Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1) - Claire Kingsley Page 0,43

the building to shine on my outstretched hand. It was perfect. The engagement ring of my dreams.

My heart squeezed again. I would have loved a ring like this. It was exactly what I’d always envisioned.

But I couldn’t use it. I’d ruin it forever if I got fake-engaged with this ring. Not that I thought my someday-fiancé would buy this exact ring. But I was afraid I’d never be able to wear one like it if I wore one now, when this was all just for show.

“Hmm, I don’t know.” I took it off and handed it back to Shauna. “Maybe I should try a few more.”

“How about I let you two peruse in private.” She rose from her seat. “I’ll come check on you in a little while. In the meantime, if you have any questions, or would like to see something else, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you,” I said, and Shepherd nodded to her.

Shauna left and I let out a long exhale. “This is so overwhelming.”

“It seemed as if you liked that one.” Shepherd gestured to the ring I’d tried on.

“I don’t just like it. I love it.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I lowered my voice, almost to a whisper, although no one was here. “I can’t use my dream ring for a fake engagement.”

Shepherd regarded me through narrowed eyes for a long moment before speaking. “All right. Do you want to know which one I think we should choose?”

“I do, actually.”

The ring he picked up from the tray was a simple solitaire—a platinum band with a single setting. But the simplicity ended there. The diamond was enormous. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a diamond so large in person before.

“That?”

“Here.” He motioned for me to give him my hand, so I let him slide the ring on my finger.

I held out my hand, fingers splayed, the giant rock glittering. I was surprised it didn’t bend the light and cast rainbows all over the room. “This one?”

“We’ll choose the diamond separately,” he said. “So if you think it should be larger, that’s not a problem.”

“Larger? Are you joking?” I moved my hand closer to his face. “I can hardly lift this thing.”

He laughed softly and there went another heart-squeeze. “It’s not that big.”

“Yes, it is. How do people function with rings this size? It’ll get caught on everything.”

“It’s what Shepherd Calloway would buy his fiancée,” he said, his voice nonchalant. “And it’ll make Svetlana insane.”

“You evil man.” I couldn’t help but grin at him. “You’re right, this would make her crazy with jealousy. It’s exactly what she’d want.”

“She’ll probably hope it’ll give my dad ideas.” He winced.

I held out my hand, looking at the monstrosity that was going to be my fake-engagement ring. “No, regardless of your dad’s perceived wealth, that’s not her goal. She wants you.”

“I can’t fathom how she thinks sleeping with my father is going to get her what she wants.”

“Are you sure they’re sleeping together, though?” I asked. It was something I’d wondered, but it wasn’t the kind of thing you brought up to your boss slash fake boyfriend out of the blue. “He’s receiving treatment for prostate cancer. He might not even be able to… you know. Plus, I’ve never seen her spend the night, and I’m almost positive he’s never slept at her place. Not that you have to sleep over if you’re having sex, but still. It does raise the question.”

“Hm.”

Since Shepherd didn’t say anything else, I let the subject drop. After all, the whole situation was terribly awkward. I wished Shepherd would have just told his dad the truth right away. But since I’d gotten to know Richard, I’d caught some glimpses as to why. He was a sensitive man and he was already going through so much, what with his illness and financial crisis. And according to Shepherd, his relationships were always very short-lived, especially when the woman was considerably younger. He was clearly going through something and if Shepherd—and his brother, who had apparently encouraged Shepherd to keep quiet—thought this was best, maybe they were right.

One thing I was sure of: If and when Richard found out the truth, even if he was hurt, he’d understand that his sons did it to protect him. I just hoped he’d be able to forgive me for my part in it, too.

I held up my hand again. This was turning out to be so much more complicated than I’d ever thought. And the feelings simmering in my tummy weren’t helping. I kept trying