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“Well, congratulations. Let me show you our rings.”

“My mom likes diamonds,” Mya adds.

“Well, then she’ll love these over here.” The woman points to a select area.

We trail behind her and stop at a glass counter, where she makes her way around to the other side.

“That one is gorgeous,” I say, leaning over the glass.

“Which one,” Trig questions.

I point to it, and then let my eyes bounce around to the different styles. I still keep drifting back to that one ring. It’s a three-stone princess cut diamond ring that has me sold already.

“I really like that one, baby,” I say.

“Get it then,” Trig responds.

“Would you like to try it on first?” the sales clerk asks me.

“Yeah. Can I ask the price first?”

She reaches in and grabs the ring. I hold my breath while she pulls the little white tag out from inside it. Oh how the tides have changed. I used to spend money like nothing when I escorted, and now I find myself watching how we spend our income. This is family life though.

“This one is eight thousand.”

She hands it to me, and I slide it on my finger. It’s a little loose, but damn, it’s pretty.

I look at Trig and I expect him to make a comment about the price, but he doesn’t.

“Ring it up,” he says instead.

“Did you not hear the price?” I whisper, as I take it off and hand it back to the woman.

He ignores me and stares at the sales clerk.

“Would this be all?” she says to him, completely ignoring me.

I feel like I’m not even here now. What is happening?

“I like this men’s band, but I’ll be back closer to the wedding date to get it.”

I lean into Trig. “Eight grand! That ring is really expensive.”

We make good money, but not even I’m comfortable spending that much on jewelry.

“Do you like it?” he questions.

“I love it.”

“Then don’t worry about it.”

He turns to the woman, and they start talking about some upcoming sales that are happening in the next few weeks, and how the band he wants will be half off then. I turn to Mya.

“I think Daddy has lost his mind.”

“Maybe that’s what love does to men,” Mya says and looks away.

I chuckle and grab her hand.

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