Page 126 of The Fallen Man

“Oh my God, Katie, are you OK? Should you be standing up? I saw that MRI. I think you should sit down.”

Katie found herself being hugged by the blonde. “I was sitting down,” she said around the hug.

Dominique pulled back and stared at her with big eyes. “And oh, my God, your apartment. The pictures made it look like World War III.”

“I wouldn’t know. Jackson won’t let me go home.”

“That sounds like him,” said Dominique shaking her head.

“It’s taped off by the police!” objected Jackson.

“But you’re doing all right?” Dominque was still staring at her as if looking for signs of distress.

“Bump on the head,” said Caitlin.

“Massive concussion,” said Jackson.

“I’m fine.”

“She’s pretty beat up. Don’t hug her too hard,” corrected Jackson.

Dominique laughed. “I’m glad you’re OK. This is Max,” she said, gesturing to her partner, and then her chin came up a little. “My fiancé.”

Olivia made a little shriek of delight, and Caitlin saw Evan and Jackson’s faces light up.

“Hi, I’m Max,” said the man, stepping forward to shake her hand.

“Caitlin,” said Caitlin. “Or Katie. Whichever. Um… Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” said Max, with a smile that revealed how happy he was.

“And look at this ring!” Dominique exclaimed as if she couldn’t hold it in any longer and held out her hand to Olivia.

“Yay!” said Olivia and grabbed Dominique’s hand to look at the ring.

“Oh, wow!” said Caitlin without forcing the sentiment. The ring was platinum, and the center diamond was at least three karats, but the setting itself was gorgeous, even without the sparkle of additional diamonds and aquamarines. “It’s beautiful. Is it vintage? It looks deco. That is so unusual. Where did you find it?”

“Kansas,” said Max. “At an Antique Auction that was held at a Grange and Feed Lot.”

“They usually have good stuff at the ones where I’m from,” said Olivia. “My dad got an apple press last year. But how did she not get suspicious when you said you were going to Kansas?”

“I had to tell her I was going to California to visit my mom,” said Max, glancing at Dominique sheepishly.

“And I totally fell for it,” said Dominique. “Of course, it helped that his mom was totally in on it and posted pics on social media.” She let out a disgusted breath.

“I went the next day,” he said, laughing. “Most of those were real!”

Dominique laughed but turned as they heard the sound of the door in the hall.

“Ella,” called someone from the hall, “I don’t think…” The door opened, and a petite Asian woman came in carrying a massive stack of presents. Aiden came through directly behind her, carrying one box. “Can you wait? I want to put them under the tree.”

“The tree? I want to show them off, so people spend all of dinner wondering what’s in them.”

Ella dropped the boxes on the sofa and turned to the room.

“Katie!” she and Aiden exclaimed at the same time.

“Oh, thank goodness,” said Ella, coming forward to hug her. “We’ve been worrying about you.”