Page 136 of The Ruse

“It is.” He nodded. “I had my family’s jeweler custom-make it. It wasn’t ready until this afternoon, which is why I was late.” He pulled the necklace from the box and held it out for me to hold and get a closer look. “It’s to symbolize the roses The Phantom gave Christine after each performance.”

I took it in my hand, my fingers trembling slightly, as I examined the rose pendant that seemed so small for how detailed it was. How did someone even make something like this?

“The rose is made out of rubies,” Nash explained. “And the thin row of black diamonds around the stem are supposed to be like the black ribbon The Phantom tied around the roses.” He pointed to the tiny detail. “I wasn’t sure if you preferred gold or platinum since I’ve seen you wear jewelry with both, but I thought the gold would look nice against your skin.” He lifted his gaze to mine, a tentative look in his blue eyes. As if he was worried I wouldn’t like it.

And I knew I’d been so mad at him before. But for him to do something so thoughtful like this…

I guess I could understand why he wanted to pick it up and make sure I got it.

“It’s beautiful,” I said before he could think I didn’t like it.

It was exquisite and possibly one of the most thoughtful gifts I’d ever been given.

“Glad you think so.” He licked his lips. “And I know you said you don’t feel the same about me anymore, and that this could be potentially very awkward. But I’d already ordered it before winter break. And since it was literally designed for you, I figured I’d give it to you, anyway.”

A custom-designed necklace made from rubies, black diamonds, and what had to be very high-quality gold?

It probably cost a lot of money.

“Are you sure you want to give it to me?” I asked. “Because it’s beautiful, but I don’t… well…”

“You don’t want to give me the wrong idea?” he guessed, a flash of sadness crossing his expression.

I nodded.

He sighed, as if a part of him had hoped I was still open to the possibility of us. But then he said, “I’d still like you to keep it, if you don’t mind. It might not mean the same thing I’d been hoping it would when I ordered it, but it’s kind of even more symbolic this way. Because just like Christine didn’t choose The Phantom who gave her all those roses in the end, you’re not choosing me.”

Well, now I felt really bad…

He must have seen the worry in my face because he chuckled lightheartedly and said, “It’s okay, Elyse. You don’t need to look at me like that.” He shrugged. “Believe it or not, you’re not the first girl who hasn’t picked me. Yes, it might sting a little, but I’m sure I’ll eventually get over it. My mom always says I fall too hard too fast, so this isn’t the first time it’s happened to me and I’m sure it won’t be the last time, either.”

“Yeah?” I asked, hoping it was true that he’d be okay.

He nodded. “In fact, if you take Asher off the market for me, I think my chances will get better since he’s usually my biggest competition.”

“You two usually fight over the same girls?” I asked.

“I might have tried to win over Bailee before they started dating.”

“Really?” I asked, genuinely shocked.

“Didn’t work, obviously.” He shrugged again. “But it seems to be how it is for us. Always wanting the same things.” He made a face. “I mean, people. You’re a person and not a thing, of course.”

“Yeah…”

“Anyway…” He cleared his throat and pointed to the necklace. “Want me to help you put that on?”

“Sure.” I handed him the necklace and then swiveled around on the bench, so my back was to him.

I pulled my hair away from my neck, and he was just in the process of hooking the chain through the tiny clasp when Asher appeared out of the corner of my eye.

He had just stepped out of the elevator down the hall and seemed to stumble a little when he noticed Nash and me.

I looked at him with wide eyes, worried that he might think this was something more than it was. But instead of meeting my gaze, he just trained his eyes on the ballroom doors ahead and walked right past us.

Of all the things for Asher to see tonight, this was probably the one that looked the worst.

“I know I was a jerk to Asher backstage,” Nash said under his breath as he finished with my necklace. “But I promise I didn’t plan for him to see us doing this.”

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