If only he knew the real me, he wouldn’t think I’m a good person at all. His big eyes loom overhead, but all I can see is how recklessly I had thrust my bejeweled hand out in front of me that boozed-up spring night, snapped a photo, and changed the course of my life forever. The yacht lurches again. I need to tell Blake how seasick I am. I can’t hide this from him, no matter how sentimental and stunning this moment is supposed to be.

“Blake, I—”

I reach out to clutch his arm, hoping to steady myself. But my hand falls short because he’s digging in his pocket and sinking down onto one knee.

“Eliza Roth, will you marry me?” he asks, voice glittering with hope.

My hand flies to my mouth, not in shock, but out of caution, in case I lose the battle with my stomach. He opens one of the black velvet boxes I’ve sold hundreds of times to reveal the three-carat, round-cut diamond ring I had carelessly chosen months ago. It glints harshly in the sunlight. The first thought that springs to mind is, It’s not too late to say no. Maybe for the first time since I got myself into this whole mess, that truly sinks in. I could say no. I could reject his proposal. I like Blake; I might even love him someday. But I don’t feel the kind of unshakable love in my core that I always expected I’d feel upon my engagement. I don’t love Blake in the unquestioning way he claims to love me. If I were a different sort of person, that would settle the matter—that would be enough to make me walk away. I’d have to be scrappier, savvier, smarter, and maybe I’d lose Brooklyn Jewels for good. True love isn’t certain, but I’m certain this isn’t it.

Click. I hear what must be a photographer snapping away, and I’m reminded what drew me to Blake in the first place: he’s picture perfect for me. He makes sense for me. I like him. Even if my feelings aren’t as strong as I’d hoped, I’m pretty sure I can learn to love him. All good things take time—we just need more of it.

“Yes,” I say, surprising myself with the strength of my own voice. “Yes, of course, yes.”