Page 58 of Captiva Book Club

“Then talk to him about it, Chelsea. You and I both know what problems arise when communication stops. You’ve got to tell him how you feel.”

Chelsea shook her head. “If I do that, he’ll try to reassure me, but that doesn’t mean things are fine between us. He could be telling me what I want to hear, which solves nothing.”

Maggie laughed. “Chelsea, do you hear yourself? Talking to the man you love about your feelings is a waste of time? If that’s true, then you don’t have the relationship you think you have.”

“What if he doesn’t feel the same way about me?” Chelsea said, sounding like a high school girl with a crush on a popular boy.

Maggie smiled. “Trust me, Chelsea. He does. Now, can we please test these scones?”

Lexi had been sleeping on the chair, but the minute she heard the word scone, she sat up.

Chelsea looked at the pup and pointed a finger.

“Forget about it. They’re not for doggies.”

They enjoyed all three scones, but both Maggie and Chelsea thought the ginger glazed mango scones were the best.

Maggie was glad she had brought the scones, as they gave her the perfect excuse to talk to Chelsea. Hearing her friend confirm what Maggie had always suspected—that she and Steven were madly in love—filled her with joy. Maggie couldn’t wait to see her best friend marry the man of her dreams.

Steven arrived at the Key Lime Garden Inn just before two, looking slightly disheveled but determined. Maggie had updated Paolo with the news of the upcoming proposal, and the two men shook hands at the news.

“Maggie and I are thrilled about this Steven. Chelsea is a wonderful woman. We wish the very best for both of you.”

“Thank you, Paolo.”

Maggie put her hand on Steven’s shoulder. “Are you ready for this?”

“I’m ready.”

Maggie led the way to her car, and they headed toward a small exclusive jeweler she knew in Sanibel. The shop was quaint, tucked away from the main streets, with a reputation for exquisite, unique pieces—just the kind of place that would have something perfect for Chelsea.

“Being an artist, Chelsea likes jewelry that is different, something no one else would have for an engagement ring,” Maggie explained.

As they entered the store, the jeweler, a charming elderly man, greeted them warmly. Maggie and Paolo had shopped there for her engagement ring and recommended them to everyone they knew.

“Maggie! It’s been too long,” he said, shaking her hand. His eyes twinkled as he turned to Steven. “And who is this?”

“Mr. Johansson, this is my friend, Steven Ellis Thompson. He is going to propose to my best friend, Chelsea. Do you remember Chelsea?”

“Oh my goodness, yes. How can I forget your sweet friend? Nice to meet you, Mr. Thompson, you are a lucky man to marry Chelsea Marsden.”

“Thank you, I think so too, that is, if she says yes.”

They all laughed, but Maggie could see Steven was a little nervous about the prospect of a rejection.

Trying to reassure him that all would go the way he wanted, Maggie said, “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s see what we can find for you.”

Mr. Johansson brought out tray after tray of rings, each more dazzling than the last. Maggie could see the wheels turning in Steven’s head, the pressure mounting. She decided to step in.

“Chelsea’s style is elegant, but not flashy. She loves things with meaning, something that feels timeless,” Maggie said, guiding Mr. Johansson with her insights.

Mr. Johansson nodded, setting aside a few options before presenting a ring that caught Maggie’s eye immediately. It was a simple yet stunning design—an emerald-cut diamond set in a platinum band, with small, intricate details along the sides that added a touch of vintage charm.

Maggie held the ring in her hand. “This one,” she said softly, turning to Steven. “It’s perfect.”

Steven studied the ring, his brow furrowed in concentration. “You think so?”

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