Page 108 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
“Happy birthday, Ash.”
“But my birthday isn’t until Saturday.”
“Yeah, but Chastity called dibs. Apparently she’s been planning you the perfect birthday weekend for months.”
“Oh God, that isdefinitelygoing to involve strippers.”
I forced myself to keep the smile on my face. For just a few minutes there...I’d forgotten about everything else. “The perfect opportunity for you to find love, I suppose.”
“Oh, yeah, totally.” She awkwardly fidgeted with the present. “I’m gonna fuck every stripper there.” She looked so sad saying it.
“You’re never gonna bang anyone, are you?”
“I already did! Kind of. Wait, no. I didn’t.” She started fanning her armpits.
I laughed. It was okay. I didn’t really want to talk about this right now. Not when we were standing in the middle of Paris. “Don’t you want to open your present?”
She slowly unwrapped the paper and popped the lid of the jewelry box open. The diamond embedded in the center of the ring shimmered under the moonlight.
Ash was silent. She looked at me. Then back at the ring. Then back at me. Her mouth opened then closed.
I knew what she was thinking. And I liked messing with her too much to set her straight right away.
“I really want to say yes,” she said. “But I’m not sure I can when I still have to do the unthinkable to set you free. It feels wrong to have a fiancé while I prance around town, you know? Although it’s weird having a boyfriend too...”
I laughed. “I’m not proposing.”
“You’re not?” It still looked like she was freaking out.
I smiled and shook my head.
“But this looks like an engagement ring.”
“Does it?” I shrugged. “They’re always changing these things.”
“Oh. Well. It’s beautiful.”
I knew it looked better than any engagement ring she’d ever seen before. But I also knew she wasn’t mine. Not yet.
I cleared my throat. “And functional. As long as you’re wearing it, it’ll magically purify your blood. Basically, it makes it so that it’s impossible for you to get sick.”
Her jaw dropped. “REALLY?! Ah! I love it!” She slid it onto her middle finger. Right next to where the engagement ring I’d give her soon would one day sit. “I already feel better!! This is the best birthday present ever!” She grabbed the champagne and popped the bottle. The cork hit her in the cheek. “Ow. Do you have a ring that prevents clumsiness too?”
“No. Some things can’t be changed.”
She smiled. “Well, shucks.” She took a sip of champagne as she stared at me. “While we’re here, do you think you can you show me where you used to live?”
“I would love to, but…there’s still one part of your dream Paris date that needs to be fulfilled.”
“Oh God. Are two Frenchies about to jump out and Eiffel Tower me?” She looked around frantically.
I laughed and snapped my fingers. Not to makethathappen. But to teleport us under the Eiffel Tower. “I think you requested a kiss beneath the Eiffel Tower.”
She looped her hands behind my neck as I leaned down and kissed her. A violinist was playing nearby and we swayed to the music. There were so many moments in my life where I wished I could freeze time. Where the world would stop aging around me.
Ash looked up at me. “This is the best night ever. Or at least, this part is. The first half was definitely not.” She shuddered.
A part of me was starting to wonder about her story since she kept mentioning it...Did all that crazy stuff with the sausage king really happen?
