Page 7 of Conveniently Theirs

She takes Josh’s hand and strokes the wide band that matches mine. Clasping my hands, I mimic her movements and caress the satiny platinum ring.

“Josh, do you really want a ring? I won’t allow you to move this one to another finger. We could just get me a plain band. Lots of guys don’t wear wedding rings.”

“No, darlin’, we’re doing this right. Besides, themore outward and physical representations of our love people can see, the more they’ll believe. I’ve been thinking about different possibilities.”

He has? This is new to me and I slide down to sit properly in the chair and lean forward, waiting for him to continue.

“If we had time, I’d suggest finding matching gemstones and have one set into this band.” He glances at me, eyes filled with questions.

I nod. That would be a perfect way for him to keep us both close.

He frees his hand and touches two fingers to his heart before focusing on Keni again. “But there’s not time for that. Second idea is to try to match your band to this one. But that doesn’t feel right. You deserve a ring, a look of your own. So how about this? You pick out whatever wild engagement style ring you can find—we can always replace it later with something better—with a narrow wedding band. There’s room on my finger for a matching, simple narrow band.”

“I don’t need an engagement ring.”

“But, sweets, you do,” I interject. “It’s all part of the illusion. Doesn’t have to be diamonds. Under the circumstances though, especially if you go with a plain wedding band, it needs to be showy.”

“I’m not a showy kind of girl. You know that.”

“Do you trust me?” I ask.

After looking back and forth between Josh’s hope filled face and the calm expression I’m fighting to maintain, she nods slowly. “I do.”

“Good, keep practicing saying that.” I chuckle as a bright pink tints her cheeks. “I’ve done a little ring reconnaissance?—”

Josh frowns. “When did you have time for that?”

“You had business. I had free time. May I continue?”

“Please do, love,” Josh says, earning him a side-eye glance from Keni. We may need to be more aware of our use of endearments around her—and others.

“There are two jewelers who carry enough stock we should be able to find what we want in the appropriate sizes. In the morning we’ll get the license first. Then rings. After lunch, Keni and I will outfit shop.”

“I want to help.”

“Sorry, Josh. I’m going with the old tradition here. You can’t see the bride in her outfit until the ceremony.”

He crosses his arms and glares at me. “Fine.”

Keni sticks her tongue out at him. “Poor baby.Believe me, I’d just as soon not go shopping.” I receive the same gesture. “However, someone won’t let me get out of the unpleasant task.”

“That’s right, sweets. Tomorrow afternoon is all about you. Then a romantic dinner for the two of you before you head to the chapel for the ceremony.”

Confusion draws her brows together and her nose wrinkles in a positively adorable manner. “You’re going to have dinner with us, aren’t you? Be at the ceremony?”

I’ve considered these questions many times and finally decided this is something the two of them need to do alone. Part of my heart weeps at the thought even though I know it’s for the best. From now on, for the foreseeable future, I need to remain in the background. A silent and invisible third wheel.

I clear the lump from my throat. “You know those photos you’re going to hate?”

She nods and makes a face.

“You’ll need those for public confirmation. It’ll be best if I’m not in the background. Those members of the board who… um… disagree with my relationship with Josh need to see only the two of you together. If I’m not at the ceremony, there’ll be no opportunities for me to be included in any way.”

“I don’t agree,” Josh says. “But I do understand. We’ll do it your way. Won’t we, Keni?”

“I suppose. It still doesn’t feel right.”

I have to agree. “It doesn’t. However… so, my dears, we have a lot to get done tomorrow.”

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