Page 18 of Offside Bride

Mr. Sorokin gives me a look. “You are lucky man.”

I honestly have no idea what he means by that.

He sets three different rings on the velvet side by side. They are similar in size and cut but have different embellishments. One has a circle of tiny diamonds around the big one. Maggie tries them all on, one after another, holding them in place so the setting doesn’t slide this time. Each one is more stunning on her finger than the last, but she doesn’t seem convinced. Her level of discomfort is making me feel itchy.

“These are probably really expensive. Are there any…less flashy?”

“You’re marrying a pro athlete,” I grunt. “There are expectations for my wife. The flashier the better.”

“These all beautiful, but they do not sing for you,” Mr. Sorokin says. “I have special collection for special lady.”

He gathers the two trays and slides them back inside the cabinet and locks it. Then he walks across the room and stops in front of a framed painting of tall ships. He slides his fingers under the frame, and it opens on hinges, toward us, so we can’t see what’s behind.

It’s a safe, of course, but the only thing he seems interested in is hiding the combination. He makes quick work of it and makes his way back to us with a small box in his hands. It’s about the size of a cigar box but looks like it’s made of titanium. Superman couldn’t get into that box.

He seems rather pleased with himself as he unlocks it, opening it gingerly and reverently. Then he takes out a single ring resting on its own little pedestal. It’s incredible but so large, I’m afraid Maggie’s left hand will drag on the floor everywhere she goes.

“Go ahead. Put it on.”

Maggie seriously looks like she’s about to bolt out of here. Like the ring is made out of Anthrax or something. She’s sitting erect, hands poised on the arm of her chair as if she’s ready to push off and fly for the door. I swear if she makes a move for the exit, I’m going to hold her down in a scissor hold. I wasn’t fully on board with this ridiculous scheme before, but we’re here now, and I’ll be damned if I have to go through another rejection.

Mr. Sorokin sets the ring down on the velvet, right in front of Maggie. She has an unreadable expression on her face, but there’s a distinct shift in her posture.

“What is the matterkrasivaya? Do you not like pink color? It is very classy, I tell you.”

She’s going to run, I just know it.

But then Mr. Sorokin’s phone chimes. He doesn’t check it at first but then gives in after it sounds again. He looks down through his bifocals at the notification. “These things. I can never figure out, you know?” He grumbles as he taps on thescreen. “Ah, okay. I see now. Will you excuse me a moment? I have delivery. Very important.”

“Take your time,” I say. “We’ve got all afternoon. Right, honey?”

I reach to rub circles on Maggie’s back, and she gives me the slowest of slow side-eyes. There’s murder behind them, and frankly, I don’t blame her. She hates me. And that’s valid.

Mr. Sorokin leaves the room, closing the door behind him, and I sit back in my chair, ending the doting fiancé ruse.

She sighs and glowers at me.

After a minute of dreaded silence I say, “Why did you change your mind?”

I’m genuinely curious, but also, I just want to break the deadly silence.

“About the ring? I didn’t. A fake one will do. Just like this wedding.”

“Not the ring. I meant…us. The marriage. You were so against it. Why change your mind?”

She turns slightly in her seat and crosses her arms. “I could ask you the same thing. What was that you said? Oh yeah. ‘I’d rather lose endorsements than be married to Maggie.’”

And I stand by that. But not in the way she thinks.

“So? You tell me, and maybe I’ll tell you.”

“Why I changed my mind?” I say.

“Yes,” she says curtly.

Why I changed my mind…Maybe because the cat was out of the bag. Her name, her face was already out there. Because there was no better way to protect her than by keeping her close. She was already a target. If anyone wanted to get to me through her, it wouldn’t be difficult. The only way to keep her safe is to bring her into my home.

Under my protection.

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