My latest Dair story is inspired by one of my favorite books, I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. This is more lighthearted than my other Dair stories which I hope you all enjoy. I wrote it in a similar style to the way the book is written which is first person almost as though you're hearing Blair's stream of consciousness. Thanks for reading! :)

I cannot believe I fucking lost it. The most precious item I have ever been given in my whole entire life (and let me tell you, I've been given some really unbelievable gifts in my 29 years) and it's gone.

It all started at my bridal shower brunch. I always knew that fucking incompetent Penelope would fuck up my life. I just knew it.

So it was my bridal shower brunch at the Lotte New York Palace and I was surrounded by all my bridesmaids. After having about 4 mimosas, I was feeling rather generous towards my sadly single maids so after being asked for the millionth time if they could try on my ring, I said yes. Yes, I know, big mistake. Who would ever let Penelope Shafai try on their engagement ring?!

The ring made it's way around the table, starting with Serena, my maid of honor and life-long best friend trying it on first. The last person to wear the ring? Penelope. My wedding planner, Lucinda, had tried on the ring and then passed it to Penelope. As Penelope tried on the ring, my phone started ringing so not wanting to be rude, I went over to the corner of the restaurant to take the call. As I debated between napkin rings with my future mother-in-law, the fire alarm went off. Chaos ensued.

All of a sudden, everyone was fleeing the restaurant in a mad panic. I hung up the phone quickly and rushed back to my table only to find them all gone. I remained calm, telling myself they were probably just outside. The panic didn't quite set in until I looked outside and couldn't see any of them. I began calling Serena who said they had taken the back north exit out of the restaurant, opposite from me.

20 minutes later, I finally managed to track them down. I quickly proffered my hand to Penelope for her to return my ring but she claimed she didn't have the ring. What. The. Fuck. Then that's when the panic set in.

So here I am, 2 hours later still scouring for the ring. Brunch ended long ago (due to the fire alarm scare) and the restaurant closed for the rest of the day. There wasn't actually a fire but the alarm had set off such a chaos they couldn't resume service. I have searched under every single table and across every single surface to no avail. I've even given my phone number to every staff member of the restaurant in case they happen upon it.

I'm finally realizing the ring is probably not in this room so I'm heading to find someone in charge. I locate a remaining staff member and inform them of my dilemma and receive very little help. They tell me to head to the concierge who will be able to help me.

"You don't understand, this is a very valuable ring. I can offer a reward, a very handsome reward." I am barking at the concierge who clearly doesn't get just how important this is. I mean, should I drop in that the ring just so happens to have been given to me by a British Lord? No, because that means Marcus might find out I lost it which I cannot have happen.

"Miss, we understand how valuable your engagement ring must be. But sadly, we have not had a ring turned in. We are more than happy to take down your information and call you if any information becomes available. But as for offering a reward, that is just not something we can do."

"I've already given numerous staff members my information!" I hiss at the middle-aged concierge man. He seems nonplussed by my attitude.

"I understand that miss but it would be useful for the concierge to have your information, as well as lost items, are frequently returned to us."

I scoff but decide to write down my information anyways. I'll phone up the NYPD next and see if they can get some action taken. After scribbling down my cell phone number, I step out the doors of the hotel and onto the street to get some perspective. I began a Google search on my iPhone, What to do if you lost your engagement ring. As I'm scrolling through the results, I suddenly feel a gust of wind and then… No! My phone!

I'm running down the street, in my Manolos, trying to stop the guy in a hoodie on the bike who just snatched my phone. He darts between a group of people and quickly rounds the corner. I scurry up and peer around the corner to see that he's gone. Completely out of sight.

My phone which houses the number I just gave out to nearly 50 people is gone. Fuck.

I am now completely phoneless and uncertain of what to do. I head back into the hotel lobby and pace back and forth thinking. As I stop to think for a second, I hear a faint buzzing sound. What is that? I peer into the gold trash bin and see a phone sitting right on top of a crinkled newspaper.

I gingerly reach for the phone and survey the lit up screen which displays "Dan Cell" on the screen. Well if it's taking calls why did someone just throw it away?

Did that thief who take mine previously lift this one, an iPhone 6, then see my iPhone 7 and decide, well this one is trash and chuck it? No, probably not.

Anyways, it's a phone. Exactly what I needed. I retrieve my hand sanitizer from my purse and slather the phone in it and wipe it down with a napkin from the bar. Good as new!

I go into Contacts and survey the information, apparently, the phone belonged to Violet Curtis, whoever that is. I scribble down the number of the phone on a new bar napkin and head back towards the concierge.

"Hi, me again. You may recall I lost a very precious engagement ring."

"Yes miss, I remember you. I sadly do not have any new information for you."

"Right. Well, I gave you my phone number but that one actually is inactive now." I watch his previously blank expression turn quizzical. "Here's my new number." I hand him the napkin.

"Please make sure no one tries to reach the other number, they won't get through to me. Only call this number." I continue, ignoring his questioning eyes.

He takes the napkin from me and nods simultaneously wiping his face of any recognizable expression. "Okay miss, thank you, I will update our records."

I stride off and take a seat at a chair in the lobby. Time to form a plan. I open up the Notes app on my new phone and start typing:

1. Find ring. (I quickly strike through this one.)

2. Find way to cover ring finger so Marcus doesn't notice missing ring.

3. Contact NYPD and possibly hire private investigator to find ring.

4. Blackmail Penelope with incriminating video to get her to fess up to stealing ring.

5. Safely slide ring back on finger and resume happy engagement.

Okay so I thought that would help but I'm still feeling really anxious. The continuous buzzing of the phone doesn't help. Dan Cell is calling for the fifteenth time. I decide it's time to take action and stop these calls.

"Hello?"

"Violet, where the fuck are you?"

"This isn't Violet," I state flatly. "Violet doesn't own this phone anymore."

"What do you mean, Violet doesn't own this phone anymore?" His tone is incredulous. "Who is this?"

"The new owner of this iPhone 6 that was deposited in the trash. So please stop calling me."

"This is a company phone. You can't just take it." This Dan guy really has some nerve.

"Well, your company should take more care in handing out phones. Maybe give them out only to the employees who aren't liable to chuck it in the trash?"

"I agree. Unfortunately, said employee was well connected and able to secure a position she was not qualified nor competent at."

"Great, so we're in accordance? The phone is now mine so thank you."

"No!" His sharp tone returns. "Please return this phone immediately. Are you still in the hotel?"

"Perhaps. But it doesn't matter since I'm not returning the phone." This conversation is completely exhausting me and I'm contemplating returning it when I hear his voice echo. I swivel around, confused.

There, just descending the stairs is a guy who's holding a phone to his ear. He has dark, curly hair which falls around his forehead in an unruly manner. In contrast, he has sharp cheekbones which I can spot even from across the hotel. His dark eyes lock on mine and I know I'm caught.

I hurry towards the nearest door which is a rotating one which currently is occupied by guests exiting with a few suitcases. Fuck. I turn to go to the other exit with normal doors when my arm is grabbed.

"Stop. Give me the phone." The dark haired guy, Dan, I suppose has grabbed me by the arm.

"I told you, it's mine now. If money is an issue, I will gladly reimburse you."

"Money isn't an issue." He says curtly, then adds, "Wait if money isn't an issue for you why don't you just go buy a new phone? There's an Apple store 2 blocks down."

"Because I need this phone." Is he that dim?

"Why do you need this phone?" He sounds exasperated as he asks.

"Because I've already given this number out and I'm awaiting a very vital call."

He seems even more confused now. So I decide to explain, "Look, I desperately need this phone. I lost my engagement ring just a few hours ago. While I was trying to track it down, my phone was stolen. But the hotel needs a number to contact so I gave this one once I found this phone. My ring is very valuable and is a family heirloom which is irreplaceable. Hence my need of a valid number they can contact."

"How about if they call, I'll call you and let you know? We can go to the Apple store together. You can get your new number which you'll give to me and you won't even need this one anymore."

I contemplate for a moment and then shake my head. "No, that would be relying on you too much. I only trust myself to track down this ring so no deal. I appreciate the offer though. Now, I really must be going. I need to file a police report." I start towards the door but he grabs my arm again. I turn and glare.

"Wait, I need the phone. Not just because it's a company phone. I need the emails, texts, and calls the phone receives. Without them, I can't do my job."

"Easy, I'll forward you everything. Every time there's a call, I'll relay the message, text, I'll screenshot and send, email, I'll forward on. You won't miss a thing."

I think I've finally worn him down. He runs a hand across his face and then says at last, "Fine. 1 day. I will give you 1 day with the phone but then we meet and you give it back."

"2 weeks." I counter quickly.

"3 days."

"3 days? How generous. 2 weeks."

He sighs in frustration, "1 week and that's my final offer."

I laugh a little, "Your final offer? You act like you have control of the phone. I wiggle the phone at him. "But deal."

Dan rolls his eyes and then proffers his hand. I shake it perfunctorily, nod, and then stride out of the hotel.