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throat burn as I reach under the t-shirt to pull out a small, square box.

I almost drop it. I know what's inside before I open the lid. My eyes close as they settle on the beautiful solitaire diamond ring that we admired together in the jewelry store window after our first dinner out together when I came back to Boston. I told Parker it was what my dreams were made of and he turned me towards him and whispered that he wanted to make all those dreams come true. He told me then that he couldn’t afford the ring. Staring down at in my palm I know that he bought the ring and then broke my heart.

I reach for the side of the dresser to balance not only my feet but also, all of my emotions. I don't know why I came back here. This is my past. Regardless of what hidden treasures lie beneath the cover of Parker's things, the truth came spilling out of his mouth. He didn't want me anymore. I don't want him now. My future is in New York.

I close the box slowly after studying the ring for a minute more. I move the t-shirt aside just as I hear the unmistakable sound of his key in the lock.

This apartment is small. There's no window ledge to stand on like they do in the movies when caught in a space they no longer belong. I belonged here once. This was my home. I just need to walk out there and tell Parker why I'm here. I have to face him. I have to do it. There's no other choice.

I take a step forward when I hear the voices. It's not just one; there are two. Both are male. One is distinctively deeper than the other.

"I want to call her every day." That's Parker. I know his voice. I've known it since we were teenagers desperately in love.

"You can't. We had a deal." I know that voice too. I've heard it before. It's deep and melodic. It's strong.

There's silence and then the shuffle of shoes against the hardwood floor. I inch closer to the doorway of the bedroom. "I wish I hadn't taken the money. She's worth more than that."

Parker took someone's money for something. This isn't a conversation he'd want me to overhear. I have no right to still be listening to this.

"You took it, Parker. You can't undo it."

I reach for the wall to stop myself from falling forward. I'm hearing things now. I know that I am. In my rush to find Ben I forgot to eat anything. I'm lightheaded and my mind is playing tricks on me.

"I want this to be over. I want to know when I can have her back." Parker's voice is strained. I hear the anxiety in it.

"She's getting through to my brother. I've been following her. She's met him a few times now. As soon as he lets me back into his life, she's all yours."

She's all yours.

The words float through my mind as I step into the hallway.

I clear my throat, rest my hand against the wall and stare straight at Parker and Ben as they turn to look at me.


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Tags: Deborah Bladon Ruin Romance