Page 17 of Perfectly Wedded

“It’s not the store,” I begin, stumbling over my thoughts. “I always imagined holding out for something different.”

“Which would be?”

“I don’t have a clue.” I drop my head in my hands. “I am the world’s worst bride,” I moan, trying to force myself not to feel anything about this insignificant piece of jewelry.

It’s just a ring! It’s not forever!

But in my heart, I know I’m lying. It’s more than a piece of jewelry.I thought when I’d get a ring like this, it would beuntil death do us part.

“Sorry,” I mumble, finally meeting Vale’s concerned gaze. “I usually don’t get emotionally attached to things, but a ring is symbolic. The whole‘circle never ends’thing.” I make air quotes with my fingers.

“Don’t apologize for feeling that way,” he says. “We don’t have to buy a ring here. As long as you have one before we return to South Carolina.”

“We can’t choose one later? Maybe a few months down the road?” I know I’m just delaying the inevitable by kicking the can down the road for Future Sloan to deal with.

“I’m not trying to pressure you,” Vale says softly. “But what will your sister say if we return without a proper ring?”

I cringe. “She won’t believe we’re married?”

Vale nods. Returning with a fake diamond isn’t an option if we’re going to pull this off. “Could we look somewhere else?”

“This place isn’t good enough for you?” He grins.

“The problem is it’stoogood. I’m a simple girl. I don’t need a huge rock to impress people.”

“Then it’s settled. Instead of a ring, let’s do something fun, like get coffee.” Vale knows me too well. We thank Edward and then head outside, where the sunny day is almost blinding.

The guilt I felt in the store hasn’t subsided completely, but at least it’s not eating me alive. I tell myself this ring is a business decision, not an emotional one. I’ll accept the first tiny diamond I can find.

As Vale scrolls through his phone, searching for jewelry stores, we head down the street for coffee. I sip my iced caramel latte, savoring the sweetness, but my mind can’t stay still. The city’s flashing lights and chaotic energy pull me in at every turn. Vegas is like a giant funhouse, full of mirrors and lights, and I’m completely mesmerized, barely noticing where I’m walking.

Suddenly, Vale grabs my hand, gently steering me out of the way of a lamppost I almost walk into. He knows how easily distracted I get, and Vegas isn’t helping with that. Part of it is my ADHD, sure, but the other part is him—his touch, circling through me like a slot machine on the verge of hitting the jackpot.

We pass by a pawn shop, and a glittering object in the window draws my attention. I stop to press my hand against the glass. Next to a gold necklace sits an antique velvet ring box. Inside, a small diamond winks in the bright sunlight. When I study it, I realize it’s not one diamond, but seven small diamonds in a circular shape with a center diamond in the middle. The setting looks like a flower, even though they hardly compare to the ridiculously huge diamonds we saw at Tiffany’s. But I prefer this version.

“I’ve never seen a ring like this before,” I say.

Vale looks at the ring, then me. “Are you sure about this?”

His hazel eyes catch the sunlight, and I have to remind myself:Don’t get attached. Not to the ring, and definitely not to Vale.

“I know I’m not your real wife, but I think this is the one.”

He holds my gaze and gives my hand another gentle squeeze. “You are my real wife, Sloan.” His voice is soft, but serious. “And I’ll never be ashamed to tell anyone that.”

SEVEN

Sloan

“We need to come up with a game plan,” Vale says after we’ve bought the ring. “Of how to make this look convincing so everyone believes us.”

“It’s kind of a hard job, don’t you think?” I wave a hand toward his ridiculously muscular body as we stroll along the sidewalk. “I’m just a normal girl, and you’re walking around looking like...this.No one is going to believe I’m married to you.”

Vale grins, clearly amused. “Hey, don’t sell yourself short. You’re more than keeping up. For the record, you make a hot wife.”

My body heats, even though I know he’s just trying to boost my confidence before we head back.

“But it’s going to get harder to keep the secret when we arrive home,” he says, turning serious. “They know us better.”

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