Page 46 of The Exit Strategy

“Solved two problems with one ring.” She leans over Cole to speak to me. “Don’t worry if you can’t get it off. It was always meant for you anyway.” Then she weasels her way out of Cole’s hold, manages to hook arms with me, and drags me away from him before anyone can say anything else.

“Heard about the engagement,”Katie says while taking her third cup of lemonade and immediately spiking it with a half nip of vodka.

She’s on a mission to pilfer secrets I can’t afford to share, but I’m starting to become concerned about her drinking habits. I can’t tell if she uses it as a social crutch or if it’s a problem. The thing is, I never actuallyseeher drink, she’s always just…holding it.

I try to remove the diamond ring while she stares at me. It doesn’t budge. Again. I’ve tried everything from ice to dish soap to no avail.

“Katie,” I growl.

“As your best friend, I should’ve been your first call.”

My best… She’s high. She must be.

“But I’ll excuse it because of the festival and all, as long as I get to be your maid of honor. Plus, it did put that shysterLola in her place. She’s been trying to get in Cole’s pants since the minute he showed up here.”

I snap my rebuttal back but keep tugging on the ring.

“Katie, stop badgering her.” My body locks up at the sound of Cole’s deep voice coming from behind the tent.

How long has he been listening?

“Congrats to you too, I suppose?” Katie grumbles. “If you’d given us a heads-up, we could’ve at least made it special for her.”

“Jesus Christ. How did this spiral so fast?” he snaps.

I shrug as if he’s speaking to me, but he’s the one who went along with it. I’m still over here nearly breaking fingers to get this damn ring off.

“Go ahead, take a break,” Nana Mae says.

She explained why she did what she did but has no explanation for Cole going along with it other than Lola is relentless and he saw an opportunity to get her to back off.

Just what a girl always wanted to hear—I’m an opportunity.

“I’m fine,” I say, pouring more lemonade into plastic cups.

“Viper, please.” I don’t know if it’s the way Cole saysViperorpleasethat has me putting the pitcher down, but I do.

“I’ll be back in five minutes,” I tell Nana Mae.

“No need, dear. I’m closing up soon. Time to head over to the pie eating contest. Stanley’s been practicing all year, so I promised to support him.”

Great. At least I still have work to use as an excuse.

I slip out the back of the tent and Cole holds out his hand as though I should walk with him.

I do. All the way back to his house, beyond the garage, and to a tree swing that overlooks the ocean.

I don’t remember seeing this down here before. Is this another kindness he performed under the cover of darkness?

He holds it steady, as though he expects me to jump on like I’m a ten-year-old.

Instead, I walk to the edge of the water, kick off my sandals, and sink my toes in. Moments later, he follows, coming to stand beside me with his jaw set and his shoulders squared.

Great. Another fight.

“I apologize for using you to get away from Lola. She doesn’t take no for an answer, and when I saw that ring on your hand, I—” His chin drops to his chest. “I’m sorry.” He nudges me with his elbow, then slips me a small tube of Aquaphor. “This might help get it off.”

Doubtful. So far, olive oil, coconut oil, dish soap, ice water, and something called beef tallow that Nana Mae gave me haven’t worked.