Her laughter, however subdued, was music to my ears. “Liam, we’ve watched it twice before. You know Frodo destroys the ring.”
I huffed at her. “Way to spoil the ending. Just for that, I want extra butter on my popcorn.”
“Deal.”
“Okay. Now, go and finish picking your finery.” I stood and walked to the safe. “Wait.” I rummaged around and handed her two boxes. “I want you to wear these.”
She smiled as she recognized the bracelet, and her eyes widened at the drop earrings that matched.
“Liam, they are beautiful. I can’t… What if—"
I held up my hand. “You won’t lose them. You’re wearing them. I want to see them on you. Lily said you’d be wearing your hair up. So, please. For me.”
“All right.”
“Okay. Send Everett in, please?”
She nodded and left. I sat, feeling relieved and discouraged at the same time.
Had I won the battle but lost the war?
I needed her on Saturday, but I needed her in my life even more.
My eyes drifted to the open safe where all the pieces of my nan’s jewelry were stored, and I pulled out the smallest box of all. Although I wanted Shelby to wear all the pieces I had inherited, there was one piece of jewelry I most wanted to see Shelby wearing. A thought I hadn’t been able to get out of my mind since I knew what I was feeling for her. I flipped open the lid, watching the light glint off the antique diamond that was nestled against the dark velvet. My nan’s ring. A unique, beautiful setting—elegant and perfect, just like the woman who I knew was meant to wear it.
I sighed and put the box back in the safe. Not yet. Not for a long while. But, I hoped, one day.
I only had to convince her.12LiamThings were better after our talk, but we weren’t back to normal yet. Shelby was still wary, and I tried as hard as I could to be casual—to be simply Oscar, but it was difficult. It was as if now that I realized how deep my feelings went for her, everything was more. I wanted to be around her all the time. I wanted her smiles and laughter. I wanted her every waking moment. I struggled every day not to overwhelm her. She felt something—I knew she did. I had to let her figure it out.
Saturday, I was anxious for the event, but not the usual sort of anxious I was used to. Because of the fact that we would be out in public and Shelby knew how tense it made me, it would be the perfect excuse to be close to her. Hold her hand. Tuck her into my side without her questioning why. For the first time in a long while, I was looking forward to going out. Everett and Cassidy were meeting us at the benefit for a brief time, as they also had another event to attend. Everett, I knew, was coming to make sure I got in safely and wouldn’t leave until I was comfortable. My car would be waiting to take us home whenever we were ready to leave.
Shelby was getting ready on her own today. Lily had been by earlier to make sure everything was okay, that my tuxedo was ready and Shelby was set. She had another client tonight, and Shelby and I told her we were fine on our own. The only thing she’d done was help Shelby do her hair.
I had been ready to go for a while and was now hanging out in the hallway, waiting for Shelby. The car was here, and I called to let her know it was time to go.
“I’m coming,” she replied.
My breath left my lungs as I waited for Shelby to make it down the stairs. Once again, Lily had outdone herself. The long dress floated around Shelby as she walked toward me, one shoulder bare and glowing pale against the deep-red hue of her dress.
I wanted to run my lips across that shoulder.
I watched her as she descended. Every. Single. Step.
Thank God Everett wasn’t here. I was, without a doubt, seriously eye-fucking his sister.
This time, I didn’t want to stop.
She was brilliant.
More than brilliant.
Shelby was elegance personified.
Until she tripped on the last step and tumbled into my arms.
I lunged forward, catching her, and we both chuckled. I nuzzled her head as I helped her to stand back up. “Arse over elbow already, Beaker? All right there?”
She patted her still-perfect hair. “I’m good.”
I arched my eyebrow at her as I settled her on her feet. She was much taller than normal.
“No-go on the low heels?”
She shook her head. “No. The dress was a little long, and I needed the height, or I’d trip over the hem all night.”
“The tripping has already started, I think.”
“I have to get used to them. I’ll be fine.” She looked dubious. “I think.”