“Champagne, please! We have an engagement to celebrate!”
And now, as we all finally draw breath, there’s a pause. Everyone’s looking at the ring lying in my palm. Richard still hasn’t taken it from me. Should I slide it onto his finger? Or just hand it over? Or … what? What are you supposed to do with men’s engagement rings?
“Sweetheart, about the ring,” says Richard at last. I can tell he’s trying to contort his face from “dubious” to “enthusiastic,” but it’s not working.
“Nice ring,” observes Lorcan.
“It’s lovely,” says Fliss encouragingly.
“Absolutely,” says Richard quickly. “Very … shiny. Very smart. It’s just that—”
“You don’t have to wear it,” I say hastily. “It’s not for wearing. You can keep it on your nightstand or whatever … maybe keep it in a drawer … or in a safe.…”
The look of relief on Richard’s face is so palpable, I can’t help laughing. As he hugs me tight again, I slip the ring into my pocket. We’ll just quietly forget it.
I knew that ring was a mistake.
For Sybella
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To everyone who helped: thank you.
BY SOPHIE KINSELLA
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Can You Keep a Secret?
Shopaholic & Sister
The Undomestic Goddess
Shopaholic & Baby
Remember Me?
Twenties Girl
Mini Shopaholic
I’ve Got Your Number
Wedding Night
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SOPHIE KINSELLA is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, as well as I’ve Got Your Number, Twenties Girl, Remember Me?, The Undomestic Goddess, and Can You Keep a Secret? She lives in England.