Piper basically screamed as she dragged Shea across the store to a case that held the most sparkling rings he had ever seen. He sat in the chair in front of the case as Piper brought out each display.

“Aren’t they pretty!”

“They are,” he said breathlessly as he looked at each ring.

“What are you doing?” Shea looked up as Victoria sat down beside him. Piper made a face at Victoria, and then looked back down at Shea.

“Isn’t that Elli’s sister?”

“Yeah, she came to help.”

“Why?”

“Because I can,” Victoria snapped before looking back down at Shea, “I don’t think Elli would like pink rings. They’re kind of childish, don’t you think?” she asked.

“Um, no, they are actually very classy looking,” Piper said, pointing down at a large pink diamond that was surrounded by little white ones. “See the cut, the elegance? A girl would die to have this on their finger. I know I would.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s pretty, but a white diamond is so beautiful, distinguished.” Victoria countered.

“Yeah, but it’s played out. A pink diamond is new, thrilling. Elli has amazing style and this would add to it. All women will want to be like Elli because she has an engagement ring that no one else has. Not too many people buy these. They are crazy expensive.”

Piper was right, and when she brought out another display, Shea found the ring.

“That’s it,” Shea said pointing to the elegant ring. Elli would love it.

“Oh, yes, the cushion-cut fancy deep pink diamond with round brilliant white diamonds, in platinum ring setting. I know, it’s amazing. It’s two carats, with a clarity of VS2.” Piper gushed, sounding like a ring magazine or, better yet, a great seller because she had Shea sold. The pink princess cut diamond stood out with the hundreds of little round diamonds around it; the band was covered in them. It was beautiful. Elli would flip when she saw it. When Piper handed it to him, he held it in his hand and he was sure it wouldn’t be too heavy for Elli’s pretty hand. It was perfect.

“I’ll take it.”

“Seriously?”

“Shea! It’s almost a million dollars!” Victoria complained as Piper still looked shocked.

“Yeah, Elli would love it. Do you have a wedding band to match?”

“You want to buy that, too?” Piper asked, astonished.

“Yeah,” Shea said with a grin, “I want it all, she’s going to love it.”

Shea was on cloud nine as he drove back with his little blue package of two of the most gorgeous rings that his future bride would wear.

He hoped.

Shea chuckled to himself as he turned onto the road that led to his condo.

“What are you laughing at?” Victoria asked, “Are you delirious because of how much money you spent on two rings?”

“No, Elli is worth every penny. I’m laughing because I’m actually scared she might say no.”

Victoria didn’t say anything, which surprised Shea since she had an opinion on everything. He noticed, though, that she hadn’t said much since he said he wanted the rings. It was weird.

When they pulled into the spot beside her car, Victoria got out as Shea hid the ring under his seat, before locking the doors. Elli was a snoop and he refused to bring the rings in the house. She would find them within an hour.

Victoria stood at the end of the truck, looking as pristine as Elli always did, but Victoria didn’t have the light in her eyes that Elli always had. Victoria was a very beautiful girl, but she wasn’t his Elli.

“Thanks for going with me, Victoria,” Shea said as she came to stand in front of her. She smiled sweetly, putting her hand on his bicep.

“I had a wonderful time. Elli will love the rings.”

“Yeah, she will,” he said trying to shake her hand off.

“Well, come here and give your future sister-in-law a hug, because Elli would be crazy to say no,” Victoria said before she threw herself into his arms. He caught her, even though he really didn’t want to. When she pulled back some, she looked up at him before whispering, “She doesn’t deserve you.”

Shea had no time to react, she pressed her mouth against his, and before he could pull back, she slapped his face hard.

“Oh, my god! You’re with my sister, you pig!”

Shea looked down at her, shocked, as she moved away from him, “You crazy bi-”

“Are you f**king kidding me right now?”

Shea looked over; feeling like his stomach hit the ground, before meeting eyes with a very angry Elli.

Oh, f**k.

Elli only saw rage as she stomped her way past Shea and Victoria, and up the stairs to the condo. Shea called out her name and she ignored him as she entered the condo, also ignoring Adler as she headed to the kitchen. When she found the black trash bags from under the sink, she made her way to the dining room, throwing each of her shoes in the bag with more force than needed.

How could he do this to her? It was her sister, the one person that if she could beat the crap out of she would. Elli hated Victoria. It didn’t matter how nice Victoria had been to her lately, Elli knew it was all a crock of shit! Elli felt the tears that threatened to fall, but she pushed them back. There was no way she would cry in front of Shea. He didn’t deserve it.

Seeing them together made Elli physically want to puke. Shea, in all his beautiful glory, with a f**king hag! What was he thinking? Elli thought he was over the Barbie dolls! She shook her head as she continued to throw each shoe in the bag. How could he do this to her?