“A fresh box sitting right here actually proves nothing happened between us.”
Proving our innocence again.
They shared one room to prove their innocence.
And now I was supposed to buy this to prove their innocence too.
When I didn't move, Clifford's face went cold.
“Tamara, don't make a scene here.”
“Peggy's embarrassed enough already.”
Peggy's tears spilled over at once.
“Forget it, Clifford.”
“Tamara must think I'm shameless.”
Clifford's eyes snapped to me.
“Apologize.”
My fingertips tightened, bit by bit.
“You want me to apologize to her?”
“Yes.”
There wasn't a trace of warmth in his voice.
“She's your friend, and she only agreed to play this game for your sake.”
“Now you've humiliated her like this. Shouldn't you apologize?”
I looked at Peggy.
Her head was bowed, tears dropping one by one onto her bathrobe.
But for a single instant, the corner of her mouth curved, ever so faintly.
Almost like a smile.
Suddenly I had no strength left.
“Fine.”
Clifford's expression eased a little.
He thought I'd finally backed down.
Instead I turned and walked toward the door.
“I'll go buy it.”
I stepped into the elevator.
My face stared back from the mirrored wall. Pale. Wretched. Numb.
I didn't go to the vending machine.
I went back up to the top floor.
Rick was still sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window.
When he saw me come back empty-handed, he raised an eyebrow.
I sat down on the sofa, and all at once the exhaustion hit me everywhere.
“Rick.”
“You said earlier that the James family would put up more than the Delgados. Does that still stand?”
He looked at me.
“It stands.”
I lifted my head, my voice soft.
“Good. Then when do we register the marriage?”
Ten the next morning, outside the county clerk's office.
Clifford and Peggy got out of the car one after the other.
A few of the friends from last night had come along too.
The moment they saw me standing at the door, they broke into grins.
“Here so early, are you?”
“Talked so tough last night about not wanting to register, and here she is showing up like a good girl.”
Peggy gave them a gentle tug.
“Don't talk about Tamara that way.”
“It's perfectly normal for a girl to look forward to getting the license.”
She turned to me, her smile tender.
“Tamara, let's just put last night behind us.”
“You and Clifford should build a good life from here on.”
“I'll keep my distance from you two, so there won't be any misunderstandings.”
Such pretty words.
If her arm hadn't still been looped through Clifford's,
I might almost have believed her.
Clifford held out his hand to me.
“Tamara, come on. I told you I'd marry you.”
I glanced down at the red booklet in my hand.
“Who said I came here to register with you?”
Clifford's face changed.
“What are you talking about?”
The next second, a black Cullinan pulled up at the curb.
The door opened.
Rick stepped out and slid his arm easily around my shoulders.
Then he raised his hand and held up two marriage certificates in front of Clifford.
A red that stung the eyes.
The corner of Rick's mouth curved.
“Mr. Delgado.”
“You're too late.”
“Tamara is my wife now.”
