Van

“Mr. Sherman,” Mrs. McGrath said, luring me closer.

Julia’s mother’s eyes widened at the sight of the diamond on Julia’s finger. Her gaze went from the ring to me and back to Julia. As she inhaled, I imagined her response may be different if we weren’t surrounded. Seeing as how the crowd around her was enthralled by her every word, whatever she was about to say was for them, not truly for Julia and me.

She clasped ...