Page 33 of Forbidden Love Still Blooms

"Is this a rock?" he asks.

"No. It's a chunk of glass from the ocean."

"It's pretty. Worth anything?"

"Not really, not on its own. I collect them for—hey!"

His interest evaporates; he chucks it into the grass, ignoring my look of frustration. He snatches the cash from my hands, counting the six hundred out, whistling as he does it. “You weren't fucking with me. Okay, good.” Folding the money, he tucks it into his back pocket. “One last thing before I go.”

“What?” I ask in exasperation.

“Where's your engagement ring?”

I stiffen up, catching the venom in his stare. His eyes move down to my hand; I cover it. I can't tell him Jordan ripped his ring off and threw it out like trash. “It fell off in the sand. I tried to find it but couldn't.” My heart is thumping madly while I wait to see if he believes me.

Dezmond shrugs, opening his car door. “Whatever. It was worth less than that shiny rock you had, just needed something to sell the proposal to everyone. Though it's gonna look weird at the engagement party if your hand is naked.”

Baked ziti floods up my throat; I swallow. “Engagement party?"

“Yeah, my house this Friday. Invite whoever you want, Jordan is paying for it.”

That's only five days from now.My head is spinning. “We don't need a party.”

“No, but I fucking love them so we're having one. Anyway, forget about the ring, it'll be a funny story you can tell. Make people smile and laugh and shit. But the next one I give you, when we sign the paperwork to make this official?” He smirks at me through the gap in his car's window. “You'll never take it off.”

Chapter 13

May 18th

I'mawakebeforemyeyes open. Lying there in the safety of the darkness, I allow myself to pretend I'm still asleep. This lucid state is better than my dreams; I have no control over those, and they're often twisted, terrible visions that belong splashed across a horror movie. If I don't move, barely breathe, I can hold onto this limbo a little longer.

My phone vibrates. Rolling onto my side, I stare blearily at the screen.It's already after 9?I'm normally an early riser, but the past week has ruined my sleep schedule. The exhaustion finally caught up with me. Pushing my hair out of my face, I read the text message.

Mom: Dezmond's father ordered ten flower arrangements for today.

I drop my head lower, groaning.The engagement party.It's already here. My life has been moving at break-neck speed ever since Dezmond stormed into the shop and robbed the register. Tapping my thumb on the phone, I type back.

Me: Why did he order so many?

Mom: Guess he wants to show how excited he is for you and Dezmond.

My eye starts twitching. I don't want Jordan happy for me, not about this. I haven't seen him since he chased me into the ocean. It's almost like he's avoiding me. I have my theories as to why, but none of them are comforting.

Mom: Anyway, the problem …

Me: Uh oh.

Mom: Party is at noon. The delivery driver can't take them all. Can you pick them up? I hate to ask, but I don't want to close the store and do it myself.

Me: It's fine. I should get out of bed and get ready anyway. I'll be there soon.

Mom: Thanks. Love you, honey.

Me: Love you too!

Blowing air from my nose I flop back onto my pillows. The proposal at the parade was bad, but today will be awful. I didn't invite anyone to the party after Dez told me about it. My mom found out when Jordan ordered the flowers two days ago. She gave me a hard look, and when she asked why I kept the party a secret, I said, “I know you hate Dezmond. I figured you wouldn't want to be involved.”

Mom had looked incredibly hurt by that. Worse, she'd assured me, “Even if I have my concerns, I trust your heart, Lori. You see something in him that I don't. I'll support your engagement a hundred percent.”

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