Chapter 5
Before they leave the chapel, Avery takes Jacob’s hand in his. He reaches into his pocket, extracts his ring, and slips it onto Jacob’s finger again. “You lost this,” he says.
Jacob’s eyes fill with fresh tears. He wipes at them roughly with the sleeve of his blazer. “Maybe I shouldn’t…”
Avery looks at him sharply. His blood runs cold at the halfhearted protest. “Shouldn’t what?”
Jacob shrugs. “If I have to leave, you’ll want it back.” He doesn’t meet Avery’s eyes. Instead, he looks at the ring, his chin trembling as if he doesn’t want to cry anymore. “I don’t think I can do that, Avery. I don’t think I have it in me to give it back to you. I’d rather…” He presses his lips together and covers his eyes with one hand. “I’m not that strong.”
“I’m not asking for it back,” Avery
