Page 123 of From Us, Forever

“I had it custom-made for you,” he said, and I frowned, watching as it broke into two arches that he carefully screwed tight around my wrist. “Guess what? I get to keep this.” He grinned, sliding the screwdriver into his inside pocket. “Only I get to open it.”

Loved the message, but today I didn’t feel it. It was a stunning gold piece studded with diamonds twinkling under the low lights, and on the side, it had a little engraving that said E hearts J. “Thank you, Jay.” I sighed, hiding my fallen face in his chest.

Minutes later, I couldn’t take the cold anymore so we retired back to the room, I left Jay to his devices while I went in search of the girls and Gabe.

I thought I’d end up being engaged tonight instead I carried my heavy heart across the room warding off my sullenness.

I mustered a fake smile while a few other people congratulated me, they were all friends and colleagues of Jay so I didn’t linger much.

I found Katy, Lily, and Gabe huddled at the kitchen breakfast table and sank into the empty chair beside Katy.

“So did my brother pop the question?” Lily’s excited eyes met mine.

Thank God those three were alone in the kitchen because I needed to vent.

“Nope,” I rolled the ‘p’ with my tongue. “Your dear brother gave me this instead.” I waved my hand, adding venom to my tone. It’s not like I didn’t love the bracelet. Maybe in a different time, I would have.

“Oh, it’s a Cartier love bracelet. It’s cute,” Katy commented as she took my hand in her dainty ones. “But I assume it’s not what you wanted tonight.” Sympathy glinted in her eyes. But even then, she was glowing. The subtle luminesce and healthy flush in her skin, thanks to her swollen belly, made her more gorgeous. I couldn’t believe that Katy was the first of us to have a baby, but I was so excited and happy for her.

“Do you think I should have a word with my brother?” Lily narrowed her gaze, shooting lasers at her brother from across the room.

And my eyes couldn’t help but dash to the pretty diamond sitting on her ring finger.

A lot changed within the past months as if the twilight zone graced us—Katy and Lily both got married within a matter of months, and Gabe had gotten engaged to Rory. I know in my head it wasn’t really a competition, and I was happy for them more than anyone in this world, but I wanted to call Jay my husband. I didn’t have anyone left in this world, and there was only one person I wanted to fill that spot.

I was “the eleven-year-old girlfriend”—counting the years we were apart because I was mentally with him even then. I waited every day since after we recovered from the incident, hoping he would pop the question at any turn, but he didn’t. It was embarrassing at this point to even hope for it.

“I think I need wine.” I paused when Gabe’s kind eyes met mine. “A bottle or two.” Hell, I wasn’t getting married or having a baby, and I know I should be celebrating my book release, but getting drunk sounded a whole lot better because if not, I was going to cry.

“One cold glass of wine for my girl.” Gabe handed me a glass, and we all clinked them, mumbling cheers—for what?I had no idea.

I downed the entire glass in one go and started pouring my next.

“Maybe Katy and I could drop some hints to him,” Lily suggested, leaning forward as her elbows dug into the counter.

“No,” I said sadly. “That’s pathetic.”

“It’s not, chica. Maybe he wants to wait until tomorrow,” Gabe added, trying to cheer me up.

“Yeah, I think so too. Knowing Emmie, he would want it to be something very special—so maybe he wrote a proposal song.” Katy smiled, squeezing my arm.

“No, it’s not happening tomorrow,” I firmed, sipping my wine.

We were all flying down to LA tomorrow. The band released their sixth studio album and had a midnight concert to celebrate it. I had actually gotten over my hatred for the city and visited with Jay for a few of his work trips, but I knew in my heart that he would never ask me to marry him there. Especially in front of the world. We liked our quiet moments.

Lily gave me a pointed look. “You don’t know that.”

“Jay wouldn’t propose to me in LA,” I repeated.

They all let out a collective sigh.

At the moment, I wasn’t even mad at him. I was sad. “Do you all think… that maybe… he doesn’t really want to marry me?”

“Impossible,” Katy and Lily blurted at the same time while Gabe screeched, “No.”

“Or maybe he is still not sure about us,” I muttered, glancing over my shoulder at him. His eyes found me in an instant, and a wide smile spread across his lips that sent butterflies to my stomach before he returned to the conversation.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone more convinced about anyone in my life before.” Gabe’s voice reached my ears but I didn’t turn away.

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