Read Online A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection by Annette Lyon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Josi S. Kilpack, Heather Justesen, Aubrey Mace - Free Book Online

it with a creak. Inside lay a thin gold chain with a heart pendant, a diamond glittering at the center point. Gently, she lifted the necklace from its box, unlatched it, and moved toward the mirror so she could put it on easier. With the clasp done up, she smoothed the necklace with her fingers and tilted her head.
    “Perfect,” she whispered, although she felt silly talking to herself.
    The necklace was pretty, no question. She hadn’t worn it since Valentine’s Day, when James gave it to her. For the last two months, the box had sat in her underwear drawer, covered by a pair of fuzzy pink socks so that when she got dressed each morning, she didn’t have to look at it. James had created the ideal romantic evening—dinner at a French restaurant and a stroll through a park, during which he slipped his jacket over her shoulders in true gentlemanly fashion. A full moon. It was all so ideal, she’d assumed that when he sat beside her on a park bench and pulled out a jewelry box that it would contain not a necklace, but a ring.
    They’d been dating for nearly three years, since he began law school. I can’t even think about a future—about marriage yet, he’d said more than once. But after I graduate... And then his eyes always got that dreamy quality, and she couldn’t help but imagine their life together then.
    She’d understood that law school would be a hard time, what with all the long hours of studying and tests and writing. He’d even edited the law review, a high honor, and something that would look fantastic on a résumé.
    But after I graduate, everything will change, he’d assured her . I’ll be able to focus on other things. Like us.
    Even now as she stood before the mirror, she remembered the goose bumps that had broken over her arms and down her back the first time he’d made that promise. Us. Everything would change now; graduation was two days ago.
    I suppose it was silly of me to think he’d propose on Valentine’s, she thought wryly as she took a step back to look at her reflection one more time. I shouldn’t have gotten upset over this necklace. He’s always said after graduation.
    Tess was rather pleased with herself for getting over the disappointment of that night, of no longer hating the sight of the box, and, most importantly, for wearing the necklace tonight. It was the first time she’d worn it since he’d given it to her.
    Tonight, everything would change. The law school graduation ceremony was over. James’s parents had planned a party to celebrate his achievement and “something else,” as he’d put it over the phone yesterday. He wouldn’t say what the “something else” was, but when she’d prodded and asked specific questions, he’d admitted that it had something to do with the future.
    Which could only mean one thing: tonight was the night. He would pop the question. She would look perfect in her coral-pink dress, with his pendant resting on her breastbone, her hair curled and stacked just right, her lipstick matching her dress.
    My heart will pound as he kneels and asks for my hand in front of his friends and parents.
    The thought caused a flutter in her chest.
    Her phone’s alarm went off, making her start, but then she smiled. She’d gotten ready exactly on time. Even if she hit traffic, she’d reach the old art museum with plenty of time to walk around the building, find the room where the party was being held—where she would finally, finally get that ring on her finger and be promised to the one man she planned to be with for the rest of her life. As she tucked her phone into the little cream-colored purse she’d bought just for tonight, and went out to her car, she tried not to dream too much into the future. She’d done a lot of that anyway over the years. Five months into dating James, she’d known what colors she wanted for her wedding. Granted those colors had changed three times since with the fashions. And she’d picked out the perfect cake almost