“Why? If they’re little ones, all the more reason not to have them. Let’s be open books.”
Reed scrubs his face and exhales.
“What is it?” I say. “Spit it out, already.”
He sinks into the couch in surrender. “Your necklace.”
“Those aren’t real rubies?”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t insult me. Of course, they’re real. It’s just that...” He exhales. “The necklace is worth quite a bit more than I told you. I wanted to pay off your father’s mortgage, and I figured if the price tag for the necklace happened to be the same amount as what he owed, you’d think it was fate and let me ‘return it,’ so you could use the proceeds to pay off the loan.”
I’m slack-jawed. “Ourentireconversation about the necklace was?—”
“A set-up. Yes. I knew what you’d say and do, so I arranged a situation that would lead to you saying and doing all of it, so you’d let me pay off the loan, without you being stubborn and contrary.”
“And you thinkI’mtheBobby Fischer in this relationship?”
“Takes one to know one, baby. Don’t bother asking me the actual value of the necklace. I think the monetary value of gifts should be exempt from our new ‘open book’ policy, don’t you? But if we’re truly going to tell each other the truth about ‘everything,’ other than the value of gifts, then I guess I should come clean about the necklace being part of my clever strategy to save your dad’s condo from foreclosure.”
I kiss him enthusiastically. “Thank you. You’re the sweetest, most generous, most adorable man in the world.”
“Only for you. Honestly, I was initially planning to buy something worth exactly eighty grand, so I could return it, and use the proceeds, just like I said. But then, I saw the ruby necklace on display on the other side of the store, and, the minute I saw it, I knew it had to be yours, no matter the price.”
I gasp. “You didn’t walk past Tiffany’s and see the necklace inthe store window?”
He snorts. “No. My meeting was in Century City. Not Beverly Hills.”
I laugh uproariously, and so does he.
“I’m so relieved,” I admit. “When you said you didn’t think complete honesty was realistic, I thought you were going to drop a bombshell on me.”
“Nah. I’ve got no more bombshells to drop, sweetheart. I’m done with those.”
“So am I.” I kiss him again, feeling like my soul is soaring around the small dressing room. “So, it’s a deal. No more lies, from either of us. Ever again. Unless it’s about the price tag of a gift or, you know, like about a surprise party or something like that.But that’s it.”
Reed pauses underneath me, and I know he’s thinking,Shit.
“What now?” I say. I pull out of our embrace and look at him sternly. “Whatever it is, spit it out, dude. Let’s get it all out in the open.”
Reed flaps his lips together. “It pertains to a gift, so I feel like it could very well be exempt.”
“Except you know that’s not true, or else you wouldn’t look guilty as sin right now.”
He grunts.
“Tell me.” I pinch his face between my finger and thumb, making his lips part. “The truth shall set you free.Speak.”
Reed exhales and I release his face.
“The ‘rental car’ I got you for the summer?”
I gasp. “No.Reed.”
He winks. “Happy birthday, baby. It’s all yours.”
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