Page 135 of Drive
The force of Holi’s gaze made her feel like a butterfly specimen under glass. She shook off Holi’s hand. “Okay, whatever. Enough about me,” she said, wanting to move the attention off her. “What were you about to say? What do you wish you could have for your weddingday?’
Holi sat back, looking contemplative. “It’s not really for me. It’s forAsh.”
“What?” Raineypressed.
“I want—” Holi bit her lip. “—I want to surprise him withsomething.”
Rainey felt herself smile. “Tell me. Maybe I canhelp.”
Holi drew up her knees onto the couch and turned to face Rainey. “Well, you know what we always say to eachother?”
Rainey bit her lip to keep from giggling. “You mean when he says, ‘I love you, Holiday,’ and yousay—”
“‘I love you back, every night and every day,’” she finished, blushing now. “Yeah,that.”
Rainey let herself giggle then. “What aboutit?”
The wistful look returned to Holi’s eyes. “I wish I could put that inside his wedding band.” Then she shrugged. “Not the whole thing, but maybe just the ‘every night and everyday.”
“Oh, my God!” Rainey crowed. “That’s sosweet!”
For the first time, Holi looked doubtful. Rainey couldn’t remember the last time she saw her sister looking doubtful. “You thinkso?”
“Of course!” she shouted. “He’ll loveit!
Relief stole over Holi’s features, but she quickly bit her lip again, looking hesitant. “I know it’s asking a lot, but could you help me doit?”
Rainey gripped her sister’s hand. “Holi, of course I’ll help you do it. I’ll take it to a jeweler’s today. Surely they’ll be able to have it ready bySaturday.”
“Thank you, Rainey,” Holi said, her eyes softening with emotion. “This means a lot tome.”
Rainey wanted to tell Holi that she’d do anything for her, but she knew they’d both end up in tears if she went there, so instead she kept her wordspractical.
“Where’s thering?”
Rainey helped Holi up the stairs and to her room. When she took the black velvet box from her dresser, Holi hesitated again before handing it toRainey.
“Are you sure you don’t mind? Even if you go to Buttross Jewelers, you’d have to wait for the bus both ways,” she said, wincing. “It would take like anhour.”
Rainey snatched the box from her. “I don’t mind setting off on a romantic mission for my sister,” she said smirking with mischief. “Besides, maybe I’ll walk there and catch the bus on the wayback.”
Holi tried to protest. “Rainey—”
“It’s like a mile and a half. I’ll probably beat thebus.”
Holi sat on the edge of her bed. “I hate being sick. I’m too tired to argue withyou.”
Rainey tossed her head back with a laugh. “Then don’t argue with me and get some rest. I’ll be back before you knowit.”
Ring box in hand, Rainey left her sister to rest and headed downstairs. She stopped at the hall tree that stood by the door to collect her purse and sunglasses. The walk would be sunny and warm, so she didn’t want to carry more than was necessary. Just her phone and herwallet.
When she turned to the door, her eye fell on the brass, wall-mounted key rack. Rainey stopped and stared. Holi’s car keys hung next to her housekeys.
Rainey stood perfectly still. The hairs on the back of her neck and down her arms rose. A pulse of energy moved down her spine all the way to her heels. Her feet feltgrounded.
Not stuck. Butsteady.
No one else was around. No one would know if she tried andfailed.
