Page 135 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

It sat in the display case under glass, sparkling. When Grant had presented it to me, I had gasped in awe and delight. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had ever seen.

I stared at it, stomach twisting like I was going to be sick. My lip curled. It hurt my eyes.

That ring reminded me of everything I could have walked into by getting married. I couldn’t believe I was so stupid as to trust Grant with my entire life.

“I’m hungry,” I lied, staring at it. “Let’s get lunch.”

Holden arched an eyebrow at my disgusted expression. “It’ll just take a moment.”

Every cell in my body protested. He tugged on me hand but I stayed rooted in place. My lungs constricted, like someone was sitting on my chest.

Alarm streaked through me and my stomach tightened into a tiny ball.

“You go in and I’ll wait outside.” My voice sounded strangled.

He stared at me, eyes narrowing. I wanted to tell him, but I couldn’t. The words wouldn’t form in my mouth.

I shook my head, staring at the ground. “I don’t want to go in the store.”

“Why not?” He took a step toward me.

“Because I don’t!” I burst out, eyes wide. My gaze darted around and I heaved in a breath. I couldn’t get enough air. I glanced at the ring again.

I hated that stupid fucking ring. I hated everything it represented. My stupidity. My naiveté. All the debt I was in. That ring reminded me I once had big dreams and now I had nothing.

I swallowed past a lump in my throat, still staring at it.

“Honey.” Holden led me away from the store and I let him. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

The further we got from the store, the easier it was to breathe. By the time we got to the sushi restaurant, I could almost take full breaths again, although that panicky, shaky feeling still rattled through my blood.

“Sadie.” Holden’s hands rested on my shoulders and he peered down at me. His gray eyes were bright and concerned.

“I don’t want to go in there,” I said in a small voice.

He frowned. “Can you tell me why?”

I met his gaze and thinned my lips. “The ring in the window, it was the same design as the one he gave me.”

He nodded slowly with understanding. “Got it.”

“I freaked out.”

“I noticed.”

“I’m sorry.”

He gave my shoulders a gentle squeeze, his expression so pained. “Honey. Don’t be sorry. It’s okay.” He pulled me into a hug and I sunk into his chest, resting my head against him and closing my eyes for a moment. The tension in my chest and stomach eased as he rubbed my back in slow, steady strokes.

“You’re okay,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

I nodded against him.

We stood like that for another minute until my pulse slowed to a normal pace.

50

Sadie

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