Page 94 of Surprisingly Us

She arches her brow. “I’m not familiar with the best friend protocol for fake relationships. Do I have to pretend I like him, too?”

“I’m new to this as well, but I think you smile and pretend we’re the cutest couple you’ve ever seen.”

“Hmm. I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“Did you know that Chloe and Barrett fake dated?” I ask.

“I think I heard that from Emma.” Her lips twitch. “Does anyone else know about you and Rhys?”

“Only Isabella and Rhys’s assistant, Ramsey. And now you.” I pause remembering Sebastian knows, too. “Oh, and Sebastian.”

She nods. “Okay. Does the relationship have an expiration date?”

“After The Spencer Foundation board votes on its new president in a few months. That will be after evaluations so hopefully we’ll both have gotten what we wanted.”

We spend the next hour catching up on her honeymoon and what has been happening between me and Rhys the past few weeks. I’m thankful that when she’s gone, I’m able to crawl into bed and fall asleep. I need the rest because tomorrow is a big day.

CHAPTER 28

Rhys

“Let me see that one.” I point to the ring that first caught my eye. The one that immediately called to me because I could see how it would fit perfectly on Lettie’s finger. How elegant and sophisticated it is, just like her.

Pascal, the jeweler, takes it from the felt insert and hands it to me.

Jerrod and Corinne’s engagement had been a surprise. I guess when you’ve been dating someone for four years, it could happen at any moment, but the self-satisfied smile on Jerrod’s face gave him away. He couldn’t help but throw it in my face. That’s what he gets off on, not only the competition, but winning.

On the way home, Lettie tried to assure me that Jerrod and Corinne’s engagement wouldn’t be a factor in how the board votes, but the feature article that accompanied their photo and engagement announcement online today made me think otherwise.

The article was more than speculating that Jerrod would be taking the board president position at The Spencer Foundation. My grandfather was even quoted in the article, confirming that Jerrod was an exceptional candidate and that the engagementto Corinne was evidence of his commitment to the foundation’s strong family values.

In the past, I would have brushed this off. Not let Jerrod’s antics affect me, but every decision I make up until the board votes is critical. I’ve got to start thinking like him. Scheming. Strategizing. It’s the only way I’ll be able to compete with him.

Holding the delicate platinum band between my fingers, I inspect the ring at every angle. The princess cut diamond shimmers as I rotate it under the light. The small diamonds surrounding the center stone only add to its brilliance.

For a moment, I let myself imagine this ring on Lettie’s finger. How it would feel to hold her hand with the solid gem beneath my fingertips.Mine.

The ring is perfect. It’s what I would pick out for Lettie, if this was real.

I’m caught off guard by the thought, and the rush of satisfaction it gives me.

Clearly, I’m losing my mind. The idea that I would be proposing marriage at all is wildly entertaining, but to have the woman be Lettie is even more absurd.

A woman like her would never hitch her wagon to mine. Not for real.

My chest aches as I hand the ring back to Pascal, but an engagement between me and Lettie would only be for show, so I don’t need to consider what kind of ring she would want. My only focus right now is to demonstrate to the board that, like Jerrod, I am serious about commitment and family. And to do that, I need to propose to Lettie.

“I’ll go with the first one,” I tell him, clearing my throat. Doing my best to ease the tightness that has worked itself there.

He nods, then places Lettie’s perfect ring back in the case before taking the ring I’ve selected to the back for polishing.

It’s a beautiful ring. Flashy and over-the-top, like the one Jerrod put on Corinne’s finger.

I lean back in the chair. With so much attention on me and Lettie lately, I’d opted to come in the back door of Pascal’s jewelry store and use a private room. As Ramsey had suggested, I thought the publicity would be helpful with showing the public, and especially the board, that Lettie and I are in a strong, committed relationship, but Ramsey has shown me several posts and photos that felt intrusive. Not just of us as a couple, but of Lettie on her own, walking to practice or leaving her apartment.

The back door clicks and I look up from my phone.

Ramsey walks in and with the biggest shit-eating grin on his face, he saunters over to where I’m sitting.

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