See? That’s why Molly loved Evelyn. She really didn’t get the need to carry vodka in her purse or in her bra to deal with her.
“Glitter begets glitter, I guess.” Molly reached for Gavin’s hand because, well, it felt right.
“Of course it does.” Evelyn fluttered next to them like she was all hopped up on sugar. “I’m so happy Gavin asked if you could wear them.”
Say what?
She turned to Gavin. “Why did you ask your mom if you could rent me diamonds?”
“Those aren’t just any diamonds,” Evelyn said. “Those are my great-meemaw’s diamonds. She bought them after Puffle Yum turned its first nice profit; they’ve been in the family for generations.”
“Generations?” Molly raised her eyebrows in Gavin’s direction.
Because if these weren’t rented, they were family heirlooms.
She couldn’t walk around with their family heirlooms like this. Especially something like this, that would send all the wrong messages and none of the right ones.
No, she couldn’t quite pinpoint exactly what those wrong messages were, but they were wrong. She knew that much.
Evelyn gawked only for a minute longer before she fluttered away to other guests.
“What exactly did she mean by generations?” Molly asked again, since Gavin hadn’t answered the first time.
“Long story,” Gavin said, leading her from the photo area to make room for the next group.
“I think I want to hear it.”
“You’d think so,” Gavin said, sly like he actually thought he had a shot at not having to answer her. “But you really don’t.”
“These are family diamonds?” Molly asked, already knowing the answer.
So, Molly had taken Cassidy’s place, and now she wore the family jewels around her neck.
Nothing serious about that, was there?
Ah, there it was. That’s what was wrong. She’d found the perfect woman for Gavin—that would be Cassidy—and instead of insisting he go forth with his future happiness, she made out with him in a coffee shop booth.
“It’s not like you’re wearing my mother’s jewelry. They’re technically mine. They always go to the firstborn.” He guided her through a curtained area with low lighting and plush velvet sofas set out for mingling. “I’ve just never had a use for them before.”
“You didn’t give them to Rachel or to Dakota to wear?” Both women had held a special place in his life at various times. “Cassidy?”
Because if he had, the heaviness sort of burned. That was not a pleasant feeling.
“No.” He stopped. Toyed with the edge of the necklace where it lay against her collarbone. “I can’t tell you why I didn’t, except they never asked and it never came up. But you mentioned you wanted bling, and I had some.”
“But I’m giving them back.” She should clarify that point.
“You sort of have to.” He shrugged. “They go down the line to the firstborn, so they’ll be Kellan’s one day. Sorry to say: you can’t wear them forever.”
“Just until the clock strikes midnight?” She slipped into playful because she really didn’t care too much for serious.
They were supposed to have fun. She didn’t buy this dress to wear and not enjoy it.
“Are these things at least insured?” Molly asked. Because she’d have to enter ten more matchmaking competitions and sell her carandcancel stunt camp if she had to replace them.
“Why? Are you planning to steal them?” Gavin asked, like he’d deal with the fallout if she said yes and she’d planned the whole heist.
“No.” She stilled. “Of course not.”
