Page 230 of Love Redesigned

His bright eyes could rival the sun streaming through the crack in the blinds beside us. “Yes, but you said you wanted to wait until next—”

“¡Vete a la chingada! ¡Necesito verlo ahora mismo!”

The best laugh pours out of him. “You’ll have to find it first.”

“You hid it?”

“Of course. I already caught you snooping around the bedroom last week, so I couldn’t take any risks.”

My cheeks burn. When I found a jewelry insurance receipt underneath the seat of his truck after he spent the weekend in Detroit with Rafa, I was curious about what Julian bought. While my mind immediately jumped to a ring, I talked myself into assuming he had purchased a classic pair of diamond studs for my upcoming birthday.

Still, I snooped around his room, although my search came up empty.

He kisses my forehead. “If you find it, it’s all yours.”

I jump off the bed with a squeal before searching Julian’s bedroom from top to bottom.

The ensuing mess could compete with my sister’s bedroom. “It’s somewhere downsta—”

I take off for the stairs, leaving Julian behind to pick up after me, although based on his laughter, he doesn’t seem to mind.

I check every square inch of Julian’s house, including theinside of the grand piano, the cramped spot behind the toilets, and every pot, pan, and appliance big enough to hide a ring box.

¡Necesito verlo ahora mismo!:I need to see it right now.

Where is it?

Either he got smart after I found all his pro-con lists hidden throughout the house, or he never hid the ring here to begin with.

You should have known he would trick you.

My feet are heavy as I head toward the stairs, ready to admit defeat.

“Find it yet?” Julian’s deep voice echoing off the high ceilings startles me.

I follow the sound of his voice into the living room, where I find him leaning against the shelf that displays a few of his prized trophies, including hisLittle Princebook collection and the two trophies I gave him.

Wait a minute…

I checkedbehindthe trophies but never inside them.

Way to go, Dahlia.

I stand on the tips of my toes and grab theSecond Besttrophy off the shelf.

Empty.

I could have sworn—

He swaps the one in my hand for theFirst Choicetrophy I gave him last Christmas.

My eyes widen at the wood box tucked inside. I fail to control the shakiness in my fingers as I reach inside for the custom-made jewelry box.

“Did you…” I choke on the rest of the sentence as Juliangoes down on one knee.

He sets the trophy on the floor beside him before holding out his hand. I place the jewelry box in his open palm. At this angle, I can take in his craftsmanship, including the impeccable and intricately carved details.

He lifts the lid to reveal a beautiful diamond ring nestled in a velvet cushion. The vintage design resembles a flower, with a brilliant solitaire diamond surrounded by a circle of marquise-shaped diamonds that resemble petals.

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