Instead of answering, I hold out my left hand, the giant diamond sparkling in the light.
Kacey’s jaw pops open, and for a moment I think I might have silenced my best friend. And then she speaks. “Holy. Fucking. Shitballs.”
The little old lady at the table next to us gives Kacey a dirty look for cursing, not that I think Kacey cares. I, on the other hand, go red and give her a sheepish look as my best friend grabs my hand to inspect the ring.
“This is huge!” she gasps.
“He said the size reflects how much he loves me, or at least that’s what people will think.” I go on to tell her about my spa day, the engagement photos, and the fact that the announcement will run in tomorrow's paper while she listens with wide eyes.
“Have you told your parents yet?”
I drop my head, not wanting to admit that I’ve yet to tell them. I just can’t imagine how that phone call will go.Hi, Mom! I know I never even told you I was dating someone, but I’m engaged now! Yay!
My brothers will flip; their protective instincts are way too strong, and my dad is going to want to interrogate Asher. Honestly, I’m not sure I want to bring my family into this charade, where I’m lying to them for the next year. No, thank you. I’d like to avoid that for as long as possible.
But I also know my mother, and she’ll be heartbroken if she doesn’t hear this from me.
“Grace, you have to fucking tell them!”
With a huff, the little old lady stands up, the chair scratching the tiled floor as she shoots us one last dirty look before stomping off. Kacey rolls her eyes.
“I know, I know,” I tell her. “I just… I haven’t found the right time.”
“I hate to be the one to break this to you, babe, but there’s never going to be a right time.”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Okay. I swear, I’ll tell them, just give me a minute to figure out how to break the news.”
Kacey gives me a sympathetic nod. “Anyway, how’s his family? I was reading about his father, and he seemsdelightful.”The way she says that makes it clear she’s being sarcastic.
“I haven’t met them yet.”
Her lips purse. “Well, when are you going to?”
I shrug, nervous all over again. “I have no idea.”
A little smile grows on Kacey’s face. “I guess that means we have to cyberstalk them.” She pulls out her phone and begins typing.
“No, stop.” I reach for the device, but she pulls it away. “I’m just going to get to know them the old-fashioned way, by talking to them and asking questions.”
Kacey scoffs. “No one does that anymore. Internet recon is the way to go.” A moment later, something on her phone has her cringing.
“What?”
Tilting her head at me, she asks, “Sure you want to know?”
“Ugh, fine. Just tell me,” I groan.
“Your future mother-in-law might be a cult leader.”
That’s the start of a four-hour deep dive into the Caine family. Celeste isn’t an actual cult leader, as far as I can tell, but she does have some accusations against her. And Leonard has had many profiles done on him, the dynamic head of one of the top wellness brands, but everything online shows him in a positive light.
I want to believe they’re good people, but something’s bubbling under the surface, and I can't help but feel like the other shoe will drop eventually.
For the next month, nothing happens. I spend my days at different coffee shops, staring at the blank page, desperately trying to summon more ideas before coming home to eat whatever healthy meal Lisette makes. And then I scroll mindlessly on my phone with something playing on the TV in the background before I finally fall asleep.
In all that time, I can count on one hand how often I see Asher, and it’s always in passing.
I’ve adjusted my expectations to not see him, and truly, I’m fine with that, even if I am going a little stir crazy.
