Page 21 of Night Wedding
“I’m aware of that.”
“Don’t pick out a bland diamond, Diego.”
I groaned. “That sounds like an oxymoron. I’m thinking she’ll like one that’s simple yet elegant.”
I glanced over at the jeweler and regretted turning down his offer to help when we’d walked in. Now he was helping another customer.
On Lucas’s next non-helpful suggestion, I said, “Thanks for coming down, Lucas, but I’m all set. I want to do this on my own.”
“What?” Lucas straightened and covered his chest. “Are you firing me?”
“Now that I think of it, it’s kind of weird to have you helping me shop for an engagement ring. You’re not the one proposing to her. It would be super strange for her to wear a ring that you suggested.”
Lucas considered it and cocked his head. “Yeah, I get that. All right, I’ll stand aside. Pick something out and show it to me.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m good.” No matter what I picked, it wouldn’t be shiny enough for a dragon shifter.
“All right, man. I get it. Good luck.” He patted my back before he walked out of the store.
After Lucas left, I continued the search. There were so many options—yellow gold, white gold, rose gold. So many diamond shapes and designs. Some had a singular diamond, others had it as the focal point amid other gems. My cool skin felt hot. I wiped my brow. How was I supposed to select from all these choices?
Once the other customer left the store with her purchase, I turned to the jeweler. He wore a suit that fit him well and had gray at his temples. “I could use some suggestions after all.”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “I overheard you mention simple yet elegant. Can I show you some options?”
He approached me, and the scent of his cologne grew stronger. Fortunately, it wasn’t overpowering.
“Yes, please.” I rolled back on the balls of my feet and blew out a breath, relieved a pro was taking the lead.
He brought me to a display case. “Do any of these fit what you have in mind?”
I scanned the different options here, which was much easier. They were all traditional types that I was familiar with, a single diamond on a band. As my gaze cruised over the selections, one stood out. It was a round diamond on a rose gold band. For some reason, it made me think of Nova. She’d talked about circles many times as she’d opened and closed them while practicing magic. All of these rings were in that shape, but for some reason, this one struck me asthe one.
“Can I see that one?” I pointed it out.
“Good choice. You can’t go wrong with a classic design like this.”
He pulled it out of the display case, and I turned it under the light. The colors reflecting out as I turned it in one direction and then another would have made Lucas climax in his pants.
Eww, awful image. I attempted to scrub it from my mind.
“Would you prefer to look at something else?” the jeweler asked.
Oh jeez, I must have looked like I was cringing at the ring while reacting to that image of Lucas. “No, I like it. How much is it?”
When he quoted the price, I schooled my face not to react this time. Sure, it was expensive for something dug from the earth, but Nova was worth it.
“We have finance options,” he said.
That would help. “Sounds good.”
After we completed the paperwork, and he packaged the ring in a red velvet box in a fancy black bag, I left the store. The sky was darker now, the moon higher in the sky. People of all ages were out on this summer night.
Heels hitting the brick sidewalk behind me grew more pronounced. The skin on the back of my neck prickled, and I turned.
I exhaled and closed my eyes. When I reopened them, I hoped she wouldn’t be there. I was wrong. Her silvery-blonde hair appeared almost luminescent under a streetlight.
“What did you buy?” Diana pointed to my bag.
