As outrageous as the diamond headphones were, I justified that they were related to my work, what I was doing with him.
Whatever’s in that box is about us.
There’s nothing to hide behind.
“Open it.”
“I don’t want to.”
He taps a foot, impatient. “It won’t bite.”
My hands shake a little as I open the case, and I’m accosted with the sheen of gold. The bracelet is a dazzling circle, wide as three of my fingers.
“A cuff?”
“Figured it was more your style than a tennis bracelet.”
The bracelet is simple and elegant. Edgy too. It would take on the style of anything you wore with it while maintaining its own classic perfection.
When I lift it from the case, it’s heavier than I expect.
“Does it come with a lock and key? I assume this is to keep me from running away again.”
He doesn’t laugh. “It’s to tell youI’mnot leaving.”
I shift in my seat, fidgeting as I look away. “The most expensive gift I’ve ever gotten was from my parents after…” I trail off, shaking my head. “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”
Harrison’s eyes grow flinty, and the words hang between us long enough I feel like a fool.
Maybe I misread this. He’s been spending a lot of time with me, but now a lump rises up my throat at the idea that he’s not in this the way I thought. Jealousy. Insecurity. One ugly emotion after the other, and I can’t shove them away fast enough.
I’m the girl who didn’t want commitment. And now, suddenly, I do?
I turn away, but he plants his hands on either side of my hips.
“Labels like ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’ aren’t for people like us.” My chest tightens, twists, but he plows on. “We live at the edge of success and failure. Where falling down causes more than a scratch. I see you. You might be young, but I know you. When I fuck up, it impacts thousands of people. When you fall, they feel it. I will be with you when you do.
“There’s a name for that. It’s not ‘girlfriend.’”
I turn the bracelet in my fingers, and my gaze lands on the inscription.
My Queen.
My heart stops.
It’s not about me or about him. It’s about us. The magic that happens when we’re together.
The way I feel when I’m around him.
I was afraid the feeling was fragile or that I’d be fragile if I leaned on it. But I realize it’s not. And I’m not.
“I hoped you’d like it.” There’s uncertainty in his voice. “If not, I—”
I press a finger against his lips. “Put it on me.”
16
Rae