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Her joke was lost on him, which was something that he should not have allowed to happen, but in his weakened mental state Gabriel could not begin to think that this teasing was something of a good thing. He blinked a few times, feeling his face grow hot as he spotted the ring box in her hands. It had been hidden in a much better place than his drawer, for he'd known his wife well enough to know that come the holidays there was to be a bit of snooping going about. After the accident Gabriel had nearly presented it to her in a desperate need to make her feel better, but then the idea of something as extravagant as the diamond ring he'd ordered months ago might send her fleeing had struck, and he slipped it into the drawer. You most certainly did not buy a present like that for simply anyone.

His lover. Gabriel had never put Rachel in that light and it bothered him that she'd worded her comment that way. The seemingly casual comment felt unnatural, but she looked like she meant it to be funny. It was confusing---his Rachel would never bring up even the slightest idea of a mistress, she grew silently enraged whenever he brought up Greta Catchlove's mere existence or listened in on stories of girlfriend's past. Her refusal to acknowledge her jealousy was something he not so secretly adored and even craved. Knowing that Rachel could grow so fiercely possessive of him made his heart pound through his chest.

Maybe he was over thinking it. Maybe she was just trying to be nice for spoiling the surprise. Gabriel stepped further into the room, moving to sit on the end of the bed to remove his shoes.

"I meant to give it to you on Valentine's day," he said with a light smile. Gabriel pushed his shoes under the bed. He rubbed his neck, feeling sore all over now that he was sitting. "Do you like it?"