Page 114 of Loved

“Oh. Um. Let me call my boss while the three of you look around.”

I nodded and we started scanning the display cases. There weren’t a ton of options, but they were all pretty.

“What about that one?” Brendan said and pointed to the one with the biggest diamond in it.

I smiled. He didn’t know Penny at all. She didn’t care about something huge and flashy. She’d want something elegant and sophisticated like her. “No,” I said.

“The most expensive is usually the best,” Rob said.

“It’s not really about the price.” Penny didn’t care about that either. “Although, I’m willing to spend whatever it takes to find the perfect ring. It just has to be…her.”

“What does that even mean? You want a ring that’s a petite redhead with a kinky streak?”

I shook my head and moved to another display case.

“Speaking of which,” Rob said. “Since Brendan kissed her, it’s only fair that I get to too. I should probably do it before you propose. So maybe tonight?”

I hit the back of his head.

“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “So…is that a yes?”

Brendan laughed.

“The two of you aren’t being helpful.”

The man working there cleared his throat.

But I didn’t look up. Because I’d found the ring. “That one,” I said and pointed to the perfect one through the glass. It was simple and classy and elegant.

“That diamond is almost as big as the last one,” Brendan said.

I ignored him.

“Excellent choice.” The guy pulled it out of the display. “My boss is coming in. He’ll be able to size any ringand place any diamond into the setting that you want. But it won’t be ready until the morning.”

“What time?” I asked.

“Six at the latest.”

“That’ll work.” I had a few errands to run before I picked it up anyway. “Can I see the diamond options?” The one in the setting looked nice. But they usually kept the best cuts in the back.

“Of course.” He disappeared into the back and reappeared with a locked case of diamonds. We sat down so I could look at all of them. But there were only a few that were the size of the one on display. It didn’t take long to decide.

“And what size do you need it?” He was jotting down notes on the order form.

“Oh. Um….”

Rob laughed. “You don’t know Penny’s ring size?”

“Her hands are pretty small,” Brendan said. “She’s probably a size five or something.”

I glared at him. I did not want his advice on this. But I did know who I could ask. “Give me one second,” I said. I stood up, pulled out my phone, and called Melissa.

She answered after a few rings. “I heard you were kidnapping my best friend and taking her to New York."

Okay, this wasn’t a great start. Why was she always so hostile with me? “Is that how Penny worded it?” I asked.

"No, that's not how she worded it."

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