I’d barely taken my first bite when Bash dropped into the chair beside me with his plate, acting like a guy who’d chugged three energy drinks.
He was jittery. Excited. Eyes bright. Hands restless.
I glanced at him. Then at his plate. Then back at him.
“What’s wrong with you?” I muttered. “Are you that twitterpated? Or did you skip your ADHD meds today?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Bash shot me a look. “I just want to tell you something.”
That alone should’ve been a warning sign.
“Okay,” I said, already bracing myself. “What is it?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “You promise you won’t tell anyone?”
I blinked. “Why would I tell anyone?”
“Just promise.”
I sighed. “Of course.”
Bash nodded like I’d just signed a contract. Then he reached into his pocket and started pulling something out.
“Whoa, buddy,” I said, sitting up straighter. “What are you doing?”
He barked out a laugh and bumped my shoulder. “Stop it, you weirdo.”
Then he angled his hand under the table to reveal a black velvet box.
And I didn’t need to see the inside to know what it held.
A ring.
Probably of the diamond variety.
My grip tightened on my drink without me meaning to, fingers going numb around the glass.
Bash’s face glowed with pride as he whispered, “I’m gonna ask Alessi to marry me.”
My stomach twisted, the words landing like a punch to the gut.
Not because I was jealous.
No. It was something worse.
Like cold hands gripping my heart and squeezing it dead.
I forced my face to remain neutral. Something supportive. Something that didn’t look like I was about to throw up on the deck in front of everyone.
“That’s… exciting,” I managed. “A-are you doing it tonight?”
“Yeah.” Bash nodded. “During the fireworks.”
“During the fireworks,” I repeated, mostly to make sure my brain had heard him right.
“Yep.” He looked like he might actually vibrate out of his chair. “I thought it would be perfect considering how we first got together.”
“Oh.” I nodded slowly, the pieces shoving together in my brain. “Because of your song?”