Page 11 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

‘What is it?’ I asked, confused.

He shook his head and I really thought he was cross with me. But then his handsome face broke into a smile. ‘You’ve just ruined the surprise, that’s all.’

‘Surprise?’

‘Yes. I was... well, I was going to take you to Tiffany’s this morning.’

‘Tiffany’s?’ I looked at him, startled.

Was he planning to buy me something there?

He grinned. ‘Unless you’d rather not go?’

‘No!I mean, yes. Of course I’d like to go to Tiffany’s. But why? What’s the surprise?’

‘Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you now, would it?’

‘Right.’ My heart was beating fast, and I was about to question him more, when the waffles and crispy bacon arrived.

The food was very good and so was the coffee – much better than the posh stuff in Richard’s apartment. We ate and drankin silence for a while, enjoying the ambience of the diner as my mind performed a series of wild somersaults.

What was Richard’s surprise?

Tiffany’s only sold jewellery, so obviously it was something special.

Could it be . . .?

No, surely not. We’d never once talked about getting married. But maybe Richard had missed me more than he thought he would?

Could he really be buying me an engagement ring?

I took a sneaky look at his face as he signalled to a waiter for our bill. He’d seemed a little agitated earlier, wanting us to be on our way, but he was looking quite calm now. Much too calm for someone who was about to propose to his girlfriend, surely?

I felt a sudden panicky sensation inside, as if a flock of birds were in there flapping their wings, preparing for take-off.

What would I say if Richard asked me to marry him?

CHAPTER FIVE

Walking into Tiffany’s felt really special.

It was out of this world inside – so stylish and grand I actually gasped in awe. Richard looked at me, amused, and I laughed with embarrassment, feeling like a raw country bumpkin visiting the city for the very first time.

Vast windows stretched from floor to ceiling on all sides and the jewels glittered in cases placed around the room. People milled around, chatting and bending to study the beautiful pieces laid out under glass.

I didn’t know what to expect and my heart was beating fast as I lingered by a glass case containing diamond-studded pendants modelled around the classic Tiffany’s key design.

Looking up, I saw Richard talking to a female assistant and as I joined them, he winked at me and took my hand, and we followed her to the floor above. My heart was in my mouth wondering if this was the engagement ring floor.

At last, we stopped by a particular stand. The assistant smiled at us and Richard said, ‘Thank you. I think we’ll be fine from here.’

I looked down at the jewellery on display and my heart gave a leap of excitement.

A beautiful pair of diamond-stud earrings.

Then I spotted the price and grimaced. ‘No way. They’re far too expensive, Richard.’

But he smiled and said, ‘I’ve never bought you any lovely jewellery and it’s been bugging me recently because you deserve it.’ To my surprise, there were tears in his eyes, and I felt my heart swell with tenderness. ‘Do you like them? I know you’ve got fake diamond ones like that.’

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