I park in front of Grace’s Touch, but I remain inside the car for a moment to catch my breath and pull myself together.

I started working for Grace LaClaire, Bryant LaClaire’s wife, a year after I got together with Lance. Both Lance and I agreed that it felt awkward to be employed by him—as a caretaker— when I was sleeping with him. Two weeks later, during one of the monthly LaClaire dinners, Grace proposed I work at one of her popular spas as a massage therapist. I told her I don’t have much experience in that area, and Lance immediately offered to pay for an intensive massage therapy course.

I was employed at Grace’s Touch the month I graduated from my course. As time passed, Grace became one of my first friends in Boston. But, like Lance and the rest of them, I kept her in the dark about who I really am. No one can know, and I won’t let Kirk change that.

I enter through the glass doors of the fancy spa, a hand inside one pocket of my jeans, my fingers touching the box with the engagement ring inside it.

I greet the other ladies without meeting their gazes and run to hide in one of the massage rooms. Behind closed doors, my shoulders sink. Grace’s Touch, with its plush carpets, dim lighting, and calming aromas always calms my nerves. I love working here. I love making people feel better about themselves and their bodies. Massaging someone brings me as much relief as it brings them.

I lean against one of the massage tables and pull the box from my pocket. When I open it, the ring blinks at me, begging me to try it on. God knows I want to wear it if only to soothe my aching heart.

I glance at the time on the wall clock. My first client of the day, booked for a deep tissue massage, is due in forty-five minutes. I consider going for a walk to clear my head, but what if Kirk is waiting out there? I’m trying to be brave, but the truth is, I’m terrified. I know what Kirk is capable of. Hopefully, he won’t do something stupid like walking into Grace’s Touch pretending to be a client.

In need of something to make me feel better, I pluck the ring from its bed of silk and hold it between my forefinger and thumb, holding it up to the light, remembering how it had felt when Lance proposed—the marriage of happiness and pain. I never even knew that two contrasting emotions can fill a heart at the same time.

With the way things are looking right now, I don’t know if I can accept his proposal, but there’s no harm in me trying on the ring once.

I lift my left hand in front of me and slide the piece of luxury metal onto my ring finger. It’s perfectly made for me. I wish I could keep it. But I can’t. The only reason I brought it with me to work was to serve as a reminder that I need to decide by the end of the day. After work, I intend on going back to Lance’s villa to tell him my answer. It’s not fair of me to make him wait for longer than that.

I’m about to remove the ring, when the glass slides open and Grace appears in the doorway, beaming at me. Watching her, you would never know she’s the boss as she often dresses in the same blush massage scrubs as her employees.

“Hey, gorgeous. You’re in early.”

I put my hand behind my back. I don’t want her to see the ring. I don’t want to tell her about the proposal. I don’t want anybody to know until I make my decision.

“You know I like being here. It’s so calming.”

“I feel the same way.” Grace closes the door and comes to stand next to me, also leaning against the massage table, her arms folded across her chest, her gaze in the distance. This business is her dream, and she’s living it. “I love this place.”

Grace has enough employees that she actually doesn’t need to come to work if she doesn’t feel like it. She could stay home and spend more time with her son. But she works because she loves it—not for the money. I could be jealous of everything she has, but she’s one of the nicest people I know. It’s hard not to wish her well.

“Look at you.” She throws her head back in laughter. “You made me forget what I’m here for.” A gentle curve touches her lips. “I saw you coming in and wanted to tell you that your client canceled. Your next is at eleven. Looks like you have a lot of time on your hands till then. We could grab a coffee if you like.”

“You’re the most amazing boss, you know that?”

Grace steps in front of me and before I can stop her, she reaches for my hands. “Who wouldn’t be nice to a kind soul like you?”

She has no idea. Looks can be deceiving.

I try to act normal, forcing myself not to look at the ring in the hand she’s holding. But Grace feels the ring and instantly lifts my hand to the light, eyes wide. “My goodness, what is this?”

I gently remove my hand from her grasp and slide the ring from my finger. I curl my fingers around it. “It’s just ... It’s just a ring. It’s nothing.”

“Just a ring?” She crosses her arms in front of her chest. “It didn’t look like just a ring. Come on, let me see it again.”

I hesitate for a moment and give it to her. She studies it in the palm of her hand, then looks up at me. “Tell me this is not what I think it is.”

I peel my gaze from hers.

She gasps. “It is, isn’t it?”

My eyes meet hers again. There’s no use lying to her. I’m sure the truth is written all over my face. “Yeah, it is.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She gathers me into a warm but crushing hug. “Lance asked you to marry him? When?”

I swallow hard and pull back. “This morning.”

She gives me back the ring and narrows her eyes. “Then why aren’t you happy right now?”

“I didn’t give him an answer.” I walk toward the shelf where all the massage oils are displayed and pick up one in turn—pretending to be reading the labels.

Grace doesn’t say anything for so long that for a moment I wonder if she left the room. I turn around and there she is, watching me with a worried expression.

“I thought you loved him.” Her expression grows serious. “You said he’s the love of your life.”

“He is, Grace.” I approach her, begging her to believe me. “I love him more than anyone. And his daughter is amazing.”

“Then, what’s stopping you from taking the leap?”

“It’s a big decision.”

“Not when you’re so in love. Not when he’s your whole world.”

I turn around again, so she doesn’t see the tears clouding my eyes. “It’s complicated.”

“Does it have something to do with Alice, his dead wife?” She places a hand on my shoulder, and I flinch. “Look, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. The way Lance talks about you, the way he looks at you, it’s so clear you mean everything to him. He adores you. We would all be thrilled if you became part of this family.”

I turn to face her, my throat clenched. “I know. You’re all amazing to me. You already make me feel like part of the family.”

“That’s because you’re a wonderful person. You’ve been there for Lance through his hardest times. After he lost Alice, I was really scared he might go back to drinking or do something to himself.” Grace sighs. “But you pulled him through.”

“I had no choice. He’s the man I love.”

“That’s why this is so confusing to me. I thought you would say yes immediately if he asked you.”

I shrug. “I just never thought about getting married again.”

“What?” Grace’s head jerks back. “You were married before?”

Shit. I have to do some damage control immediately. “No, what am I saying?” I wave a dismissive hand. “Of course not. I wasn’t married before. I’m scared, that’s all. You hear about marriages ending all the time. It makes me nervous.”

“Hey, love.” She pulls me into another hug. “I don’t think you need to be worried. I have a feeling yours will last a lifetime.”

She lets me go again and touches my cheek. “But you’re right, it is a big decision. If only more people took time to think before they tie the knot, there wouldn’t be so many failed marriages and broken hearts.” She plants her hand on her hips. “Come on, let’s go out for that coffee. I’m dying to know how Lance proposed to you.”