us, loud enough to cut through the din. "And who is that beautiful wo

s meant purely for Edward's benefit. "Looks

darling!" she exclaimed, her voice theatrical. She linked her arm through his, pressing herself against his side. "So glad you' re h

ped. Engage

breaking out like wildfire. "Engagement?" "Final

twitched in his jaw. Jeannette, however, looked positively radi

r regret. He was looking at me with... annoyance. As if I were a minor inconvenience, a fly bot

"Who's this new one?" he whispered, his competitive

's high school crush. His 'white whale,' as he used to call h

rowned, clearly not gr

eannette since high school. She went off to live abroad, but everyone kne

slightly, a rare sight. "Jeannette," he said, his voice carrying, "I believe there's been a slight misunderstanding. While I have the

ed, his voice firm, "is a promise ring. To Allyson. My girlfriend. We' ve been together for three

smile faltered. Her hand, which had been resting confident

. A promise ring? He' d never worn one. Never even sug

and a character proposed with a simple band. I' d casually mentioned how sweet it was. E

s. And now, this. This car

arely above a whisper, but in the sudden

e confusion, now registered a flicker of somethin

I... I clearly misunderstood. I thought you were just playin

his eyes still fixed on me. He took a step t

ser as if to physically assert his claim. He ignored

ce low and dangerous, audible only to me and Brod

forgot his manners," he said, his voice loud enough for Edw

ring in their depths. The intensity was shocking

ice laced with thinly veiled

son is with me now. And I tend to stand by the women I'm wi

d, tried to interject. "Edw

ever leaving mine. "Allyson, we need

n't seen in years, not since we first started dating and he was fig

Jeannette said, her voice strained. Her eyes, still wide w

his patience clearly wearing thin. He tu

ing. This wasn't about me. This wa

ectly coiffed hair. He looked around, suddenly aware of the dozens of eyes on him. I watch

, almost pleading. "I truly am sorry. I just assumed

then back at me, a flicker of something almost like desperation in

. "Let's all maintain a level of decorum suitable for the occasion." He then looked pointedly at Jeannette.

but still somewhat bewildered, took it. As they walked past me, Edward's eyes, sti

ntinuing, his voice a low rumble

was heavy, punctuated only by