Page 23 of Ring Me

“Oh lord,” I whispered back.

He pushed the box closer; I could see the beautiful ring inside, the not-tiny-at-all diamond surrounded by sapphires. Because I said I liked the color blue, I realized. How much did that cost? Holy shit.

“Maya.”

I stared at him, then the ring, then back again. His eyes widened meaningfully. The waitress was bouncing on her heels just behind him, hugging her tray, mouthing something at me. I read her lips out loud. “Yes.”

“Yes?” he repeated.

“Yes—I mean.” Shaking my head sharply, I took a huge breath. “Neptune,” I whispered, so softly only he and I heard it. The line of tension running across his forehead smoothed away. I'd almost forgotten to start the scene. Had I fucked up by saying yes first?

No. That didn't matter. There wasn't some rule book for fake engagements. This was all pretend. All of it.

Steeling myself with determination, I put my hands over his on the velvet box. If I could play a spoiled mafia brat in a hotel room, I could play a swooning bride-to-be. “Yes! Of course I'll marry you!”

Conner swept me into his arms, spinning me until I was disoriented, kissing me until my lips burned. Around us, people were cheering. Clapping. Making me forget ever so briefly that this was all an act. We weren't really engaged. I'd said the safe word.

That made it fake, right?

---