Page 33 of Shattered Stars

“What?”

“He’s sent you a couple of sports bras and panties too – look.” She throws several pairs at my head. “Now you’ll have no excuses not to join the bouncing bunnies.”

“No, thank you,” I say, feeling more grateful for the hearty-looking thing with plenty of support than the pretty underwear.

“And there are socks.”

My attention is drawn back to the parcel. The last remaining items aren’t as beautiful or as expensive looking – a few plain tees, a new pair of jeans and some yoga pants. They don’t look a whole lot different from my existing wardrobe of clothes – except they’re brand new, not falling apart.

“Now, this is useful,” I say, holding up one of the t-shirts to my chest. Could I get away with wearing one of those pretty bras under this, though? Would anyone notice?

“There’s one last item in here, Rhi,” Winnie says. She points to a small pink box buried at the bottom of the parcel.

I lift it out and examine it with suspicion, twisting it this way and that in my fingers.

“Hells Bells, Rhi, open it!” Winnie cries. “I’m dying of suspense here.”

I lift the lid carefully off its base, my heart suddenly loud in my ears. The clothes were one thing, practical, necessary really and maybe not as romantic as Winnie would believe. I’m sure neither Azlan nor Stone appreciate a mate who looks like she dressed in the dark most days. They’ve probably been dying to get me into something more respectable.

But this …

Inside is more pink tissue paper and Winnie groans in frustration.

I fold it back, and there nestling in a pink velvet cushion is a silver bracelet formed of interlocking tiny stars.

“Wow, Rhi that’s so pretty,” Winnie says. “And so you.”

Carefully, I take the delicate chain out of the box and let it hang down in my fingers. It is very pretty and I stare at it stunned, unable to believe anyone would buy me something like this, let alone a man like Azlan. I have to pinch myself. Because this has to be a dream, right?

“There’s a note too,” Winnie says, fishing it out of the package.

“What does it say?”

“You’re okay with me reading it?”

I hook the bracelet around my right wrist, my hand lingering on the chain.

“Winnie, you just said no secrets among girls.”

“True.” She unfolds the paper and clears her throat.

“‘To my little mate’ …” Winnie peers up at me. “Oh gosh, that is so adorable.”

“Keep reading.”

“‘Thank you again for taking me into your life and into your heart. Please accept this small gift as a token of my love for you. You are the guiding light – the one Northern star – in my life now. Maybe you will wear this bracelet and think of me as I am thinking of you.

“‘All my love, my heart and my world,

“‘Azlan.

“‘Kiss kiss kiss kiss.’”

Winnie waves her hand in front of her face. Then looks at me.

“He did not write this?”

I shrug.