Dora's hand is quivering when I take it in mine. I lead her from her studio down the hall and upstairs to the bedroom. I try to leave her at the bed, but she holds on to my hand like I might just vanish if she lets go. "I need this." I smile. "Oh!" she giggles, releasing her grip on me. I know her heart is racing right now, and her body is tingling all over like it always does when she gets nervous, but I'm feeling like there's a tropical storm raging within me as I go to the walk-in and retrieve the ring from the safe where I've been keeping it. I've given Dora diamonds before. Hell, I gave her a bunch when she moved in with me. But this ring...this ring is special. I keep it hidden behind my back as I return to her. She's done something to try and make her hair less messy in the mean

