“Nearly there. Just deciding which jewelry to wear.”
“What outfit have you gone with?”
I bite my lip. “The red dress.”
She laughs. “Oh, girl. You are so gone on him.”
“I just want to look good,” I snap, then immediately shake my head, hating my tone. I never snap at my friends. “Sorry. Guess I’m a bit defensive, and my mood has been a bit all over the place today.”
“I get that.” Paige’s tone is quieter. More circumspect. “Sorry if I upset you.”
“It’s fine.” I glance in the mirror again, seeing how much effort I really have put in. I’ve never dressed up like this in the past three years. Never cared so much whether my outfit had the impact I desired. My fingers tremble, and I press them into my palm as a needle of fear pricks my conscious mind. My priority is to keep my heart safe, and I’m afraid I’ve already handed it into Seth’s keeping.
“What else?” she asks. “Shoes? Jewelry?”
“Black heels, silver necklace.”
She pauses for a beat. “The one he gave you?”
I sigh. “How do you remember every piece of my jewelry?”
“It’s a gift.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “Just like I also know you have your wedding ring box right where you can see it.”
Discomfort churns in my gut, and I fall silent, staring at the rings on my hand, occupying the place they used to as though they never left, and the past three years didn’t happen.
“Paige,” I murmur, slipping them off and returning them to the box as quickly as possible. “I might be in trouble.”
“Of course you are.” She tuts, but not unsympathetically. “Seth could be a buff, tattooed Mr. January, and he adores you.” She doesn’t know the half of it. I don’t mention the fact my name is tattooed on his chest because it feels oddly private. “If that doesn’t spell trouble, I don’t know what does. But whatever happens, I’m here for you. Got it?”
“Yes.” I smile tremulously. “I need to finish getting ready. Call you after?”
“Talk then, babe. Unless,” she adds slyly, “you’re too busy getting busy. In which case, don’t call. I don’t need to hear all about the sex you’re getting while I’m stuck here waiting for Daniel to get back from his work trip.”
I laugh. “Deal.”
I hang up and shut the jewelry box. I don’t need to look at those rings for any longer or they’ll give me all kinds of funny ideas. Instead, I opt for the simple look: the necklace and nothing else. It makes a statement while not being in his face.
When he arrives to pick me up, I take one look at him and laugh. A leather cord encircles his neck with a dog tag at the bottom. If I were to look closely, I know I’d see our names engraved on it, along with the date of our wedding. I gave it to him for a Valentine’s gift the year after we married. He had the exact same idea with jewelry as I did. I hold up mine to show him what I’m laughing about, then, out of instinct, glance at his left hand and find the ring finger bare.
I’m afraid to wonder why I’m disappointed.
I think I’ve fallen back in love with my ex-husband.
Seth
The overhead lights in the locker room cast a white glow as I wrap Tempe Larson’s hands. She’s about to have her first professional MMA fight.
“You’ve got this,” I tell her, carefully taping between her fingers. “You’ve wanted it for years, and this is your chance to show everyone what you’re made of.”
She nods, but doesn’t speak. She’s a reasonably new transfer to Crown MMA Gym, but she’s been training since she was a kid and could never convince anyone to let her play in the big leagues. She came to me because of Harley, and I’m determined she won’t regret the choice.
“Tell me about your opponent.”
“Tara Wyatt,” she says in a monotone, as though she’s memorized the words. “Heavy hands, shitty kicks. Likes to roll.”
“How are you going to beat her?”
At this, the corners of her mouth lift. I notice, even though I’m focused primarily on her hands. “By kicking the crap out of her and keeping her at a distance.”
