Page 74 of Marry Me, Right Now

She nodded, her bottom lip still trembling. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, grabbing her purse. Mia was becoming an expert at faking being calm, and it made me feel extremely guilty.

We walked arm in arm past reception, and I noticed that both ladies gave her a little nod and smile. Mia shot them a grin, and I assumed that they had been engaging in wedding talk earlier. That must have been it – women always ask to see someone’s engagement ring.

Once we got into my car, I turned to her, taking her hands in mine. “Okay. Please, tell me what’s wrong.”

“You didn’t tell me about the ring.”

“I said to pick out any ring you wanted. You picked this one.” I turned it so that it shone in the light. “I don’t know anything about jewelry, but I thought it was pretty, and a bit different. Just like you. Unique, even more special.” I tried to smile, but she looked freaked out.

“But you didn’t tell me that it was super expensive.”

“It was Tiffany’s. They’re a good company. I paid whatever they said.”

She tilted her head and looked at me like I was an idiot. “Are you telling me that you didn’t know that pink diamonds are more expensive than white ones?”

I shrugged. “The saleslady sort of gave me a pointed look, but I wasn’t going to dissuade you once you found one you liked. My mother had said something about it, but it was after we bought the ring. And after I saw t

hat look on your face, and how happy it made you, I don’t care what it cost.”

“It probably cost fifteen to twenty times more than white diamonds.”

“Whatever. But it’s a lot smaller than some rings. Does that matter?”

“Oh my god, yes! I had no idea. I’m the only woman on the planet that doesn’t know these things, apparently.”

I tried to keep my voice calm and soothing. “But it was the one you wanted. Why should it make a difference?”

“But… People might think that I was trying to fleece you for an expensive ring. That doesn’t bother you?”

I began running my fingertips along her hands, trying to calm her down. “No. Not at all. You liked it, I bought it. That’s it. There was no ulterior motive beyond wanting you to have something on your finger that made you happy. I swear.”

I turned her palms up, rubbing my thumbs around the center of her palm. “I read something about turning your hands up helps you listen better,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“You sometimes throw money around like it’s meaningless,” she said softly.

“I don’t think it’s meaningless. Okay, I guess I spend more than the average person. But that’s because I have a lot more than the average person.”

“I guess you’ll never understand what it’s like living hand to mouth, and actually having a budget.”

“Would that make you happy, if I tried to learn?”

Her eyes met mine. She was obviously startled. “Would you consider doing that?”

“Sure. What if we did that right now? What if we had a budget of whatever you think is reasonable, and we went out on a date for the rest of the day?”

Her lips twitched into a tiny smile. “For the whole day? Coffee, entertainment, dinner?”

“Yes. Anywhere you want, anything you want to do.”

I was incredibly relieved that she looked both amused and delighted. “You’re going to play hooky for the rest of the day?”

I reluctantly released her hands to dig in my pocket for my phone. Quickly calling Gloria, I left word that my three o’clock would have to reschedule, and I would not be in until tomorrow morning.

“Buckle up,” I said. “We’re off.”

“No, we’re not.” She laughed. “Gas is expensive. Parking costs at least twenty bucks in any of the lots in town, and at least eight dollars out on the street. We have a budget of forty dollars from now until midnight, so we’re walking.” She got out of the car, expecting me to follow. I grabbed my jacket from the backseat.

M I A

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