your big proposal.”

I take long inhales and slow exhales, trying to calm my racing heart.

I don’t know when I’ve ever been this nervous before.

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