Page 268 of Wild Card

“Why?”

“Do it.”

Her gaze drops.

“The diamond belonged to Dad’s grandmother. My mom helped me design that ring. I told her what I wanted and she went to our family jeweler. Took four times to satisfy me. Jeweler knew better than to complain to April Simms. I offered more than once to have it designed here, but she wouldn’t have it.”

“Your mom helped?”

“She not only helped, she was as much of a pain in the ass as me.”

“She may like me?—”

“She doesn’t like you, she loves you. And that shit about you referring to yourself as my girlfriend ends now. I don’t want to hear it again. Not my style to gossip like a fucking woman, but you wanna know a play by play of the call? They weren’t surprised at all. Mom cried because she is so goddamned excited that it was leaking through the phone. I’m not an expert, but nothing about that reads disappointed. Get ready, Princess. Our world is about to be invaded by April Simms. Dad can only hold her back so much.”

Her face softens. “They were happy?”

“Yeah, babe, think I told you that before your tirade.”

“Talon! This is serious business. We are throwing a double whammy at our family and friends.”

“Speaking of family and friends.”

The longer it hangs, the more I know she’s not made her calls. This is not a surprise, which is why I took matters into my own hands this morning.

“Princess, call Chase first.”

“Why him? I’m thinking my grandparents will be the easiest.”

“Your brother is happy. He’s also on a tight wire waiting for you to call.”

It takes a second for understanding to dawn on her. “You already told him!”

“Yeah.”

“Why? I was going to tell him… eventually.”

“Because you are close, and in the off chance he had a problem, I wanted him to hear it from me.”

“Again, you were shielding me.”

“Always. Do I need to call Lynden and Rosie?

“No, I can handle it. Grandma is already on cloud nine about the wedding.”

“Good, now are we done with the bullshit of everyone being disappointed?”

“Ugh! I guess we have to be.”

“I’ll be home in a few hours. We have a meeting this afternoon.”

“With who?”

“The contractor, he’s agreed to speed up the timeline on the house.”

“He agreed or you demanded?”

“Same thing.” Ace motions to me through the other side of the glass door. “Gotta go.”

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