She glanced shyly away. I’d never seen My react shyly to anything I’d said. It was absolutely, incredibly adorable. “Anyway … you were amazing. Congrats on getting into the final. It’s phenomenal.”
“I was showing off for you,” I replied honestly.
Maia shook her head with a laugh like she thought I was teasing.
“Come with me.” I grabbed her hand and led her past everyone, not giving them the time of day. I had a mission to complete.
“Where are we going? Am I allowed down here?” Maia hissed uncertainly, tugging on my hand as I led her through doors and down corridors.
“You are if you’re with me.” The office where I’d broken the news to Callan and John was free, so I pushed in and shut the door behind us.
That’s when the nerves kicked in again.
Maia glanced around the clinical space, tucking a strand of silky dark hair behind her ear. Christ, even her ears were cute and perfect. She wore classy little diamond studs that winked in the light. I hoped the diamonds weren’t from Will or we’d have to replace them pronto.
“And we’re in here why?” My asked, arching an eyebrow.
Here goes nothing.
I tugged the ring box out of my pocket. “If we’re going to do this, you need to dress the part.” I opened the box.
Maia’s jaw dropped. “Where?” she wheezed out. “How? What?”
I snorted. “Give me your hand.”
Maia gaped. “Huh?”
Shoulders shaking with amusement, I reached for her manicured left hand and slipped the ring onto her ring finger. It fit. Perfectly.
Meant to be.
An unexpected flush of arousal shot through me seeing the ring on her. My dick started to harden.
Fuck.
Kaito’s naked arse. Baumann’s naked arse. That time theteam tried to make me eat sheep balls. The gaffer’s naked arse. Ugh.Aye, that did it.
I cleared my throat. “It was my aunt Sigrid’s engagement ring, so it’s vintage. Mum said it’s avioletsapphire. I thought … it’s kind of perfect for you. Cannae believe it fits.”
Maia looked up from the ring. “It’s stunning, Baird. I can’t … I can’t wear this. It’s too special.”
“We need a ring, and I happened to have this one. I know you’ll take care of it.”
“I will.” She clasped it to her chest, eyes a wee bit bright, like she was fighting back emotion.
I reached for her other hand. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s not … you didn’t. I just …” Maia lifted the ring into the light. “When Will … when we ended our engagement, I was genuinely heartbroken. But lately, there are things that make me question our relationship. Like the engagement ring he gave me.”
Our eyes locked, and I trembled against the need to kiss her, soothe her, make her realize I would hand her the world.
“This is a ring I’m supposed to wear for the rest of my life. It should be exactly the right ring for me. Yet Will chose this huge diamond that was showy and obnoxious. I felt awkward when people would comment on it. But this … thisisperfect for me. How do you know that and he didn’t?”
Because I know you. I loveyou. Not whoIwant you to be.I held back the desperate words. “Because I pay attention, My. Maybe you’re starting to realize Will the Prickdidn’tpay attention.”
Her answering laugh sounded like a half sob. “Aye, I think you’re right.”
I tugged her into a cuddle. “Are you okay?”
