Page 65 of Sprite Wedding
Finally, one roommate who dropped the banter long enough for me to announce my plan. “Since you two have a way of rubbing off on me—and not in the lewd way you’re thinking, my curmudgeonly friend”—I stared at Diego— “I want to go shopping for an engagement ring,” I declared with a wide grin.
“No way.” Diego’s mouth dropped open.
“Brilliant.” Sebastian nodded with approval.
Diego patted me on the back. “That’s great, man.” He chuckled. “You two are always copying me like younger brothers—first with mates, then with marriage.”
“Ha. You’ll always be the oldest, old man,” I replied.
“But ageless,” he pointed out with a raised index finger. “One day, you two will be old men with sagging scrotums while I’ll stay this fine.” He tipped his head forward and pouted like Derek Zoolander giving the Blue Steel model pose.
“Now you’re bragging,” I said.
His smile faltered. “You know there are downsides to immortality, but we’re not going to brood on them now. Let’s talk about you and this ring. What are you thinking?”
I clapped my hands together. “Well, I don’t want the same old ring that everyone and their mother has. I’ve gone to some jewelry shops and looked online. I want to find something special, something unique, something Zoe will like and actually wear.”
“True, you need to keep her tastes in mind,” Sebastian replied. “She’ll probably want something much more understated than what you’re thinking of.”
“Yes, I thought of that.” I had a tendency to be swayed by the sparkle, but that wouldn’t fit Zoe. She’d want something beautiful yet practical. That meant the ring couldn’t get in the way if she needed to reach into her toolbelt for a weapon at a moment’s notice.
I rolled my shoulders back, ready to get to business. “I think the best way is to visit the stores owned by witches in town. Some of them sell jewelry. Maybe I’ll find a stunning antique or other unique design.”
“We’re in the right place for that,” Diego agreed with a nod. “When do you want to go?”
“Since we’ll have to wait until sundown, when’s the next night we can all go?”
Three nights later, we had a guys’night out. I made Diego and Sebastian swear they wouldn’t tell Nova and Gianna where we were going. If the ladies found out we were looking for an engagement ring, it could get to Zoe before I proposed. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust them to keep a secret, but in the excitement, thoughts might slip from lips, and that would ruin the surprise.
We started along some of the shops near Derby Street. Many smelled like incense and herbs, which they sold as well as crystals, tarot cards, books, and bingo—jewelry. I examined the display, my eyes scouring a variety of silver pendants, colorful crystals, and rings with pentacles. It wasn’t what I was looking for.
The next stop was Colleen’s, one of the witches who’d founded the Network. It was housed in a brick building near the waterfront. Witch globes hung in the window. The scent of incense drifted out the front door. Once we entered, it grew more pronounced in a pleasant way. Wind chimes tinkled.
Colleen stood at a table, her blond curls falling over her face as she carved into a candle for a customer. She then anointed it with oils. The three of us perused while we waited. I scanned the various dried herbs, picking up some of my favorites to sniff them. Since my pulse worked at a higher level in my nervous excitement, I picked up a sachet of lavender and sniffed it to help soothe my restlessness.
Once the customer left the store with their purchase, Colleen greeted us.
“Hey, Colleen, how’s it going? I haven’t seen you much lately.”
“It’s been busy here at the shop.” She smiled. “Oh, and my niece, Aurora, came for a visit with her mate.” She turned to Sebastian. “You might know him. He’s a wolf shifter in the White Mountains. That’s where you grew up, right?”
“Indeed.”
“His name is Grayson. Sound familiar?”
“Ah, right,” Sebastian replied. “The beta of the Franconia pack. I’ve heard good things about him, but we haven’t met yet.”
Colleen’s gaze moved over each of us. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“You need to keep this under wraps,” I said in a low tone and leaned forward, “but I’m looking for an engagement ring for Zoe.”
Colleen placed her hand on her heart. “Oh, how wonderful!”
“The thing is I’m having trouble finding the perfect ring.”
Colleen gave a subtle nod. “Understandable.” She motioned to me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Something classic yet unique. Beautiful yet not flashy. Oh, and it can’t be impractical.” I circled my vague idea with more descriptors.
