Colette stepped out of the changing room. She was back in her street clothes-a tailored blazer and slacks-feeling stripped of the bridal fantasy.
She walked into the boutique lobby, expecting Julian to finally comment on the dress options.
Instead, she found Julian standing near the exit, holding his wool coat. He was actively avoiding her eyes, nervously adjusting his silk tie and gripping his briefcase.
"Colette," Julian blurted out, his voice tight. "A major crisis just occurred at the fund. The European markets are crashing. I have to leave the appointment immediately."
Colette's face fell. The heat from the fitting room vanished, replaced by a cold, rising anger. He was abandoning her. Again.
"Julian, we are supposed to pick out our wedding bands at the jeweler next door in ten minutes," she pointed out, her voice dangerously quiet.
Julian looked panicked. He turned to Alex, who was standing quietly by the front window, holding the leather folder.
"Alex," Julian said, desperation leaking into his tone. "I need a massive favor. Can you escort Colette to the jewelry store? Just to ensure her safety?"
Colette opened her mouth, a sharp objection ready on her tongue. This was a humiliating arrangement. Her fiancé was outsourcing his wedding duties to an employee.
Alex stepped forward smoothly. "Of course, Julian. I will make sure she gets there safely."
He agreed before Colette could refuse.
Julian sighed in relief. He thanked Alex profusely, leaned in to kiss Colette's cold, unresponsive cheek, and rushed out of the boutique doors.
Colette stood frozen in the lobby. A deep, heavy wave of dejection and embarrassment washed over her, drowning her pride.
Alex walked to the glass door. He held it open for her, his gaze silent and steady. He didn't offer pity.
They walked side-by-side down the busy Madison Avenue sidewalk. The silence between them was absolute, filled only by the clicking of Colette's heels against the concrete.
They entered the private viewing room of the luxury jewelry store. Chloe, the senior sales associate, greeted them with a brilliant, practiced smile.
Chloe looked at Alex's tailored suit, his imposing height, and the expensive watch on his wrist. She immediately assumed he was the wealthy groom.
"Congratulations to you both!" Chloe beamed, clasping her hands together. "You make such a stunning married couple. Please, sit."
Colette froze. The awkwardness of the situation suffocated her. She felt her cheeks burn.
She looked sideways at Alex, waiting for him to correct the associate. She waited for him to state his title.
Alex remained completely silent. His expression was calm. He allowed the massive misunderstanding to hang in the quiet air of the viewing room.
He even reached out. He casually rested a large, protective hand on the small of Colette's back as he guided her to the velvet chairs.
Colette's skin burned under his touch. Her mind spun from his bold, possessive behavior.
Chloe pulled out a velvet tray of massive, glittering diamond rings. She presented them directly to Alex for his approval.
The sight of the rings snapped Colette out of her daze. The humiliation of buying her own ring with another man crashed into her.
She stepped sharply away from Alex's touch.
"You are mistaken," Colette snapped at Chloe, her voice harsh and biting. "He is not my fiancé. He is merely an employee of my father."
Chloe's face flushed scarlet. She gasped, stammering out a profuse, panicked apology.
Alex dropped his hand. His face returned to a blank, emotionless mask. But Colette saw it-a dark, painful shadow crossed his eyes before he looked away.
Colette pointed blindly to a simple diamond band on the tray. "Pack that one up."
She signed the exorbitant receipt with trembling fingers, desperate to escape the suffocating room.
She grabbed the small bag and walked out of the store quickly, the bell chiming above the door. She left Alex to follow her out onto the street.
Alex stood on the sidewalk, watching her retreating back. His jaw was tight, his chest aching as he processed her harsh, public reminder of the massive social divide between them.
