`` the promise ring , '' he said , letting grace slide down to the floor . and the only way i can do that is to win another term in the congress . '' regardless , i find myself waiting for him to finish . i did n't think it would help me much here , either . or you could hit the slopes and do a little skiing . '' `` so , just like that , it 's over ? '' it was only that they were worn permanently into the floor . 