Page 39 of A Little Twist

Her cheeks flush, and she shakes her head, taking a sip of whiskey. We’re quiet a moment, until she asks. “Why not?”

I think about those months, Jessica being pregnant, the conversations we had, the deals and negotiations between us.

“We were never in love.” Confusion lines her eyes, and I explain. “You know those stories about one-night stands that turn into love? We didn’t have that. We were too different. She wanted to travel to war zones, document what was happening, live her life on the edge of death all the time.”

“It sounds exciting.”

“Maybe. For some.” I take another sip of whiskey. “I wanted a family. I wanted Pinky, and she wanted freedom.”

“Wow. That’s tough.”

Shaking my head, I exhale a laugh. “It’s not as dramatic as you think. It was actually pretty simple. We shook hands and walked away. We both got what we wanted.”

“She gets a life of adventure, and you get a funny little girl who eats too much cake on a Sunday night?”

“I’ll take my side of the bargain any day.” I clink her glass softly. “By the way, whatever you did at bath time worked. She was asleep after three pages.”

“Just good old-fashioned lavender, cedar, and ylang-ylang.”

“I have no idea what that is, but I liked getting to hear you sing again.”

Her cheeks flush, and I watch as she sips the whiskey.

“Everyone was right,” I continue. “You’re very good with children.”

Setting her glass down, she frowns thoughtfully. “Kids are easy. Whatever they’re thinking comes right out of their mouths. I appreciate that level of honesty. A child would never ghost you.”

Leaning on my elbow I study her, liking what I see more and more with each passing minute. “It helps they have no phones or social media.”

“I still don’t think they would. Kids are too real. They don’t hide their feelings the way adults do. They don’t lie or play politics.”

“I’ve never liked politicians either.” I finish my glass, feeling more relaxed myself.

She tilts her head to the side. “You do have to play politics to sell your brand. You have to talk to people you don’t know and convince them to try your product.”

“That’s different.” I take a step closer. “I’d never ghost you.”

Exhaling a laugh, she drops her chin. “I believe you. You have no problems being direct, and it seems you always know what you want.”

She has no idea.

“Speaking of what I want, about this engagement…”

“Oh, God,” she groans, dropping her face into her hands. “What a mess.”

Reaching into my pocket, I remove a black velvet pouch I retrieved from my room before heading upstairs. “This is for you.”

Her hand lowers, and she takes the pouch from me. “What is it?”

She loosens the knot and takes out a delicate gold ring with a large diamond swaddled in two angel’s wings.

“Oh…” It comes out as a gasp. “It’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Try it on.”

Blue eyes fly to mine. “You’re giving this to me?”

She slips it on her finger, and I notice it fits perfectly.

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