Page 72 of The Two of Us

“Maybe don’t do that,” she sighs. “I don’t have the energy to hold back your hair.”

“I’m sorry.”

Cat links her arm with mine, and I release a breath of relief. “I don’t like you very much right now.”

I hang my head. “I know.”

“But I still love you.”

“I know.”

***

I’m still wallowing in guilt when Brandon comes over that night. I think about Cat the entire time we make out, and as if he can sense something amiss, he asks, “Are you thinking about someone else right now?”

“Cat.” I frown.

He rolls over onto his back. “Usually that would be an extreme turn-on, but unfortunately, I don’t think I stand a chance against her.”

I smack his arm. “Shut up.”

He laughs, sitting up. “I have something for you.”

I scoot to the headboard of my bed and cross my legs as he pulls something small from his pocket. The little square box is a rich green velvet and has a red silk ribbon tied around it in a perfect bow.

“What is it?” I say, reaching for the box and he smacks my hand away. I fake a pout.

He pulls the small gold band from the inner cushion. “It’s called a promise ring.”

Setting my hand in his lap, he slips it onto my ring finger. I look closer and the band looks as if it’s made of woven branches. A small garnet stone lies at its center.

Noticing my confusion, Brandon says, “It’s my birthstone.”

“I know. How… sweet.”

“I just figure with how serious things are getting, it’s nice for you to have something to represent that. To show people that you belong to me.”

“We need a ring to say all that?”

He clenches his jaw. “It’s supposed to be romantic, Mara. If you don’t like it, I can return it.”

“No, no,” I rush. “I love it. I swear. But… what exactly are you promising?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “That it’s me and you forever. That no one will ever love you as much as I do.”

I can’t decide if that’s romantic or not. It’s unsettling—the idea that no one will ever love me as much as Brandon. In fact, I think it sounds like the most depressing thing in the world but despite the warning bells in my ears, I twist the ring around my finger and lean into him.

“I love it. I love you. Thank you,” I whisper, kissing him deeply.

We settle back onto my pillows and begin discussing which movie to watch.

“Hey.” I nudge his side. “Why didn’t you use my birthstone?”

“Because I don’t know it.” He laughs as if it’s a stupid question.

And I laugh along with him, ignoring the little voice in my head telling me that there’s nothing even remotely funny about that.

***

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