Read Fallen for Her: Book 2 for Free Online Page A

knew his ego had suffered the ultimate blow, being refused in public.  Whispering back, Bob pled with her, “For God’s sake, don’t embarrass me.  Not here, like this.”  
     
    Ella blushed and looked down at the ring on her finger.  There was nothing more to say.  He wanted to play out the little charade and she saved face for him. 
     
     
    He finished his meal and rose from the table.  As they walked to the coat check, several employees at The Club asked to see Ella’s new ring.  She held her hand out and they made the appropriate comments. Ella caught the enormous ring on her cashmere wrap and untangled it.  She had no idea how she could live with this massive ring on her finger.  It wasn’t sensible.  She was a gardener and wanted a low-profile diamond, if any at all.  Although they’d only window shopped once, she remembered specifically telling him that.  It was obvious that Bob knew nothing about what she wanted.  The diamond was more of a statement about him than her.  She would wear it home to save face for him at the club, but decided to refuse it once she got home.
     
    Walking home with Bob became an interrogation session. 
     
    “So, how do you like the ring?  You’ve been awfully quiet since it’s been on your finger.” Bob asked her.
     
    “It’s lovely, Bob.  I can only imagine how much you paid for it.” Ella murmured.  She couldn’t tell him her true feelings.  It was a monstrosity, something a real housewife on a bad television show would wear.  Not Ella’s style at all.  But it wasn’t just the ring she couldn’t accept, it was Bob’s proposal.  “I can’t accept this, Bob.” 
     
    “Well, if you must know I spent half of my bonus on that ring.” This was Bob’s way of telling her how much he cared:  the price tag.
     
    “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you inside The Club.  It was too…public.” Ella said.
     
    “Okay,” Bob recovered, “You can tell me now.  When do you want to set the date for the wedding?” 
     
    “I don’t want the ring and I am not planning a wedding.  I need time to heal right now. I am getting over the sudden loss of my father.  I’ve been very emotional lately.  You’ve not been here to notice.”  With tears in her eyes, Ella felt she was pointing out the obvious.  But she always felt that way with Bob.  This was the dance they did, over and over and over.  “I’m sorry, Bob.  You may have to exercise a little bit of patience.” 
     
    “Right.  You want me to be patient.  Got it.”  Bob was trying to appease her. 
     
    “Let’s just go home and change the subject for tonight.” Ella suggested.  She was truly exhausted with the whole discussion.
     
    But Bob wasn’t done with the subject.  An imposing figure at six-foot four, he stopped on the path and stood in front of Ella.  As his hands grasped her shoulders he put his face close to hers, “We’re getting married and that’s final.  I don’t want to change the subject.  This is the subject, damn it.   I love you, Ella.  You’re the one who’s got to be more reasonable.  What’s up with you lately?  Everything I do seems to be wrong.”
     
    She couldn’t withstand the intense glare of his blue eyes.  Her eyes dropped to his suit and she felt his grasp loosen.  She knew he felt defeated and he did not deal with that emotion well.  “Please, Bob, can we just go home?” 
     
    He grasped her hand, “You love me, right honey?” 
     
    Automatically, Ella muttered, “Of course I do.”  For a moment, Bob was silent. 
     
    “I’ll contact The Club tomorrow, honey….you do want to get married there, right?” He was like a dog with a bone.  He would not give up. 
     
    “Let’s talk about it tomorrow, Bob.” Ella murmured.  And they continued walking.  Finally he seemed to acquiesce.  There was a moment of silence as their feet stirred in the dried fallen leaves on the path. 
     
    “So, what did the attorney say