Page 129 of A Convenient Secret
“Fuck you, X.”
“You’re warming up to me; only the closest call me X,” he mocks.
“Get the fuck out of here.”
Chapter 26
Declan
“What are we doing here?” Corm complains as we enter the jewelry store.
“Buying a ring.” I shrug, a part of me wanting my brother there and a part dreading the explanation. Maybe I should have come alone.
“A ring?” Corm’s eyebrows shoot up as the glass door swings shut behind us.
The store is all polished marble and hushed elegance. The lighting is deliberately soft, casting a glow over the displays of diamonds and gemstones—nothing too harsh, nothing too loud.
“Do you have a hearing problem?”
Corm snorts. “Did you knock someone up? Is that why I’m here?”
I sigh. “No.”
He nods solemnly. “Then you’re being blackmailed.”
“Fuck you. You’re such an idiot.”
He smirks, unfazed. “I’m just trying to narrow it down. I didn’t know you were even seeing someone.”
“The ring is for Lily,” I blurt out.
“That seems excessive for a babysitter.” Corm peruses the displays.
“Don’t be a dickhead; I’m trying to tell you that Lily and I…” Now is where it gets complicated, because I don’t necessarily want to tell him I married her already. But calling her my girlfriend isn’t right either.
“You hooked up?”
“Don’t call it that.”
“Jesus, talking to you is like pulling teeth. Is this a consolation gift, so she understands that it was a one-time thing?”
Where does his mind go? “It’s not a one-time thing. I’m serious about her.”
He cocks his head. “Isn’t she like half your age?”
“Fuck you, Corm. She’s ten years younger. But, to my surprise, it doesn’t seem to matter to her.”
“At least she can keep up with your kids, old man.” He smirks.
A sales associate approaches, immaculately put together in a sleek black dress and with a sharp smile. “Mr. Quinn, welcome. My name is Claire. We’ve prepared a selection for you. Would you like to step this way?”
Corm gives me a sideways glance as we follow her to a private consultation area—a glass-topped table surrounded by plush chairs, discreetly tucked away from the main showroom.
“So you made an appointment? Damn. You really are serious about her.”
I drop into a chair and ignore him.
Claire sets a velvet tray in front of me and lifts the cover with a flourish, revealing an array of engagement rings. They’re… fine. Elegant, classic, and completely unhelpful.
