“Okay, okay!” Josie cried out. “I’m sure I have something else. Come on.”
As I followed Josie out the door, I glanced back to witness Grayson throw a cushion at his brother.
“Idiot,” he muttered.
Adam knocked it aside. “I know.”
I twirled the ring on my finger as I stood in front of the mirror in the powder-blue dress Josie had bought on our shopping expedition before Melanie’s wedding. She’d forgotten about practicality when it came to breastfeeding, so instead of it gathering dust in the closet for the next twelve months, she insisted I wear it before it went out of style.
The flowy knee-length dress fell flawlessly over my body. The sheer sleeves did nothing for warmth but were too pretty to hide away under a cardigan, so I opted to leave it behind.
As I built up the courage to make one final alteration, I drew a deep breath and slid off my wedding ring and placed it on the nightstand. A lone tear tracked down my face as I read the inscription.
My heart is yours. D.
Closing my eyes, I grasped the crystals around my wrist and pushed the pain away. This wasn’t the night to wallow in my misery. This was my chance to enjoy dinner with a lovely man. A charming, smart, handsome doctor who cared about old people as much as I did. What could go wrong?
When my cell phone vibrated across the desk, I grabbed my shoes and handbag and headed for the door. I told Marc to meet me at the car to avoid gossip amongst the employees, but I wasn’t sure if he’d taken me seriously, so I had to move fast.
With the aid of the door jamb, I slipped on one shoe and fumbled with the buckle, while dropping the other onto the floor. I hadn’t worn heels this high since before Finn was born, and now I remembered why.
“Need some help?” Adam asked through the small opening of the room opposite.
“It’s fine.” I hopped around, trying to keep my balance while I attempted the second buckle. “I’ve got this.”
He rubbed the back of his neck as he stepped into the hall. “Clearly.”
“I forgot how hard these things are to put on,” I said, resting against the wall.
“Here…” Adam bent down in front of me and wrapped his fingers behind my ankle.
My breath caught as tingles shot straight to my core. “Thanks,” I muttered as he fastened the tiny buckles.
His eyes rolled over my body as he stood. “You look amazing.” A touch of sadness floated through his eyes. “I hope he appreciates it.”
Was he finally letting go? “I hope so, too.”
“Cass…” Adam grasped my hand as I passed. “I’m sorr—” His lowered eyes locked onto the pale line around my ring finger. “Where’s your ring?”
Guilt tore at my heart. “It’s been four years, Adam. I think it’s time I move on…don’t you?”
His eyes bored into mine. “I do…but…”
“But what?” I asked, surprised by the tender stroke of his thumb.
Just when I captured a glimpse of real emotion, he dropped my hand and took a step back. “But nothing,” he said, backing down the hall before whirling around. “Have a great night.”
21
“How did you find this place?” I asked as Marc pulled out my chair.
The inconspicuous little restaurant by the water was a hidden gem. A fireplace filled the dining room with warmth, while couples enjoyed quiet chatter over plates of glorious seafood. My mouth salivated on sight.
“I knew you would approve. When Nora told me you loved the ocean, I did my research.”
“That’s sweet. Thank you. It really is beautiful.”
“And super discreet,” he said in a whisper.