Page 35 of The Prodigy

We ended up at Applebaum’s, which is Midling’s bootleg version of Applebee’s. Country as hell, but it was pretty delicious.

“What else you like to do on dates besides eat?” Jakari asked.

“Well, it’s Midling. It’s only so much you can do here.”

“True. I bet you’d like Atlanta, though.”

“Maybe.” I broke off a piece of bread and popped it in my mouth. “Oh my God, this bread is everything.”

He smiled. “Slow down, girl. We bout to feast, but you gotta pace yourself.”

“I like to eat.”

“Shit, me, too. We got that in common, I guess. I don’t know where your food goes, though, Lil Bit.”

Ihatedthat nickname when I was younger, but somehow, it didn’t sound bad when he said it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “I got you something.”

He set it on the table. My brain didn’t register it at first; it’s like I saw it but didn’t understand.

It was a small, black, velvet box.

I swallowed quickly. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Open it.”

I did, and it was exactly what I thought it was.

Round cut. Platinum setting. Smaller diamonds graced the band. I stared at it and felt conflicted. It was gorgeous, the kind of wedding ring you dream about, but this wasn’t a real marriage. I was a prisoner.

In a gilded cage.

“Why did you buy me this?”

Jakari shrugged and took a sip of his water. “Can’t have you out here looking single.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“I know. So why you ain’t put it on your finger yet?”

“I…” I tore my eyes away from the ring to look at his face. “I don’t know. I’m sure there were probably much cheaper ways to mark your territory.”

He ignored that. He wiped his hands on his napkin before reaching over to grab the box. He pulled the ring from its cushion and gestured to my hand.

I gave it to him and let him slide that beautiful ring onto my finger. The fit was perfect somehow, and I couldn’t stop myself from turning my hand back and forth, staring at the sparkles and hiding my smile.

He didn’t hide his, though.

“Cool,” he said. “Now it’sofficialofficial. Technically.”

“What was it before?” I teased.

“Shit, I don’t know. Lemme see.”

I held my hand up.

“Check you out. Lookin’ like a trophy wife.”

I laughed at that.

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