A laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
"That's your explanation?"
"It's the truth."
"You spent twenty minutes rejecting diamonds."
"They were ridiculous."
"They were engagement rings."
"They were oversized engagement rings."
Elena shook her head.
"You realize most women would disagree with you."
"Most women aren't the ones wearing them."
The answer came so naturally that neither of them immediately registered it.
Then silence filled the car.
Elena's amusement faded slightly.
Alaric's expression became unreadable.
Because what he had just said implied something neither of them had expected.
That he had been thinking about her.
Not the wedding.
Not appearances.
Her.
The realization lingered in the air between them.
Alaric cleared his throat.
"It seemed impractical."
His voice was noticeably more controlled now.
Elena looked away toward the window, hiding the small smile threatening to appear.
"Of course."
"Glad you understand."
"I don't."
