After dinner, we talk with Kenzi and Rayne about modeling some of the outfits I've designed, and they go totally wild over the idea. We also agree that Lukas and Talon will model the men’s clothing. Rayne offers to get ahold of some good-looking guys she thinks will pose for some couples shots with her and Kenzi, which I think would be cool to have on my website as well. I'm surprised the girls are single, because they are both absolutely gorgeous and very sweet.

"It's time for presents!" Gram suddenly announces, and they embark on a family tradition of everyone giving each other their presents, then taking turns as each person opens all of their gifts in front of everyone, and around the room it goes. It's fun to see everyone get their gifts—some funny like the blow-up doll that Vandal gave Mikah. I'm surprised to receive gifts from everyone, and I have to struggle to keep myself together while I open them all. Several times Talon leans forward to kiss my cheek, assuring me he understands how much being part of the family means to me.

When Talon excuses himself to use the restroom, his mom comes over and sits next to me.

"You two look so happy, I could just burst!"

"Thank you… We really are."

"You love him," she says knowingly. "I can see it all over your face. You're positively glowing."

"Maybe she's pregnant," Storm pipes up from the love seat a few feet away, getting him a smack from Evie, who mouths an apology at me.

My mouth hangs open. "I am not pregnant. I'm just happy."

"Well, a baby would be fine, too!" Aria says.

"We're not ready for that yet. But yes, I’m falling for him," I admit.

"I knew it! Dr. Hollister will be thrilled!"

"I'm pretty sure she knows."

"Who knows what?" Talon has returned, resuming his spot behind me against the stone fireplace.

"Nothing," I say quickly.

"Mom, you better not be pumping her for info about the project. You said yourself you're not allowed."

"I wasn't! I was just telling her how happy you both look. Can't I be excited that my baby is finally settling down?"

"Mom, I'm the baby, not him," Rayne says, rolling her eyes. "I'm like a redheaded stepchild in this family."

"No, honey. He's my baby boy. You're my baby girl. Don't be so dramatic."

"Whatever. Can we have dessert now?"

Aria turns back to me. "Maybe don't have kids," she says jokingly. "Or just have one."

"Mom, step away. You're gonna scare her off."

"What happened to your honeymoon?" Storm asks when Aria goes back into the kitchen to help Gram.

"The tour happened," Talon replies. "And now we're leaving again next week, so I think we're gonna skip it for now and maybe do it in the spring, right, babe?" He rubs my arms. "I don't need the fucking team to pay for it anyway. I'd rather go on our own and pay for it and not have to write a report about it. That's private, ya know? They can fuck off with that."

Storm nods in agreement. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to do that. The whole thing is sorta wacked. It worked out great, though. At least you didn't get stuck with someone you don't like for six months. That would have been an epic suckfest."

"True. We're happy, so I don't give a shit how we got here. I'll just be glad when I don't have to tell that shrink everything and document my fucking life."

"It looks like their crazy-ass experiment worked, though. You two are perfect together. Like Evie and me. We had a rough beginning, too. Maybe that's what makes it work. Being irresistible like me is a plus, too."

"I'm way more irresistible than you, man. Sorry."

Evie and I share a look and start to laugh, even though we both know it's true. They're both pretty irresistible. Neither one of us stood a chance against falling in love with them. They're like chick crack.

Chapter 32

Talon

My head feels foggy as I drive through town, and my ear feels like it has to pop. I force a yawn, hoping it will go away, but it doesn't. Aggravated, I glance at my dashboard clock, realizing I'm running late for this appointment and I have to make sure I'm back at the house to meet Max at three to leave for a short ten-day tour. Although the timing isn't great, this is one appointment I refuse to slack off on and reschedule.

I find a parking spot and jog to the door, where I press the buzzer and wait for the sound of the click of the door unlocking to let me in.

"Mr. Valentine, so nice to put a face with the voice over the phone." The owner meets me at the door and extends his hand to me.

"Likewise. Sorry I'm late; traffic was a bitch."

"It's no problem at all. Please, come into my office. I have everything waiting for you. I understand you're on a tight schedule today."

I follow Mr. Malone into his office, where he's got several black velvet pads laid out, a loupe, about ten platinum settings, and five big, loose stones sparkling under the lamps like little spotlights.

My heart pounds in my chest as I take the chair opposite him. I thought picking out a guitar or a car was hard. This is way fucking harder.

I try to focus as he explains the cut, weight, color, and clarity of each stone, letting me inspect it before we move to the next. I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly; I only know I want it to sparkle like her eyes. After staring at them for a few minutes, I pick the stone that fits her the best—a two-carat pear that looks like a tear drop. For some reason, the shape appeals to me. It gives off a raw and emotional vibe. Like her.

Like us.

The settings look mostly the same to me, except for one resembling a little tiara. The stone sits up a bit and has little yellow gold scrolls holding it up, with a tiny rose gold heart on the band. It reminds me of the tiara Pixie was wearing the first day I saw her.

"It will look like this." Mr. Malone uses tweezers to balance the stone on the setting.

"That's beautiful. It's exactly what I want. And I want the inside engraved with what I told you over the phone." On this one, I’m having “you’re my every wish” inscribed.

"Of course, Mr. Valentine. We can have it ready for you in two weeks."

"I'll need it the end of February, but I'll pick it up as soon as it's ready. I'll be out of town for about ten days, so leave me a voice mail if I don't answer."

"You made an excellent choice, Mr. Valentine."

I nod. "Yeah. I did." In so many ways.

I pay him the five thousand dollar deposit and leave with a big smile on my face, despite the annoying ringing in my ear that's come back after giving me a break for a few days. I'm going to propose to my wife like a real man when this experiment is over and whisk her off someplace secluded to have our own private ceremony and honeymoon. What Storm said on Christmas Eve has been bothering me—about being stuck with someone. Even though I'm happy we're together, I have slowly grown to hate the way Asia and I met. So much was stripped from us, and so much doubt was planted. I want her to know at the end of this experiment that I chose her, and I didn't get stuck with her and just settle. I'd choose her a hundred times, in a hundred different scenarios. My choice will always be her.

Chapter 33

Asia

Talon comes into the house like a tornado, rushing to the kitchen to grab a soda then flying upstairs to finish packing. I follow him and stand in the doorway watching him for a few minutes before I hesitantly start talking.

"I got a message from Danny early this morning. He's in town visiting some relatives, and he wants to meet for coffee. Just to talk. If you're okay with it, I'd like to go, maybe tomorrow."

"Who's Danny?" he asks distractedly, shoving his shaving kit and travel toothbrush into his suitcase.

"The guy I dated years ago."

He slams the lid of the suitcase and zips it quickly, then turns toward me, his forehead creasing. "The one who ditched you to move?”

"Yeah."

"Why the hell would you want to talk to him?"

"Because we broke up during a fight and never got to really talk again."

"So the fuck what?" His eyes scan the bedroom, making sure he's not forgetting anything in his rush to pack.

I fidget with my hair nervously, winding a few locks around my finger, surprised he's suddenly so angry. "Well, I never really got any closure or answers."

He stares at me with a dumbfounded expression. "Answers to what? He left. That's your answer."

"That's really harsh, Tal."

"That's really the truth, babe. Does he know you're married now?"

"I did mention that in my messages to him."

"Messages?" he repeats, emphasizing the s. "So you've been, like, chatting with this guy for a while now?"

"No, he messaged me today for the first time."

Sitting on the bed, he quickly kicks off his sneakers and pulls on his boots, shoving the laces inside under his feet instead of tying them. "I don't know what the hell you expect me to say or think here, Asia. I'm leaving in like ten minutes to go on a tour, you won't come with me even though Asher said it would be okay this time, and now you're telling me you want to go on a date with your ex? Who you were in love with? Because you want some kind of answers? I mean, what the fuck?"

He's pissed, and I suddenly realize he has every right to be. I don't know what the hell is going through my own head and why I thought this might be okay on any level. I just wanted a chance to hear why someone broke my heart so easily. I want to know why I didn't matter enough. I want to know why people can leave me all the time, and finally, I have someone who can give me an answer. That's all I want. Nothing else.

"It's not a date," I reply defensively. The thought of it being considered a date never even entered my mind.

He stands and grabs his suitcase and another large duffel bag. "Really? It kinda sounds that way to me. Is this why you don't want to come with me? Because of him?"