Page 146 of Demise

She swallows roughly before facing me.

“She’s really pretty, and kind. You could do worse,” Skyla says with a smile that couldn’t be any more strained if she tried.

“I could do a hell of a lot better, too,” I say, cupping her face in my hands as I begin swiping away her tears.

A pitiful cry escapes her as she shrugs. “We knew it was coming.”

“I’m so sorry, babygirl. I tried to fight it. I…” I break off because what the fuck am I supposed to say? There is nothing to say.

“It’s okay,” she says. “I just…maybe we could talk to her? See what her expectations are for the marriage. I mean she’s with Maggie—”

“And I’m with you,” I say, finishing her sentence, or at least I hope that’s what she was going to say. “We will figure it out, all of us, together.”

Skyla nods. “Do you have a ring yet?”

“Yeah. It’s a family heirloom.”

“Can I see it?”

I frown but reach into my pocket, where the velvet box still rests. Pulling it out, I hand it to Skyla. She pauses for a moment before popping it open. Her breath catches softly and I don’t blame her. It’s a three carat sapphire surrounded by forty diamonds. My great great great grandfather gave it to his first wife because sapphires were her favorite. It’s been passed down every generation since then.

“It’s beautiful,” Skyla whispers. “I’m sure she is going to love it.”

I can’t help but sneer, shaking my head as I slide off the car. I turn around, grabbing Skyla’s feet and dragging her to the edge of the hood. Snatching the box out of her hand, I shake my head.

“Liam, what’s—”

I cut her off by dropping to one knee, holding her hand in mine as I hold the box in my other.

“Skyla, I don’t give a fuck if someone loves it. I want you to love it. There is no one in the world I want to see wear this ring but you. It’s belonged to you from the moment I set my eyes on you.”

“Liam,” she says, her voice raspy and tears brimming her beautiful green eyes.

I slide the ring onto her finger, resting it just above her wedding ring from Asher. It looks good beside it, a little untraditional, but it’s perfect for her.

“I’m not even going to ask you to marry me if the circumstances were different. You don’t get a choice, babygirl. We are endgame. Who gives a fuck what a piece of paper says. I am yours, right here,” I say as I take her hand, covering my heart with it as I look up at her. “Forever.”

A tear falls as her mouth lifts into a smile before she drags me to her, pressing her lips to mine. Our kiss is hurried and frantic, like we can’t show each other how much we love one another fast enough.

“I love you, babygirl,” I say in between kisses.

“I know,” she says. “I love you too.”

“I know.” I nod as I pull away, gripping her neck tightly as I look at her. “We are going to make it out of this, together.”

“Together,” she nods.

I’m smiling like a fucking clown, thanking everyone that is congratulating me with a woman that is not my girl on my arm. Her hand is wrapped around my bicep, and her smile seems even more fake than mine, if you can imagine it. The new two carat diamond ring on her finger practically shimmers from the glitz and glamour that my family home has been turned into. My mom did always know how to throw a party.

I couldn’t give her my family ring, not when it looked so perfect on Skyla’s finger. So, I insisted she keep it, and I bought Maryia a new one, which she didn’t seem to mind, seeing as she could barely stop crying when I gave it to her.

Even now, at our engagement party, she can hardly keep the tears at bay. Leaning down, I whisper into her ear.

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay. Remember what we talked about. We’re friends. I want my friend happy. Maggie will be welcome over anytime.”

She gives me a grateful smile and nods. “I appreciate that. And same for Skyla. I really like her.”

I grin at that and nod. “Me too.”

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