Page 12 of Lightness In My Dark

“I guess we forgot about the engagement ring.”

He gestured for me to take the box. I took it without opening.

“Don’t you want to see the ring?”

I didn’t trust my voice, which had a liking to gargling with stones. I raised the lid, speechless, staring at the beautiful ring. A double ring of diamonds with a cushion cut center stone set on a diamond platinum band. It was perfect! And I’m sure expensive! This ring… the size stunned me. Irritated, Finn took the ring out and slid it onto my left ring finger.

“Finn, this is gorgeous.”

The left corner of his mouth quirked up, exposing his adorable dimple with his eyebrow cocked. “2.3 carats; not huge, but enough to impress.”

I spread my fingers apart, tipping my hand back and forth, mesmerized by its sparkle. Unsure if I should thank him, Finn spoke instead. “I didn’t want to go too crazy, since this is all fake.” And there he ventured, making this whole situation seem so shady. I mean, yes, it wasn’t real, but harping on it with such comments didn’t help my esteem in this ‘fake’ relationship. I lowered my hand to my lap, caressing the ring and twisting it back and forth.

Finn adjusted in the seat and said, “You can keep the ring.” I looked up with a confused expression. “I mean, when this is all over. When we divorce, you can keep the ring.”

My right finger outlined the outer diamond rings. “No, that wouldn’t be right. I’m sure this was very expensive and—”

“It’s fine. I can’t give it to another woman, so you might as well have it.”

I avoided saying anything, only offering a simple smile. It made sense. No woman would want a recycled engagement ring.

He stood with his hands in his pockets. “On Monday, we have appointments with a wedding planner and a photographer for the engagement announcements.”

“Huh? An engagement announcement. Like one you find in a newspaper?”

“Uh, yeah, that would be what they’re called.”

I took a deep breath and released it through my mouth.

“Trevino Holdings has been a longstanding business in this city. I’ve been a well-known bachelor, and it’s a tradition for wealthier families to announce important events.” I sighed while he looked me over. “Is this going to be a problem?” I shook my head. “Good. I took the day off. We should spend some time together tomorrow. To get comfortable with one another and learn personal things, which might come in handy later.”

I agreed, and Finn left the room, shutting the door behind him. I inhaled his scent that shot chills through my body.

Damn! When it comes to Finn, my body is always at odds with my head.

My mind flirted with the personal questions I’ll need to discuss, along with Monday’s appointments. The pillow fell to the floor as I stretched my legs out. I released a long breath, head settling against the wall.

What kinds of things? Favorite color and food? It won’t be so bad. I hope no one I know sees the announcement in the paper. My friends will bombard me with questions.

I angled my hand left and right, admiring the ring.

My ring. Let the charades begin.

Chapter 4 – The Wedding Planner

FINN

It was a tense weekend having Wren move in. A sensory overload. I struggled to tame the uneasiness of having someone sleeping in my house. Aside from my brother Carter and his wife Lindsey, no one slept over. The wait for her to arrive, late at that, had me itching with impatience.

My bark was worse than my bite, but she didn’t know it. I lashed out at her because I didn’t want the damn proposal, yet it gave me leverage for the CEO position. It showed stability and represented loyalty. Every time I thought of my predicament, a boa constrictor vice clamped down on my chest. Alessandro had done a great job as CEO, and the board members weren’t in a hurry to officiate any changes, which left me taking drastic measures.

Wren and I talked about menial topics, such as our favorite colors, movies, and what we liked and disliked. A romantic dreamer with her rom-com movies. I rolled my eyes at how cliché she was until she mentioned having tattoos. I hated tattoos. She assured me all clothing would hide them. I didn’t think she’d be the tattoo type, which is why she no longer fell into the cliché category.

Although her wardrobe reflected the colors of a cemetery, she surprised me when claiming red as her favorite color. While we talked, she avoided eye contact most of the time, fidgeting in her seat, and the thumb rubbing drove me nuts. The opportune times when she did look up, I caught sight of her eyes. A spring forest green with an inner yellow ring, as if capturing the sun. If watered, they’d turn light like a shiny granny apple. They were gorgeous. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see them much with her eyes downward or turned away.

Unless I asked her questions or offered information, she remained quiet, finding answers in her lap or around us. I got frustrated, demanding her attention. Talking into her hands and avoiding eye contact appeared weak and shifty. I told her she better find confidence quick. Of course, berating her only made things worse, and her conduct provoked me to berate her. A vicious circle.

The next day, I drank my coffee while waiting for Wren. We had a 9:00 am appointment with the photographer for the engagement announcement. Once she came downstairs, I couldn’t help but voice my disapproval at her attire.

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