Page 13 of Tarnished Vow

“Thought you might be hung over.” Nikolai handed the coffee to Luca when it was clear I wouldn’t take it.

“Same,” Luca nodded.

I didn’t drink last night, and they were both there. I stared at them, way too out of breath to push for answers.

Fine, I’ll just believe they both had the same concern for this terrible hangover that I got from not drinking.

“So, um, how’s your day going?” Luca asked, tapping his coffee. Looking at me.

It’s eight in the morning. The day hadn’t started. I can’t tolerate stupid questions when I’m this angry.

“We’re just checking on you. Is it that shocking to know we’re concerned?” Nik sipped his coffee, looking at me as if I should understand.

“Concerned about?”

Luca cursed under his breath.

“Concerned about?” I repeated.

“Maddy announced her engagement.” Nikolai sighed, dropping his shoulders.

So, she made her choice. “That’s it?” I looked between them again. I had known she was getting engaged.

“Yep, that’s it.”

“Which one did she pick?”

“Noah Voss.” Nik tilted his head, as if trying to study my reaction. Which bothered me.

I nodded. “Anything else?”

“Nope, just thought you might be upset to learn the woman you love is marrying someone else, but you know,” Nikolai shrugged his shoulders. “We’re clearly just wrong.”

“I told you all. We’re just friends. That’s it.”

Luca ran his fingers through his hair, standing up. “But you do realize that friendship changes now, right?”

Why did they keep telling me that? I wasn’t stupid. “No, not at all. I’m sure her husband won’t care if she stays at my house every second night.”

Luca shook his head, pointing his coffee at me. “Forget it. This will be a good learning experience for you.”

I scoffed; I’d learned things he couldn’t live with. Turning, I walked up the steps. I needed a shower.

I couldn’t message her. It just felt wrong to congratulate her like that. But knowing her routine, I waited across the street to see what store she would pick.

I should have known it would be shoes. Walking into the designer store, ignoring the retail assistant. Until I saw her being escorted to a private fitting room. After the assistant walked past me, I went to the room.

Madeline turned, that polite smile turning to a real one. I’d missed seeing it.

“What are you doing here?”

I shrugged. “I wanted to congratulate you.” Closing the door, “On the engagement.”

She frowned, watching as I walked towards her. “Right.” Placing her glass down, her ring catching my attention for the first time. That wasn’t the type of ring she had wanted. Why didn’t she tell him that when he gave it to her?

So, she’s just expected to wear a ring she doesn’t like for the rest of her life.

The door opened, the assistant not saying anything as she placed the shoes down. I sat patiently and silently as Madeline tried on the other heels. Though I did insist on helping her take each pair off and on.

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