Page 61 of Always

“Me too,” Anika said.

The moment passed, and awkwardness threatened to bloom between them again.

“Well, I’d better go get dressed,” Stella said.

“Have fun tonight,” Anika said.

And it was over. But Anika was feeling lighter by the moment.

Stella was sure to be obnoxious again at some point in the future—maybe five minutes from now, if she decided that some item of clothing lost to the chaos of her room had actually been stolen by Anika. Still, Anika was beginning to feel that many things that had seemed impossible might actually be within her control—perhaps even building a relationship with her sister, outside of the stifling influence of their father.

Anika went to her room to change her clothes and retrieve Marco’s ring. She took the box off her nightstand and opened it. She hadn’t looked at the ring since Marco had shown it to her up in the balloon. There it was, as brilliant and spectacular as she remembered, perhaps even more so in the dullness of her room.

Still, looking at it she simply felt...nothing.

She realized that at no point had she taken it from the box and slid it onto her finger to see how it looked on her hand.

She was glad that she hadn’t. At no point had she promised to marry Marco, and she’d never worn his ring.

She put the ring in her purse, pulling up the Uber app on her phone. She’d have to hurry to be at the hospital in time.

Marco was already waiting in the hospital cafe on the ground floor, drinking a styrofoam cup of coffee. He had deep circles under his eyes and his clothes were rumpled.

Anika felt a surge of pity for him, dreading what she would have to say.

“How’s Dominic?” she asked.

“Terrible,” Marco said flatly. He ran both hands through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut for a minute.

“I’m so sorry,” Anika said stupidly. She had no idea how to go on. But there was no good in prolonging it.

She took the ring box out of her purse, setting it gently on the table between them.

“Marco,” she said, “I need to give this back to you.”

Marco looked up. It took him a moment to register what was in front of him.

“You’re giving it back,” he said flatly.

“Yes,” she said. In the silence that followed she repeated, “I’m really sorry.”

“You’re sorry.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think that actually means anything?” Marco said, looking up at her. His face was flushed. He looked furious.

“I know the timing is terrible,” Anika said, “but it didn’t seem any kinder to draw it out.”

“Oh, so you’re doing this for me?” Marco laughed. “And I bet it has nothing to do with James Dawson.”

“No,” Anika said truthfully, “it doesn’t. I don’t think you and I are right for one another.”

“How is that possible?” Marco said. “It’s what everyone who knows us wants to happen. We’re perfect for each other. Haven’t I treated you well? Haven’t I given you everything you could want?”

“Yes,” Anika said, “But—”

“But what?” He demanded.

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