Page 97 of When Ellie Falls in Love

Right?

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. You know Isla and Vera have Claddagh rings, right?”

Sadie nodded.

“Ellie loves the symbolism of them—how they can represent so much just by how you wear them. She’s talked about getting one before, but she never has. She would love this, especially since it came from you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Sadie felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Okay. Thanks, Dylan.”

“You’re welcome.” A playful smirk formed on Dylan’s face. “And at least now you don’t have to buy an engagement ring later. You can just use this one.”

“Shut up,” Sadie teased as she playfully shoved Dylan’s shoulder.

After purchasing the ring and saying goodbye to Dylan, Sadie headed home. She wanted to wrap the small ring box the store had gifted her, but Sadie had never wrapped a gift before in her life. So, instead, Sadie wrote Ellie’s name on top of the gift and put a heart over theiin her name. It was cheesy, but Sadie didn’t care.

She loved Ellie.

Sadie might have been too afraid to admit that before, but she knew it in her heart to be true. She loved Ellie. There was just something about Ellie that had completely flipped Sadie’s world upside down in the absolute best way. And, if she could muster up the courage, Sadie would tell Ellie that on her birthday.

There was a knock on the bedroom door as Sadie looked up to see Charlie opening the door.

“Hey, kid.” Charlie smiled at her as she sat cross-legged on the floor across from Sadie. “Whatcha doing?”

“I was trying to wrap Ellie’s birthday present, but I don’t know how.”

Charlie tilted her head slightly as her smile softened. “I can show you if you want.”

“Really?”

“Totally.” She nodded toward the small box sitting between them. “As long as you promise me that’s not an engagement ring.”

Sadie rolled her eyes and laughed. “It’s not, I promise.”

Handing the box to Charlie, she watched as Charlie opened it. Her smile told Sadie the ring was a good idea, which offered her some more relief that she’d picked the right gift for Ellie. Charlie closed the box and handed it back to Sadie.

“Ellie will love that.”

“It’s from the 1920s.”

“Oh, she’llreallylove that.”

“Right,” Sadie laughed. “Dylan said the same thing.”

“Dylan is Cameron West’s daughter, right? The doctor?”

“Yup. And Ellie’s best friend.”

“Ahh,” Charlie chuckled, “you’re so smart.”

“Meaning?”

“Befriending the girlfriend’s best friend, asking for her help picking out a gift—you’re getting major brownie points with Dylan, which I’msureshe’ll tell Ellie all about.”

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