He Thought I’d Beg, Until I Cancelled Our Engagement Chapter 02

Ethan was forty minutes late to our appointment to choose my three-piece bridal jewelry set.

The sales associate took out the gold pieces and polished them twice while I waited.

When he finally arrived, his childhood friend, Natalie Brooks, came in behind him.

“I ran into Nat on the way. She wanted to do some shopping, so I brought her along.”

He took the water the associate offered him. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Natalie smiled before I could answer.

“If Claire minds, I’ll leave right now. Wouldn’t want anyone saying I don’t respect boundaries.”

She said she’d leave, but she was already sitting on the sofa in the private seating area.

Ethan frowned. “Ignore her. She’s still upset about the seating chart.”

Soon, the associate returned with two velvet jewelry boxes.

“Sir, your fiancée sent you a picture of the plain bangle she selected. This lady just picked out the engraved one. Which would you like?”

“The engraved one.”

Ethan took the bangle and held it beside Natalie’s wrist.

The engraved gold flashed under the lights.

“Nat always has great taste.”

The associate looked at me.

I spent two weeks comparing the quality of the gold and visiting three stores before settling on the plain bangle.

Ethan thought all that was a hassle.

He never opened a single link I sent him.

Natalie turned the bangle over, smiling.

“This one looks expensive. It’ll look classy at the reception, too. Much less boring than the plain one.”

Ethan held it up to the light. “It does look better.”

“So we’re getting this one?”

“Let’s do it.”

I spoke up. “This is supposed to be my bridal jewelry.”

Natalie pulled her hand back immediately. “Sorry. I forgot you were here.”

The store went quiet.

Natalie’s eyes reddened on cue.

Ethan looked at me, a warning in his voice. “Nat’s trying to help. Don’t twist it into something else.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s written all over your face.”

He came over and pressed his thumb gently between my furrowed brows.

“We’re about to get married. Stop making everyone walk on eggshells around you.”

I moved his hand away. “Let’s put the wedding on hold.”

Natalie froze.

Ethan smiled like that was exactly what he expected to hear.

“Sure. On hold.”

He didn’t even ask why.

“What are we talking, a few days? Until after Thanksgiving? Or until you’re done being mad?”

“I’m serious.”

“Sure you are.”

He said it, but his expression made it clear he didn’t mean it.

Silence hung over the store for a few seconds.

The associate quietly asked whether we still wanted the bangle.

Ethan took out his credit card. “Box up both.”

“The plain one as well?”

“Yes. She likes it.”

He said it as if buying the bangle I chose meant he cared what I wanted.

The associate looked down to write up the sale. No one spoke.

While Ethan paid, Natalie looked at her phone and suddenly spoke up.

“Ethan, I booked the suite upstairs at the Whitmore for Thanksgiving. The one with the view.”

“Those suites are so hard to get. It’ll be perfect for looking out over the city.”

She turned to me, half joking. “Since there’s no seat for you at dinner, Claire, why don’t you hang out in the suite that night? Though I might not feel like talking. I’m still getting over my breakup.”

“Don’t bother asking her.”

Ethan answered too quickly.

“There’s no seat for her at dinner. No need to save her a spot in the suite, either.”

The paper bag holding the bangles suddenly felt lighter in my hand.

One of its cord handles wasn’t properly secured.

The velvet box with the plain bangle fell out and rolled to Natalie’s feet.

She glanced down without picking it up.

Ethan bent to get it.

Before he reached it, a hotel booking receipt fluttered out of his pocket.

The payment receipt for that suite.

Under special requests, it read: [Ms. Brooks likes cherries. Please send up an imported fruit platter.]