Page 18 of Diamonds

“Maddox,” I whisper.“Why did he ask if you weretheMaddox Hathaway?Is there something you haven’t told me?”

He runs his hands through his hair.“Christ, Alissa.We’ve only been out a couple of times.Am I supposed to have given you my entire family history by now?”

I swallow.“No.”

He takes a deep breath in through his nose and exhales through his mouth.“Sorry.I’m not trying to snap at you.Yes, there’s a reason the cop recognized my name.I’ll be happy to give you a full rundown once we get our friend in the back seat taken care of.”

My lip quivers.“I’m sorry.I suppose it feels like we’ve been on more than a few dates by now.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.These aren’t exactly normal circumstances.”He looks back.“But keep it cool.The cop is coming back.”

The cop returns, a citation in hand.“You were going sixty-five miles per hour, Mr.Hathaway.The speed limit is thirty.”

“Is that so?”Maddox asks.

God, I want to punch him in the shoulder.Just take the ticket and go, Maddox.

The cop looks in the car and gives me a slight smile.“Ma’am.”

“Officer,” I respond.

He redirects his eyes to Maddox.“This your wife?”

“Girlfriend, Officer.”

Normally the thought of Maddox Hathaway referring to me as his girlfriend would fill my entire body with fireworks, but, given the circumstances, I don’t react to his words.

“Your girlfriend’s registration is expired, Mr.Hathaway.I’m afraid I’ve had to write you a second citation for that as well.”

I’m not sure why Officer Brillig is telling this to Maddox and not to me, but I lean toward the driver’s side.“I apologize, Officer.You can give me the expired registration ticket.”

“I’m afraid it’s the responsibility of the driver to ensure that the vehicle he is driving is up to date on its registration, so the ticket will still be made out to him, Miss…”

“Maravilla.Alissa Maravilla.”

He squints his eyes.“Pretty name.”

“Thank you.”

“If you would like to reimburse your boyfriend for the cost of the ticket, that is absolutely your prerogative.”Officer Brillig points to Maddox’s name on the citation.“However, the citation will still be made in his name.”

Maddox takes the ticket.“It’s fine.Thank you, Officer.”He looks over at me.“And you don’t have to pay me back, Alissa.Just get your registration renewed.”

I blink.“Of course.”

Maddox turns back to the cop.“Will that be all, Officer?”

Officer Brillig lifts his head as if to nod, but then he peers into the back seat.

Looks right at the hatbox.

“Bit late to be shopping, isn’t it?”

Maddox widens his eyes.“We bought something earlier today and left it in the car.Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, after all.I thought a nice hat would be a great gift for Alissa.”

The cop narrows his eyes, keeping them fixed on the hatbox.“Looks expensive.You wouldn’t want to leave that in the car overnight.People might break in and steal it.”

“Excellent point, Officer,” Maddox says.“If that’s all?—”