Chapter 4 Slap the jerk

"It has to be a Google image," Illa said, her voice shaking slightly. "He's bluffing. He has to be."

She snatched Evie's phone and typed: Nice picture. Did you download it from Pinterest?

The three dots appeared immediately.

Cartier, Fifth Avenue. Ask for Jean-Luc,He's expecting you. Pick two,One for you, and one for the noisy friend.

Illa stared at the phone. "The noisy friend? Did he just call me the noisy friend?" Then her eyes lit up. "Wait. He said pick one for me?"

"I am not doing this," Evie said, standing up. "This feels like... like I'm being bought. I'm not a sugar baby."

It's a wedding ring, Evie, Gus texted, as if reading her mind. You are a wife, not a mistress. Go. Before I have security drag you there.

"He's bossy," Illa said, already running to her room to change. "I love him. Get dressed. We are going to Cartier."

An hour later, they stood in front of the Cartier Mansion.

Evie felt like an imposter in her jeans and blazer, but Illa marched in like she owned the place.

Before they could even approach the counter, a man in an impeccable suit materialized.

"Mrs. Williams?" he asked, bowing slightly to Evie.

Her stomach did a flip. "Uh, yes?"

"Mr. G has arranged everything. Please, follow me."

He led them past the tourists, past the glass cases, up the sweeping staircase to a private room that smelled of lilies and money. Champagne was already poured.

Jean-Luc donned white gloves and brought out two velvet trays.

"For the bride," he said, opening the first one.

A yellow diamond sat on the velvet. It was radiant cut, flanked by two white trillions. It looked like a captured piece of the sun. It was massive.

"A Canary diamond," Illa breathed. "Vivid fancy yellow. My god, Evie, the clarity..."

"And for the friend," Jean-Luc opened the second box. A pink diamond pendant. Smaller than the raw stone in the picture, but still exquisite.

"Mr. G said the yellow suits Mrs. Williams' warmth," Jean-Luc said smoothly. "And the pink is for... amusement."

Illa didn't care about the insult. She was already holding the pendant up to her neck. "He can call me whatever he wants. This is gorgeous."

Evie looked at the ring. "I can't wear this. It's too big."

"Mr. G insisted," Jean-Luc said. "He said if you don't take it, he will question my competence."

Emotional blackmail. Effective.

Evie slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Not just close-perfectly. A chill went down her spine. How did he know?

"It's beautiful," she whispered. For a second, the weight of the gold on her finger felt like an anchor. A promise.

The door to the VIP room opened.

"I demand to see the manager!"

Evie froze. That voice.

Darrin walked in, a blonde girl hanging off his arm. He stopped dead when he saw Evie.

"Everleigh?" He blinked, then his face twisted into a sneer. "What are you doing here? Applying for a janitor job?"

The blonde girl giggled. "Is this the ex who lived in your basement?"

Evie instinctively put her hand behind her back. She didn't want to engage.

But Illa stepped forward. She held up the pink diamond pendant, letting it catch the light. "Oh, sorry, is the glare bothering you? It's just so... flawless."

Darrin's eyes bulged. "Where did you get that?"

"Gift," Illa said breezily. "From Evie's husband."

"Husband?" Darrin laughed, a harsh, barking sound. "You mean the guy she picked up at the bar? What did he give her? A cubic zirconia?"

Jean-Luc stepped forward, his face like stone. "Sir, please lower your voice. You are disturbing our VIP clients."

"VIP?" Darrin sputtered. "She's broke! She has nothing!"

Evie felt a surge of anger. Not for her, but for the man who had sent her here. Gus wasn't nothing.

She brought her hand out from behind her back. The yellow diamond caught the overhead lights and practically exploded with brilliance. It cast a literal reflection on the wall.

Darrin stopped breathing. The blonde girl's jaw dropped.

"My husband," Evie said, her voice steady, "has excellent taste. And unlike you, he doesn't need to shout to be heard."

Darrin looked from the ring to Evie, his face turning a mottled shade of red.

He knew jewelry.

He knew what that stone was worth. It was worth more than his life.

"You..." he stammered.

"Jean-Luc," Evie said, turning to the manager. "Could we have some privacy?"

"Certainly, Mrs. Williams." Jean-Luc gestured to security. "Sir, please escort these guests out."

As Darrin was ushered out, sputtering, Evie looked down at the ring. It felt like armor.

She pulled out her phone.

Ring received. It fits. Thank you... husband.