“Go ahead. Open it,” Whittaker said.
If I made a big stink about this, we would only draw more attention. And right now, the one person who really didn't need to see this was hidden from view.
“God, Reed, what's the hesitation?” Kiran asked. “It's jewelry.”
'You're giving her jewelry?" Josh asked, looking annoyed.
“It's not a big deal,” Whittaker said. “Just open it, Reed.”
I sm
iled at Whittaker, embarrassed for both of us, and took the box. I quickly lifted the lid and removed the small black velvet box inside. My hands trembled as I struggled to crack it open. Finally it popped wide with a creak, startling me. The whole thing almost slipped out of my fingers, but I caught it just in time.
“Holy crap,” I blurted.
Everyone laughed. Sitting against the black satin were two large, square diamonds. Earrings. More expensive than anything I had ever owned, or would ever own, in my lifetime probably. Taylor and Kiran both stood on their toes to see into the box. London and Vienna both knelt on their chairs and turned around, nearly knocking each other over to get a look.
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“What the hell?” London blurted, earning an admonishing whack from Vienna. London dropped back into her chair and sulked.
“Wow. Nice choice, Whit,” Kiran said. “You have a good eye.”
Whittaker beamed at the praise. “I was in town for dinner with my grandmother last night and I saw them in a shop window and I just knew you had to have them,” he said. “What do you think? Do you like them?”
Diamond earrings. My very own diamond earrings. All the other girls at the table had similar pairs. Whenever they wore them I tried not to stare, not to covet. But now I had my own. I had no idea what to say. Except why, why, why was he giving these to me?
“They're . . . they're gorgeous,” I told him. Then I screwed up every ounce of strength in my soul to add, “But I can't accept them.”
“Sure you can,” Whittaker said, without missing a beat.
“They're too much,” I said.
“Reed,” Noelle said through her teeth. “Don't be rude.”
I glanced around at the girls. They were all giving me the same admonishing look. Was that what I would be doing if I didn't take these earrings that probably could have paid for my entire tuition? If I got him back that money so that he wouldn't be wasting it on someone who was not now, nor would ever be, attracted to him? If I refused to lead him on, would that be rude in their world?
From the death glares I was currently fielding, apparently so.
I looked up at Whit. He looked so hopeful and happy. The last
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thing I wanted to do was humiliate him in front of everyone. And besides, Constance would be re-?emerging from the lunch line at any second. I couldn't let her see this. Unless I wanted to crush her.
“Thank you, Whit. This was really . . . sweet of you,” I said finally. I closed the box and placed it back inside the larger one.
“It was my pleasure,” he said with a self-?satisfied grin.
Then he glanced over my shoulder. “Oh! There's Mrs. Solerno. I haven't seen her yet. My grandmother would kill me if I didn't say hello.”
Who was this grandmother? And how could I get her to stop taking him into town and letting him blow his wad on ill-?advised gifts?
“I'll be right back,” he said.
Then he squeezed my shoulder and walked off.
“Wow. I guess Whit really likes you,” Ariana said the second he was gone.