No time like the present to drop the truth into the conversation. “I’m married, Seymour. I have a wife to consider.” He stopped talking, waiting for an explosion.
“Fuck. Are you crazy?” Seymour’s voice rose with each successive word.
“I don’t believe so.” The shower shut off. “I can’t discuss this now. You can shout at me in Wellington. I presume you’re coming down for the concerts.”
“I am now,” Seymour said crisply. “Does anyone else know?”
“Caleb, Jeff and Neil and a few of my wife’s friends.”
“Keep it that way.” The phone slammed down before Ryan could tell Seymour what he thought of his order.
Shaking his head, he went to take his shower. Julia was already in bed when he entered the bedroom. He crawled into bed with a sigh.
“Bad news?”
“Seymour has booked us three more shows in Australia.”
“Oh.” She paused. “I’m sure your fans will be excited.”
“You’re not and that concerns me more. I don’t want to leave you.”
Julia reached over and switched off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. “It doesn’t matter.”
Irritation swept through Ryan, and he fumbled with the lamp on his side of the bed. He blinked at the flare of light. “I’m leaving to meet work commitments. I have every intention of coming back to you.”
He caught a trace of doubt in her expression, and his temper swirled higher.
“I don’t understand why you won’t believe me. I’ve done nothing to harm our marriage. I don’t drink, do drugs. I’ve never been unfaithful to you. I’m not your ex.”
She bit her lip, unwilling to look at him once again.
“If anyone has a reason to be pissed and full of doubts, it’s me. I can’t remember, but I’m sure I would’ve bought you an engagement ring. You don’t wear it.” His pointed gaze focused on her left hand. “And a wedding band?”
“I haven’t noticed you wearing your wedding band,” she retorted.
Ryan frowned. “I have one?”
“You said you intended to wear it on a chain around your neck. I can’t see one either there or on your finger.”
“I had a ring?”
“A gold band I had engraved before you left on tour.”
“I didn’t find a ring with my stuff after I was discharged from hospital.”
Her brows rose, the touch of challenge increasing his indignation.
“Check with Caleb. He collected my gear for me. He’ll tell you there was no ring.”
Like a popped balloon, some of the attitude burst from her. “Do you think the muggers stole it?”
“Doesn’t that make sense? They took my phone and wallet and left me for dead. They must’ve taken my ring. My watch too,” he added. “Caleb said I used to wear one my parents gave me.”
Julia closed her eyes. “My ring is in my jewelry box over there on the dressing table. I wore it on a chain around my neck until I—” She broke off with an audible swallow.
“Until you what?”
“Never mind.” Moisture welled in her eyes, and she blinked rapidly to clear it. The stubborn jut of her chin told him she didn’t intend to enlighten him further, yet swift on the heels of determination came a flicker surprisingly similar to guilt.
Ryan climbed out of bed and strode over to the jewelry box. He lifted the lid off and scanned the contents. The pair of rings on a gold chain was underneath a pendant necklace. He plucked them out and returned to the bed. “I want you to wear them, and tomorrow we’ll go to a jeweler’s and buy a new wedding band for me.”
Her eyes widened as if he’d surprised her. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. I want people to realize I’m married. I want no one else except you.” He took her left hand and slid on her wedding band. She didn’t protest. She said nothing, merely stared at her hand. He slipped the sapphire and diamond engagement ring on her finger before reaching to tilt her face to his. “I love you, Julia, and I want everyone to know it.”
