Page 81 of Charmed By Destiny

“Perfect. I want the ring.”

Her gaze widened. If Luke was correct, she hadn’t mentioned a price yet, but he didn’t care. That ring was coming home with him.

“Let’s have a look at the tag,” the clerk said.

She rattled off a price that was so high that the frugal part of him screamed in horror, but he still had no hesitation. Luke fished out his wallet and handed over the card the Marwoods had arranged for him to have upon his arrival at the resort. It was the first time he’d used it, and thankfully the limit was stupidly large.

“Before I ring you up, can I ask, is this an engagement ring? We have some wedding bands that would complement it.”

Luke blinked. Was he already considering marriage?Absolutely.“Yes, it’s an engagement ring.”

It took several minutes, but Luke eventually decided on something non-traditional. He added two black bands glimmering with what he’d learned were pave diamonds. One would rest above and the other beneath the gorgeous purple sapphire.

At some point, Luke was handed a glass of champagne by another employee, and he sipped it as he mentally calculated how much of his savings he was sacrificing. Eventually, he finished his drink. Then, he was handed a small bag and a long receipt he was told to bring with him when he returned to have the rings sized for Richard.

He headed to the house, and it hit him as he pulled into the garage that the mansion no longer intimidated him. It’d become home. His first one. Not because of the expensive furnishings or the high ceilings. But because of the Marwoods. Because of his wonderful Richard.

Racing out of his car, Luke sped inside through the side door of the garage. With his bag in hand, he headed for the kitchen and thankfully found everyone gathered. Rosalind and David were completing dinner plans as they chatted with Gabe, Eric, and Clark.

Gabe spotted Luke first. “Richard on his way to New York?”

“Yes, and don’t let him trick anyone into getting me on the phone. He’s there to spend time with Mari. We’re only texting until he gets home on Thursday.”

“No worries, I never answer if Richard calls,” Clark replied. Luke didn’t bother to call out the lie. The Marwoods prioritized family above everything else.

“What’s in the bag?” Rosalind asked.

“It’s a secret,” Luke said, setting the bag on the island. It wasn’t something he planned to show Richard yet, but he needed to share his purchases with someone. Luke didn’t know when he was proposing, and he needed to put some thought into that. However, planning could wait. He tugged out the large box where the most important of the rings was secured and handed it to Rosalind. “I bought this for Richard.”

Rosalind smiled and opened the box. Her free hand went to her heart. “Oh.”

Clark stepped behind his wife and glimpsed over her shoulder. “Amethyst?”

“Purple sapphire, I think,” Luke replied, hoping he was remembering correctly. The stone had reminded him of the bouquet he’d bought for Richard on their date a few weeks ago. He knew nothing about stones—he’d liked the color and could imagine it on Richard’s finger. Grabbing the packet with the receipt in it, Luke handed it to Clark.

“Let me see,” Eric insisted as he and David rushed to Luke to view the ring.

“Richard is a lucky, lucky man,” Rosalind remarked softly. “He’s going to love this. Are those wings on the sides?”

“The saleswoman told me they’re supposed to be petals, but they look like wings to her and me,” Luke answered.

“Dragonfly wings for sure,” Eric said.

“Definitely,” David added. “It’s a beautiful ring.”

“One you paid handsomely for,” Clark commented. “Are you planning to propose immediately, or do I have time to get this appraised and insured?”

“I didn’t know I was ready to buy an engagement ring until I found myself in the jewelry store,” Luke responded.

“Then I want to get it insured. You made an investment, and we need to respect that. If something happens to it or it’s lost, you want to have the value so you can replace it.”

“Clark, the man doesn’t care about any of that right now,” Rosalind argued. “Can’t you enjoy the beauty of the ring and this moment for five seconds before you’re rushing off to talk to the insurance agent?”

“I’m trying to help. I did the same thing for Eric’s ring. It was insured prior to Gabriel handing it to him,” Clark defended.

“That’s because you helped me find a jeweler,” Gabe said. “The entire buying process was overwhelming. But I’m not sure the insurance was as necessary as it is for Luke, I didn’t buy Eric a giant fucking rock with fancy diamonds on the side.”

“Because that wouldn’t have suited Eric,” Rosalind pointed out, still staring at the ring in the box with damp eyes. “Richard and Eric are different people. Lucas knows Richard and chose something he’ll love. Just the way Eric adores what you bought him.”

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