Page 127 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
“Yeah, I guess that’s more your speed,” I said.
It was good to see Tony wasn’t changing too much with his new responsibilities. It would be a shame if he grew up too fast.
We got back to the resort and made our way to the suite with our goodies. The moment I stepped through the door, I knew something was up.
Norah looked like she’d just gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing!”
“Never play poker, Norah,” Tony said, then quickly added, “my love.”
“We have to go for a walk,” she blurted out.
“What are you talking about?” Tony asked. “We just got back.”
“I want to go for a walk right now,” Norah insisted.
“Seriously, what’s going on?” I asked. Alarm was bubbling up. Norah was acting strange. Something was off. “Where’s Claire?”
“I’m here,” Claire said and came out of the bedroom area.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Tony, let’s hit the road!” Norah was a tiny woman, but I had no doubt in my mind she would throw Tony over her shoulder and carry him out of the room if he didn’t comply.
He trailed her out. “You know I’ll follow you anywhere, but can I get some water first? That cheese run took it out of me.”
The door slammed behind them.
I looked at Claire and waited. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she said. “Norah was just giving us a few minutes of privacy.”
“I love being alone with you, but is there a reason? Did something happen? Are you okay?”
“Relax,” she said, smiling. “I wanted to give you something.”
She stepped into the room and returned with a flat white box with a bow on it.
“Claire, you specifically told me I was not allowed to buy you a wedding gift,” I said. “You made me swear we weren’t exchanging gifts.”
She laughed and gave me the box. “It’s not a gift per se.”
“It’s in a box and you’re giving it to me,” I pointed out. “That’s a gift.”
“Fine, then I guess you could say this is a gift we gave each other.”
“I don’t even know what that means,” I said. “But I also got you a gift. So, ha.”
I pulled a black velvet box from my suitcase and handed it to her.
Her eyes widened. “But you swore?”
I held up the gift box she’d given me. “So did you. Open mine first.”
She lifted the lid and pulled out a dazzling pair of diamond earrings. “Oh my god, they’re gorgeous.”
