Page 98 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Didn’t you want to get married?”

“Not until I met Tally.” I swig back the rest of my beer, motioning for another. Dan can keep them coming. “I designed this ring for her. He only finished it a couple of nights ago.”

Curiosity finally wins out. “May I see?”

I flip open the box, watching Stefani’s eyes light up.

“Holy shit. Well done, you. That is a huge rock.”

“It’s not that big,” I argue.

“How many carats is this?”

“Four total. That’s not the point. Tally is worth every penny. She’s worth far more than what I spent on this diamond. I just want to put it on her hand.”

“You men never make it easy.” Stefani sighs, rubbing her neck, her gaze volleying between the ring, the bar, and me. “Let me get this straight. When you and Lu met, you were not engaged.”

“No.”

Stefani and Dan exchange looks, and I know they’re trying to determine if they should forgive me or hang me. After what feels like an eternity, Dan holds out his hand.

“I can’t speak for Stef, but I believe you. Getting Lu to believe you is a different story.”

“I’m not that quick to forgive,” Stefani cuts in. “You weren’t the one holding her while she wept, after being told by yourex-fiancéethat you two were merely on a break.”

That Tally cried—again—over my actions is enough to make me sick. “We are on a break—a permanent one. The worst part is that I told Charlotte about Tally. I said how important she was to me, and how I needed to get done with this business crap because I had a very important dinner. Then Charlotte answered the door while I’m in the shower, and by the time I’m done, all hell had broken loose.”

Oh shit, not a good random statement to throw out. Time to fill in the blanks. “That sounded terrible, but it was innocent. Charlotte requested that I meet her for lunch to discuss a business opportunity on behalf of her father.”

“I call bullshit,” Stefani cuts in, her lips narrowing.

I’m headed straight to the executioner if I don’t clear things up fast. “You’d be right. Anyway, the server and I bumped into each other and she dropped coffee on me. Thankfully, it was cold. But I went home to shower, and Charlotte followed me.”

“Really?”

Crap, now Stefani doesn’t believe me.

“I swear. I wouldn’t have dropped all this money on a ring for Tally if I wanted to be with Charlotte. I left San Francisco because I realized how wrong Charlotte and I were together. We made no sense. We had nothing in common. I tired of existing in her world, more like an ornament than a fiancée. Trust me, I don’t want Charlotte here. But she’s a very spoiled and pampered woman. She’s not used to hearing the word no.”

“Women can be persistent, Stef,” Dan interjects. Thank God for brotherly camaraderie.

Stefani grumbles before nodding. “You’re right. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But,” she wags her finger at me, “that doesn’t make this situation any less screwy. I don’t want my friend hurt because your ex can’t handle the truth.”

Didn’t the woman hear a single word I’ve said? “I don’t want to hurt Tally. I fucking adore that woman. And I certainly don’t want her upset. She doesn’t need the stress.”

Another look shifts between Dan and Stefani. Figures. They both know, but my gorgeous vixen won’t tell me a word.

“What? You two have something to say?”

They shake their heads. In unison. Pack of liars.

“She’s very stressed because of her Dad,” Stefani offers.

“She said work has been tough lately,” Dan adds.

Now I know they’re covering for Tally. “Can’t forget that tenacious stomach virus. I’ve never seen one last for weeks before.”

Stefani’s pupils dilate, but her face remains impassive. She will not yield. Tally calls the woman her ride or die. Apparently, she’s living up to that reputation. “It is bad, but she’s under so much stress, I’m not surprised her body is acting out.”

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