This is not happening.
I stare at my hand like that’s going to solve anything. Like the ring might take pity on me and slide off out of sheer respect.
It doesn’t.
“Okay,” Vivian says, already moving, calm and efficient. “Let’s not force it.”
“I’m not forcing it,” I say, immediately trying to twist it again.
Nothing.
Behind me, Emma laughs. Not polite laughter. Not even contained. The full, bright, can’t-hold-it-in snicker of a sister.
“Oh my God,” she says, breathless. “You’re actually stuck. You’restuckstuck.”
“I’m not stuck,” I mutter as I pull again. Still won’t budge.
Emma laughs harder. “Yeah, okay. That looks super temporary.”
Vivian steps back into my space with a tray piled with tools, solution, and something metal that makes this feel like it just got upgraded from mildly embarrassing to a full situation.
“Ty,” she says, gentle but firm, “I need you to stop pulling on it.”
“If I can get it to?—”
“Stop,” she repeats, already reaching for my hand. “You’re only going to make it worse.”
I let out a breath and hold still. Mostly.
Emma leans against the counter. “I cannot believe you.”
“I was looking at it,” I say. “That’s all.”
“You put it on your finger.”
“It went on easily.”
“Again,” she says, wavering between irritation and delight, “famous last words.”
Vivian’s focus stays on my hand, her expression composed, but there’s a tightness there now. Professional. Controlled. “I’m going to try a solution first.”
“Itismorning,” I offer. “If it’s not the soy sauce, don’t we naturally swell?—”
“Not helping,” Emma interrupts.
Vivian stays completely calm, like this is just another task on her to-do list, and doesn’t react to either of us. Instead, she works the cool liquid around the band. “Relax your hand.”
“I am relaxed.”
“You’re not,” she says calmly, her green eyes flicking down to my hand before lifting back to mine. “Your fingers are tense.”
I look down. They are. I exhale and try again.
Emma tilts her head, watching. “Isn’t this bad luck?”
I freeze. “What?”
“Trying on someone else’s wedding ring,” she says, still half amused. “Pretty sure that’s a thing.”
