“Not exactly. Actually…” Her gaze dropped to the table, and she hesitated slightly, as if she was about to say something but then decided against it. “No, after he was released from the hospital, we were exchanging Christmas gifts, and he just produced that unmistakable blue box and…well, when I saw what was inside, I nearly lost it.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Ethan muttered. “I mean, I can imagine,” he clarified quickly, but it seemed she hadn’t picked up on anything untoward.
Rachel was still smiling at the memory. “So while it took a bit of prompting—it was so funny, I’ve never seen him so nervous—he popped the question, and the rest is history.”
Based on this, Ethan knew for certain that a proposal had never been in the plan, and from what he could tell, this guy was making a complete fool out of this poor woman. She deserved so much better, and he sorely wished he had the courage to tell her the truth. But he couldn’t knowingly crush all her hopes and dreams like that.
No way.
“Ethan? Are you all right?” he heard her ask and immediately snapped back from his reverie.
“Yes, of course. Sorry, I was miles away. Just thinking really…”
“About what?” Rachel took another sip of her wine, and as she did, the diamond glistened yet again in the candlelight.
He swallowed hard and his heart sped up.
“It really is a beautiful ring,” he murmured, wishing he could somehow finagle her into handing it to him and he could pretend to drop it or lose it or something…anything? His mind raced as he tried to figure it out.
“Yes, it is,” she said, holding up her hand to examine it afresh. “So incredibly elegant. Nothing like I’d expected from Gary, actually.” She smiled. “He can be a bit…what’s the word?”
“Gaudy?” Ethan prompted, his mouth tightening.
She laughed. “Well, no, I was actually going to say careful—with money, I mean. And I’m pretty certain this must have cost a fortune.”
Ethan knew all too well how much it had cost, right down to the very last cent.
“It’s such a classic setting and a beautiful design, and Tiffany’s of all places.” She stared dreamily at her finger. “I really had no idea Gary would even know about these things, you know how something from Tiffany’s really is the ultimate romantic gesture?”
“So I’ve heard,” Ethan muttered.
“But anyway.” She shook her head. “Besides listening to strange women rambling on about their love life, how has your visit been? I hope the meeting went well. Was it something to do with your work?”
“Yes.” The question caught Ethan off guard. “It was fine but…well, I’m actually here researching a book.” Now that he’d decided to wait until he could tackle all directly with Knowles, he figured he might as well use this tried-and-tested cover story.
Her eyes widened. “You’re writing a book? How fabulous. What’s it about?”
Just at that moment, a waiter carrying a basket of bread caught Ethan’s eye. “It’s about…bread actually,” he replied impulsively, his mind racing.
Man, he was an idiot! Why didn’t he just stick with the same explanation he’d given Vanessa?
“Erm…a kind of exploration of bread in different cultures throughout the world. Jane also used to joke that I should’ve found a woman who would bake me bread. I’m researching Ireland now,” he babbled. Still, he figured that such uninspiring subject matter would be a godsend all the same. How boring did a book aboutbreadsound?
But Rachel’s eyes seemed to light up afresh.
“Maybe I can help,” she offered, smiling. “Considering the business I’m in, I certainly know a thing or two about that.”
Chapter 33
Having finished the last of the Saturday night rush, Terri said goodbye to Justin and the waitresses and was just about to lock up the bistro and go upstairs when none other than Gary appeared at the doorway.
She frowned, cursing his timing. And what was he doing here anyway? Hadn’t Rachel said something about him not being able to drive back tonight because he’d been drinking?
Approaching the door, she could see through the glass that he did indeed look a little worse for wear. “This is a surprise,” she said, letting him inside. “I thought Rachel said you were staying in Wicklow?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I was going to, but then I felt bad about letting my baby down. Is she still here?”
“No, she’s off tonight. I thought you knew that.”
