Page 16 of Her Counterfeit Christmas
I open the ring box and study the ring. It sparkles in the candlelight. I look up at Spencer. Engaged to a friend isn’t the worst way to end the evening. He’s offering me help and support; both of which I desperately need. I feel hope for the first time this year.
“Yes,” I say.
The grin that spreads across his face is almost a gloat, like he won a competition, and I’m the prize. Maybe I should’ve made him work harder for my acceptance. I’m positive his favorite aspect of being a lawyer is winning. I’ve never met anyone so competitive.
He removes the ring from the box. I hold out my left hand, and he slips it onto my finger. It’s a little snug, but that’s good. The diamond is enormous; if the band were loose, it might slip off.
It’s only now that I consider how my roommates will respond to the news of myengagementto Spencer. Meg was worried I’ddatehim again. Marriage? She will freak.
I burst out in nervous laughter.
“What?” Spencer asks, looking up from my hand.
“Can you imagine what Meg and Livy will say when they find out?”
He shakes his head. “They’ll try to talk you out of it, I’d guess. They hate me.”
He speaks the truth. They have longer memories than I do.
Leaving tomorrow for a week will mean I don’t have to deal with their suspicions about our sudden engagement, though I feel terrible about bailing on our plans. Then I remember Meg’s family is visiting, so our plans would change anyway. They’ll be fine without me.
One thing that will be challenging is not being here for Nana. I haven’t gone more than two days without visiting her since she moved into assisted living. Either she’ll be oblivious to my absence or worry when I don’t visit, both terrible options. I tell myself this week away will be worth it because it will provide a way for me to take care of her going forward.
“Tell me about Maine,” I say, consciously making myself not think about Nana being alone.
Spencer swallows his last bite of his crème brûlée. “My grandfather owns a cabin on the coast. Or, I guess it’s Grandmother’s now.” He shakes his head as if trying to dislodge the oddness of the situation. “It’s right by the ocean with a remarkable view of the sunrise over the water. My cousins and I grew up spending summers there every year. When I worked with my grandfather at the New York law office before moving to the Salt Lake City office, we spentweekends at the cabin. For such a small town, they have decent food.”
It sounds idyllic. “Can you get me a plane ticket by tomorrow?”
“Already done.”
I can’t help but feel a bit manipulated. “You were that sure I would say yes?”
“No, but in case you did, I wanted to be prepared. I’ll send a car to your apartment to pick you up at eight. Pack warm. Maine winters are cold. Colder than Salt Lake, even.”
Another concern rises. “Are you going to leave me alone with your family while you work?”
He shakes his head. “My client’s court case is scheduled for mid-January and it’s solid. We’ll be able to enjoy the holiday together.”
I’ve always had to compete with Spencer’s clients. It will be a new experience to have uninterrupted time with him.
He leans close. “I can’t wait for you to meet my family. You will love them.”
It’s the perfect thing to say to me. “I’m excited to have a family Christmas.”
He points to my dessert plate. “Are you finished with yourgateau? Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
As we walk the few blocks to where I parked, he holds my gloved hand. It’s just the two of us, and it’s lovely. Freezing, but lovely.
When we reach my car, Spencer leans in for a kiss, his gloved hand on my cold cheek. His lips are firm and sure. I feel no zing or tingles at his touch, but the kiss is familiar, just like him.
Only as I’m crossing in front of my car to the driver's side do I see the ticket attached to the windshield. The parking meter must have expired. My heart sinks at another expense I can’t afford, but before I can open it, Spencer whisks it from my hand.
“I’ll have my assistant take care of it,” he says.
Just like that, the stress over my debt disappears. Until this moment, it didn’t hit me how much I’d appreciate having Spencer as a fiancé.
