Page 3 of The Engagement
While the girls decide what they’re going to order for dinner, I disappear into our bedroom and raid Erin’s jewelry box. She has a number of cherished rings she inherited from her grandmother. I slip her favorite one into my pocket so I can take it with me to the jewelry store. This ring fits her finger perfectly, so the jeweler will be able to use it to determine her ring size.
After I hug Haley goodbye and kiss Erin, I head out on my secret mission, with Erin none the wiser.
* * *
When I walk into a jewelry store on N. Michigan Avenue, I immediately spot Beth McIntyre and Sam Harrison looming over a display case. Sam’s pointing through the glass at something, talking, and Beth is nodding.
Beth and Sam are a package deal. She doesn’t go anywhere without him, unless she’s with her husband, Shane. Sam isher full-time bodyguard—a perk that comes from having a very wealthy, and very protective, husband who owns a security company.
Shortly after the two of them met, Beth was attacked and beaten nearly to death at the university library where she worked at the time. Since then, Shane doesn’t take any chances with her safety.
“That’s the wedding band I’d want,” Sam says as he points out a man’s solid gold band. “Classic, no-frills. And I’d want Cooper’s name engraved on the inside, of course. It should sayProperty of Cooper.” He winks at Beth. “It’s an inside joke. Remember that when Cooper asks you to go ring shopping with him.”
“You’re so sure he’ll ask me?” she says.
Sam makes aduhface. “Of course. Everyone wants your opinion.”
Beth laughs. And then she notices me approaching and gives me a huge smile. “Mack!” She pulls me in for a bear hug. “Are you ready for this?”
“You bet I am.” I scan the shop, taking in dozens of glass display cases. Everywhere I look, I see sparkling gemstones of every color imaginable and lots and lots of diamonds. Feeling more than a bit overwhelmed, I look to Beth for some much-needed advice. “So, where do I start?”
Beth holds out her hand. “Did you bring one of Erin’s rings?”
“Yes.” I dig it out of my pocket and hand it over.
Beth looks at the ring and then waves over a sales assistant. “Would you mind sizing this for us, please?”
“Certainly,” the young brunette says as she takes the ring. “Just one moment.”
While we’re waiting for the sales assistant to return, Beth walks me over to one of the display cases. “We got here early, so I had a chance to look around. I think she would love one ofthese.” She gestures to a grouping of diamond rings on display. “Erin would like something simple. She’s not flashy, and she doesn’t like trendy. She likesclassic.” Beth points at a slender gold band set with a small, round diamond. “Like this one.”
The sales assistant joins us at the display case. “Size six,” she says as she hands me the ring. “What exactly are you looking for?” She gazes first at me, and then at Sam, who’s looming behind Beth.
Sam points at me. “Heis looking for an engagement ring for his girlfriend.”
The sales associate—Kaitlyn, according to her name tag—turns her attention to me. “Do you know what type of band you’re looking for? Silver? Gold? White gold? Rose gold?”
“I think gold,” I say. “Most of her jewelry is plain gold. I think she’d prefer that.” I turn to Beth for confirmation, and she nods.
“Do you like any of these?” Kaitlyn asks as she points to a display of diamond solitaires mounted on slender gold bands.
I stare at the rings. The diamonds are all sizes and shapes, from round to oval to square. Large ones, small ones, and everything in between. It’s a bit overwhelming.
“How about this one?” Sam asks as he points to a round diamond. “It’s classic and well-balanced.”
It’s not huge and it’s not small. It’s right in the middle. “That looks good,” I say. But I defer to Beth.
“Erin and I wear the same size,” she says. “I can model it for you.”
While Kaitlyn pulls the ring out of the display case, Beth removes her wedding band and diamond ring and hands them to Sam for safekeeping. The saleswoman slips the ring onto Beth’s finger.
“What do you think?” Beth asks as she models the ring.
I think it’s pretty, but what do I know? “Do you think she’ll like it?” I ask. “That’s what matters.”
Beth gives me a teary smile. “I guarantee she’ll love it, Mack.”
“Then I’ll take it,” I say. It’s simple and classic, and I know that’s what Erin likes.
