Irritated with myself, I stood at my station and rearranged all my tools. Again. The first person I’d thought about when I got into work was Jal.

Actually, he’d been the first person I’d thought about that morning.

The last person I’d thought about last night, despite Tao's skills. I'd come four times but still hadn't been able to get Jal out of my head.

I wanted to think it was because of that ludicrous tip, but I knew better. Those blue eyes and that sexy smile, even his silly flirtation, all of it had gotten to me.

He’s a rich, arrogant white man. I knew I should be smarter than that.

And really, my brain was smarter. It was my libido that wasn't. I’d ended up dreaming about him, the kind of dreams I really shouldn’t have had after twisting up the sheets with Tao for a couple of hours. All of that lust should've been sated by now, but just the thought of Jal was enough to make my stomach tighten and arousal flare hot and bright inside me.

“Allie!” Alistair’s voice tugged me out of my reverie, and I came to a stop, turning to face him. He came rushing up to me, his face tight, eyes bright, almost wild.

For one frightening moment, I thought something had happened to someone in my family. My mind flashed to TJ being chased by those bullies.

“What is it?”

He caught my hands. “Is there anybody who can pick your brother up for you after school? This is an emergency!”

Relief flooded through me. Not my family. Anything else was minor.

Rolling my eyes, I tugged my hands free and shrugged. “If it’s a real emergency, sure. But your idea of an emergency and my idea of an emergency are two very different things, Alistair. I consider an emergency something that has to do with life, death, bodily harm, evisceration, a friend’s family member in the hospital…” I waved a hand in the air. “You? Your idea of an emergency is some Philly princess whining because she chipped a nail, and she might carry on at her next soiree that you did a subpar job.”

“Oh, hush.” He glared at me. “I wouldn’t consider that an emergency. A pain in the ass, yes. And she might consider it an emergency.” He shook his head. “Not the point. Look, I’d do it myself, but he specifically requested you, and when I tried to explain you had commitments…well, you know how some of our clients are…” He flapped his hands uselessly in the air, looking distraught.

Sighing, I propped my fist on my hip as he came around to face me. “Just what is the emergency and what’s in it for me?”

“Money,” he blurted out. “Of course. For both of us. And word-of-mouth if we're lucky. He’s offered a thousand-dollar cash bonus for you, and he’s told me he’ll be switching his services here, which is all the incentive I need.”

Did he say one thousand dollars?

“Okay,” I said, after clearing my throat so I could talk, “that explains why you're so eager for me to do whatever this is, but what’s the emergency?” I narrowed my eyes, already suspicious that I knew who we were talking about.

“It was your walk-in from yesterday. Jal Lindstrom.”

“Oh, no.” Shaking my head, I lifted my hands. I had a feeling that guy had been up to something. So intent on not doing whatever it was that Jal had up his sleeve, I didn’t even see the box until Alistair shoved it under my nose.

“He left it. He has to have it – this weekend.”

At the half-mad look in Alistair’s eyes, I slowly reached up and took the jewelry box, flipping it open. I couldn’t help the gasp that spilled out of me even though I'd already known what was in the box. Light hit the stone, fracturing out as the diamond reflected it back in a million sparkling splinters. “Wow. That’s some rock,” I said. “Where was it?”

Alistair took the box back, like he wouldn't trust me until he knew I'd do it. “He left it in his overcoat, then left the coat here by accident. He was on his way to the airport when he realized it. He’s proposing to her this weekend – everything is set up, and he forgot the ring.”

Something tugged in my heart. I told myself it was pity for some poor girl who didn’t merit enough attention from her soon-to-be fiancé for him to keep up with her ring. Especially since I knew he'd been holding his coat when he was at the cash register.

It couldn't have been any other reason.

“He must really be into her for him to leave the ring here,” I muttered. Turning away from Alistair, I moved to my station. “What does any of this have to do with me?”

“He wants you to take it to him. He’s already booked a flight, first class.”

Gaping, I turned to stare at him. “He what? He can’t do that.”

“He did. I guess money talks. There’s a ride on the way, and a ticket waiting for you.” Alistair did that nervous thing with his hands again. “Please, Allie…I can’t call one of the richest, most influential men in the city and tell him that we can’t help him out on this. It could ruin me. One bad word from him…”

Well, shit.

Here came the guilt again.

Sighing, I rubbed at my forehead. Yet again, that weird feeling of being trapped and pushed and forced in directions I didn’t want to go crowded in on me.

Stop it. It’s your own doing, I told myself. I didn’t have to stay home. I chose to. I didn’t have to do this favor. If I did, it was because I wanted the money…

Not because I wanted to see him again.

“Fine. I’ll do it. As long as Tao can pick up TJ.” I held out my hand. “Give me the damn ring.”

* * *

Naturally, Tao was happy to help. I was actually a little annoyed that he couldn’t be difficult for once in our relationship and say no when I asked him for a favor. I could've told Alistair to let Mr. Lindstrom know that I had a younger brother to look after, and it would've been the truth. I wouldn't have had to feel guilty for sending someone else in my place to deliver the ring. I was sure Sonya would've been only too happy to fly to New York.

But no.

Tao had to be his usual agreeable self and tell me to enjoy a day off where I'd earn far more than I ever could if I stayed at the salon.

And that was how I found myself being escorted to an airplane by airline personnel as if I was some celebrity, or some rich man’s wife.

Or maybe his dirty little secret.

The thought that people might think I was some big-shot's mistress irked me more than anything else that'd happened. I wasn't that woman. I'd never let some man keep me hidden away like something to be ashamed of, and I'd sure as hell not fool around with a married man. Okay, so the engagement ring said Jal wasn't actually married yet, but it was the perception of things that had my stomach churning.

By the time I boarded the plane, I was in a dark mood, tucking myself into the first class seat I’d been assigned. When the airline attendant offered me wine, I asked how much, managing not to gape when she told me it was free. I asked for rum and coke instead. It was too early to drink, but right then, I didn’t care.

Jal Lindstrom hadn't struck me as the kind of guy who’d leave an engagement ring behind by accident. He didn't look like a man who ever did anything by accident. I was sure his life was carefully planned and controlled, down to the last detail.

Once we were in the air and I could retrieve my purse from where I'd tucked it between my feet, I pulled out the box, wanting to study the ring a little more closely. Heaven knew I'd never get this close to something like this again.

It was big and sparkly, beautiful and elegant without being ostentatious. Not surprising, really. Jal had struck me as the sort of guy who wouldn’t worry about showy displays to impress others. He simply did it by existing. By that slow smile and the way he walked, the way he held himself. Everything about him breathed money. Money he'd been born into as well as earned.

I knew the type.

I avoided the type.

And now I was flying in luxury on a ticket he paid for to return a ring to him…so he could propose to the sort of woman who would look at this ring as being no less than what she deserved.

Snapping the box closed, I started to put it away, but the attendant appeared at my side, drink in hand.

“Thank you.” I smiled at her and settled back, still holding the box.

I clutched it tighter as I sipped at my drink and stared out the window. After I called Tao earlier, I’d called my mother’s work and had one of the women there take a message since the company didn't have a TTY machine. In a way, it'd been a relief not having to deal with her reaction right away. I knew I’d be in for an interrogation once I got home, but as long as she knew TJ was taken care of, she wouldn't be too mad.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I was starting to get a headache. Even though she trusted Tao with TJ, I knew Mom wouldn’t be happy that I'd gone off to New York, even if it wasn't some fun little trip rather than business.

And it was business. Strictly business.

I wasn’t going there for a tryst with Jal, no matter how much I'd enjoyed his flirtations. Or his eyes. Or his smile. Or his long fingers.

Stop it!

Mentally kicking myself for even thinking about a customer that way, I lifted the glass to my lips, took another sip. Just business. I’d get a nice, fat bonus for doing nothing but relaxing in first class. I’d been assured I’d have a hotel room available if I chose not to fly straight back tonight, and my meals would all be covered. I planned on flying straight back, but basically, I was getting paid to be a gopher, and getting paid well.

It could've been worse.

* * *

It was a short flight, but that didn’t keep me from ordering a second rum and coke, or enjoying the excellent snacks they offered first class passengers. The brownie brittle was something I could get addicted to. When I told the attendant, she rolled her eyes and said, “Tell me about it. Sometimes, it’s all I can do not to eat five or six bags.”

After she left, I absently flipped open the jewelry box I still hadn’t put away.

I didn't know what drove me to do it, but I found myself sliding the ring onto my finger. Just to see what it looked like.

The lights hit it, flashing up at me. “It’s a miracle people don’t go blind wearing bling like this,” I muttered. Someone with a real job couldn't wear something like this. It'd be a safety hazard for sure.

Still, I wondered what it would be like, having a man go down on bended knee and offer me a ring like this. To have a man love me that much.

“Wow. I didn’t see that earlier. Congratulations.”

I blinked, looking up at the attendant.

“I take it you’re still getting used to it?”

Oh, shit…she thought the ring was mine.

Well, no shit, moron! You’re wearing it!

My face flamed. “Um, yeah. Very much so.” I gave her a nervous smile. “I had no idea it was coming, you know? Just surprised the hell out of me.”

“That’s so sweet.”

The genuine smile on her face made me feel even worse than I already did, and I hurriedly passed her my trash, relieved when a voice announced that we were beginning our initial descent. Soon we wouldn’t be able to chat, and I could put this all behind me.

I waited until everybody was told to put their tables up and the attendant was off to make sure everyone complied before I went to take the ring off. I didn’t want her to see.

Tugging at the ring, I told myself I deserved to feel bad for being so juvenile. What sort of woman tried on another woman's engagement ring?

And it wasn't budging.

Oh, shit!

Shit!

All throughout the descent and the slow, tedious trip up to the gate, I tugged and twisted on the ring. Tears burned my eyelids, and I only kept them back by telling myself that if I made a scene, people would know how incredibly stupid I'd been. Finally, I made myself stop. My finger was swollen, getting sore now and the more I kept it up, the harder it would be.

What would my mother do?

Smack me for being so stupid. That made me smile a little, and that helped me start to calm down. I needed to think instead of panicking. If my finger was swelling, I needed to get the swelling down. Having an active and accident-prone little brother had taught me that cold brought down swelling. I didn't have access to ice or anything like that – unless I wanted to ask an attendant if there was any I could have – so I needed to figure out the next-best thing.

Water. That might help ease the ring off too.

Having a plan in mind helped me settle down, and I disembarked with a placid smile for the airline attendant, then made a beeline for the nearest bathroom, ignoring the sign with my name plastered on it. At least I wouldn't have to try to explain needing a bathroom after getting off a plane.

Inside the restroom, I held my hand under the water, making it as cold as I could get it.

“Getting cold feet, huh?”

Looking over, I saw a cute brunette with pink hair eying me. “Ah…yeah. Damn straight.”

“Try using soap. It'll work better than just water.”

“Thanks.” I reached for some soap and slicked it over my finger and the ring. When it came off with ridiculous ease, I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned to thank her again, but she was already gone.

I dried the ring off, examining it closely to make sure there wasn't any soap residue on the shiny surfaces. Then I returned it to the box and secured it in my purse. I took a deep breath, gave myself a look in the mirror to ensure I didn't look as frazzled as I felt, then exited the restroom.

I adjusted Jal's coat over my arm and walked straight toward the man holding the sign with my name. “Hello. I'm Allie Dodds.”