“Greenland in November?” Emma asks, wrinkling up her nose. “What does Arabella think about that?”
“She doesn’t know yet, but trust me, she’ll bethrilledwhen she finds out. Absolutely thrilled. She’s been dying to get back out into the wild since she came home.”
Libby gives Harrison a swat on the arm. “I told you he knew what he was doing.”
“I can’t help it. I have to ask,” he says, rubbing his arm.
“No worriesat all,” I say with a huge grin. “I totally get it. In fact, I’m glad you asked because I’m sure you were all wondering, so it’s best to get it out in the open. But now that we’ve set that issue aside, we can all get on with the big decision.”
Emma holds up her hand. “Have you narrowed down the styles at all?”
“Nope. I don’t have the first clue,” I say. “What do you guys think a woman like Arabella would absolutely love? Like, absolutely blow her mind because she loves it so much?”
“Well, considering that none of us really know her,” Emma says, “It would be difficult to say.”
“Okay, fair enough,” I say, nodding. “In that case, let me describe her for you. She’s like the warmth of the sun on a chilly winter’s morning. She’s like the most refined, elegant, sophisticated, well-educated, well-spoken woman I’ve ever met, but who also has this deliciously adventurous, kickass fierceness to her that is irresistible. She’s smart and witty and kind-hearted and sensitive and… caring…and she calls me on my bullshit, and I don’t know if any of this helps in picking out a square cut or emerald drop or whatever the hell these things are called, but I just can’t help but brag about her.” I glance at Dwight. “Do you think she’ll say yes? Because the more I think about how incredible she is, the less likely it seems that she’ll want to marry me.”
“Cuddle Bear! Of course she’ll say yes,” Rosy says. “You’re perfect. Any woman would be lucky to have you—royal or not.”
Emma glances at Rosy and rolls her eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far. Ask the salesman what their return policy is.”
Sales guy chimes in with, “One week, subject to damage.”
“William, have you thought of going with an antique? Something really special, maybe with a romantic history to it?” Pierce asks.
I nod. “Thought about it, but she’s just so modern and so ready to forge a new path for herself, I feel like something brand-new that’s never been worn before would be best. Something that says fresh start. It’s you and me in this forever.”
“Good Lord, Will, take it down a notch before we all start getting nauseous,” Harrison says.
“Righto, sorry,” I say. “I’m just beyond excited.”
“Yeah, we got that,” Emma says.
I aim the phone at the black velvet tray and smile down at the shiny rocks, each one absolutely dazzling under the bright lights. God, those lights are hot. Or am I actually flushed with excitement?
My entire family starts talking at the same time, trying to point out which ring they like. The salesman sighs and speaks loudly in the general direction of my phone. “One at a time, if you please.”
There’s a pause, then they all start up again, and I find myself chuckling.
I’m giddy.
I mean, like actually giddy for maybe the first time in my entire life.
Best. Day. Ever.
23
Plagiarizing Your Potty-Mouthed Grandmother is Always a Good Idea…
Arabella
“Welcome,everyone, to our Equal Everywhere Wrap-up Session,” Malika says into the microphone.
We’re in a large, bowl-shaped auditorium and she, along with five other conference leaders, are on the stage, with the other ninety of us in the audience.
She pauses and looks around the room, smiling. “What a wonderful five days it’s been—sisterhood at its finest. We’ve made new friends, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve healed, we’ve shared our experiences. But more than that, we’ve started down the path of changing the world for our daughters and granddaughters so they may never know a world where they are considered less than. Today, as we wrap-up, I’m going to call on those of you who haven’t yet said your piece, because it takes every voice to make a difference.”
Oh, crap. That’s me, isn’t it? Yup, she just gave me a wink. Bollocks.
