Page 56 of Always

He reached into the breast pocket of his suit jacket and pulled something out.

“Maybe this will help,” he said.

For a moment Anika’s heart stopped dead in her chest. She looked at the little box, terrified. But when she opened the lid she saw, nestled in cotton, her sapphire earring.

“Oh my god,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”

“I put in a rush order at Greenwich Street Jewelers. I only had a photograph, but they had the original dimensions still on file, so they said it should match perfectly. You know that’s where your father had it made to begin with.”

In her first surge of joy, Anika didn’t quite understand what he was saying. When she looked more carefully, she realized that the earring was indeed a replica, not the original. The metal was perfectly smooth and bright, without the slightest scratch.

“Oh,” she said. “Thank...thank you.”

“What is it?” Marco said. “Did they get something wrong?”

“No,” she assured him. “It’s just like the one I lost.”

It was, and she knew she was being stupid.

“Thank you so much,” she said again. “It made me so sad to think I couldn’t wear the other one anymore even though I still had it. Now I can wear them again.”

She felt stiff and awkward. She knew she wasn’t responding quite right. Marco didn’t seem to notice, however. In fact, he seemed to be building momentum.

“Good,” he said. “That’s great, I’m so glad you’re happy. Because I have something else for you, Anika. I know this is going to seem completely crazy, but please, just hear me out.”

He reached back into his pocket and pulled out another box, and this time Anika knew for certain what was inside. Marco knelt in front of her to open it up. Inside was a diamond ring. The stone was enormous, cushion cut, utterly flawless, mounted on a delicate band. Anika had never imagined that a ring could have so much weight or intensity. She could hardly look away from it. It thrilled and terrified her.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Marco said. “This is completely insane. But Anika I’ve known since the moment I saw you how much I wanted you. I’d never seen anything so perfect. You’re like a diamond yourself, the way you shine next to your father and sister and everyone else who doesn’t deserve you. But I want to deserve you. I’ll do anything to deserve you.”

She couldn’t speak. She was frozen absolutely still.

“I know it’s fast,” Marco pressed on. “That’s because of my father. He adores you, Anika. It would make him so happy if he could see us married before...before the worst happens. But that’s not why I’m asking you, don’t think that’s the reason. I promise you, this is what I’ve wanted since the moment I laid eyes on you. Please. Please say yes.”

Anika pressed her fingers to her lips as if she could compel speech to come forth by touching them. Her hand was trembling.

A part of her wanted to say yes at once. Who could refuse a man kneeling before them, saying everything a woman could want to hear? Marco looked up with her with those deep green eyes full of entreaty. He was gorgeous, the ring was gorgeous, the evening was unforgettable. This was what he wanted, to sweep her away continually to the most beautiful and exotic experiences that money could buy.

And yet...and yet...

“It’s too fast,” Anika found herself saying. “Marco I’m sorry, it’s too soon...”

Marco stood up. Taking her hand, he pulled her closer, pleading with her.

“Don’t say that,” he begged. “Don’t say no.”

“I’m not… I don’t...”

“Please Anika, at least think about it,” he said. He closed the little velvet box and pressed it into her palm, “Keep the ring, at least for now. You don’t have to wear it yet. Just think about what I’ve said. I can make you happy, Anika, you know I can.”

“I’ll think about it,” she said. “Give me a week to think.”

* * *

20

Anika woke the next morning sick with dread. She felt that she had an impossible decision before her, and no matter what she chose, she was sure to regret it.

It reminded her horribly of the choice she had made ten years earlier: the choice between going to California with James and coming back home to New York.

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