Page 19 of Why Not Forever?

“Don’t be stubborn,” I say. “If the marriage is temporary, why should you spend money on a ring?”

“Why is irrelevant. I already bought it.”

My mouth drops open in shock. He taps my chin, and I shut it again.

“When?” I ask.

“Friday. I went to a couple stores on Wednesday. A couple more on Thursday. Found one I think you’ll like and bought it on Friday. They even had your size, so I walked right out with it.”

I narrow my eyes. “How do you know my ring size?”

“I asked Richard. I told him our date went really well and I’m confident, when I ask you to marry me, you’re going to say yes, and if everything goes right, we should be announcing our engagement before the end of the month. Then I said I wanted to get the ring, so I was ready, and did he know what your ring size was?”

My brows draw down. “Did he?”

“No. But Karen did.”

“You toldmy momabout the engagement?” Everything about this conversation is shocking, but this might be the biggest. Though I have to admit, it’s nice that he’s telling me and not trying to do things behind my back. It makes me feel like we’re really in this together.

“No. Richard called her. Lied right to her. Said he was considering buying you a ring for your birthday. Which is ridiculous because your birthday is in January.” He shrugs. “She believed him, and I bought it that day.”

“How do you know when my birthday is?” I ask.

Tanner rolls his eyes. “Other than the fact that I’ve been to the family dinner two years in a row when it’s celebrated?”

“Oh. Right.”

“Also, I remembered. We went out for dinner for your birthday after we all graduated. Spencer made those reservations at that really expensive place. It was the one and only time I’ve been to Gotham Steak House. Derek and Adalie came, too, and Spencer insisted on paying for everyone. He said he’d rather we come and have him pay than us not come because we couldn’t afford it. None of us had jobs at the time.”

“I remember. I’m just…”

“What?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’m surprised you do. Anyway, if you already have the ring, where is it?”

He smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know? I’m not giving you your engagement ring at your best friend’s wedding. From what I hear, that’s almost as serious a faux pas as wearing a white dress or announcing a pregnancy.”

I give him a wry smile. “It’s the actual engagement you’re not supposed to do. We’re technically already engaged. Though, I admit. You have me intrigued. When are you planning to give me this ring, then?”

The song ends and a faster one begins. Which is when I realize how close I’m pressed against Tanner’s chest. He’d drawn me closer by degrees so small I hadn’t noticed. What’s more shocking, though, is the fact that I don’t want to move away.

He spins me out under his arm and tugs me back to where I had been before, with his arm wrapped around my back and mine wrapped around his shoulders, our hands clasped. We ignore the beat of the music and dance to our own.

“I don’t know yet,” he says. “What do you want to do? I could give it to you tomorrow, or we could do an engagement photo shoot. I could hire a photographer.”

“A photo shoot isn’t a bad idea. It would definitely add legitimacy to the whole thing. But Ava would probably want to do it, and they’re going away for a couple days.”

“That’s a short honeymoon.” he says.

“They’re going on their honeymoon in September. This is just a little getaway”

“Can you wait until we can set up a photoshoot?” he asks, his tone teasing.

I lift my chin. “Of course I could. I am incredibly patient when I need to be. But if we’re announcing our engagement to my parents on Thursday at dinner, I should probably have the ring before then.”

He laughs. “Right. Very practical. You’re not dying to see it at all.”

I don’t deign to respond to that, but he’s right. I’m incredibly curious to see what he’s bought. And if he knows my style as much as he seems to know what I’m feeling.

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