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“I think the frustration is getting to her,” I acknowledged.

Chase clucked. “You’ve always been a rotten patient. It must be frustrating, caring for an invalid.”

“Yeah, that.”

Our disrupted make out session from a few nights ago hung like a specter between us. I wanted to believe it wasn’t my grumpy ass frustrating Melena. Horny was better than unhappy. Horny, I could fix. Eventually. I wanted to believe it was something more than sexual desire between us. Frustrated feelings, maybe? I had them. But there was no way I was telling her I loved her while I depended on her for everything. If she stayed, it had to be for the right reasons. Not pity. Not lust. Love.

***

Chase pulled up tothe store I’d requested and glanced at the marquee. “You sure you want to go in there?”

I gulped. I’d never been before. But it was time. “I’m sure.”

Chase helped me into the store, where an eager salesperson approached. He wore a slick suit and had a well-trimmed gray beard and kind blue eyes set in a round face. His size and jolly smile made me think his sleigh was parked outside. “Sirs, can I help you find something special?”

Special. I absolutely needed something special. The case in front of me was full of rings. Plenty of bling and sparkle. But what would Melena like? I should have found a way to get Lisa’s number. She would know. I felt like a faulty husband fornotknowing. Still, I was trying. It had to count for something. Hopefully, it was enough.

“We’re just browsing for the moment,” Chase said.

The other man smiled. “Very good. The men’s bands are over here,” he said gesturing to the other wall. “Unless you prefer these settings; they’re also beautiful on a male hand and we can size them appropriately.” He looked between Chase and me, trying to gauge our tastes.

I shook my head and bit back a smile. I appreciated the salesperson’s efforts to make us comfortable, though it wasn’t what we were after. “I’m in the market for one ladies’ band, but thank you.”

Chase stifled his laugh until the other man moved away. “I’ve always thought we’d make a beautiful couple.”

I shoved his shoulder before turning back to their selection. “Yes, but that’s because you think I’m pretty.”

Chase couldn’t leave it alone. “So pretty,” he whispered. His shoulders shook, and he made himself scarce while I reviewed the display. Chase kept sneaking glances at the bands too, but every time I caught him, he shifted focus.

I searched the case and asked to see a range of rings before making my selection. Each one glittered. I wasn’t sure Melena could wear a ring while she worked, but something low-profile might be most comfortable. I chose a delicate band, simple and smooth with channel set stones. The white gold gleamed in the recessed lighting of the store like a promise. An unending circle. Unending was the key; my feelings for Melena were no longer a mystery to me. A year wasn’t going to be enough. But I hadn’t told her. Couldn’t. Not yet.Soon.

I wanted to give her the ring as a symbol of my devotion. Such a weird word,devotion. Love. Loyalty. Enthusiasm. I had them all for her. And she acted like she had no clue. She’d been treating me more like one of her brothers than a husband during my recovery. Someone to indulge and care for. She kept her distance after our failed make out attempt. And I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d decided my job was too dangerous. That I was too dangerous to love. Was she biding her time until I was healed to leave me?

I ran my fingers over the smooth metal, feeling it warm beneath my fingertips. I could only hope Melena would warm to the idea of staying married as easily. Maybe with enough time, her feelings would match mine.



















Chapter 23