Page 113 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis
By mile three, we’d found our perfect synchronization. Her cycling cadence matched my running stride, and we moved through the park like we’d been training together for months instead of minutes.
“Same time tomorrow?” I asked as we cooled down.
“Same time tomorrow.”
Two days later, I was standing in the men’s department at Nordstrom, holding a pinstripe suit jacket against my chest and wondering if I was overdressing for my step-sister Adrian’s wedding. The invitation had said “cocktail attire,” but with the Mackleberry family, you never knew if that meant business casual or black tie optional.
“That’s a beautiful suit.”
I turned to find a sales associate approaching with a smile.
“You think? It’s for a wedding.”
“Are you the groom?”
“No.”
“Then it’s a great choice. Would you like to try it on?”
“Yes.”
“Follow me.”
I ended up leaving with the suit, two shirts, and a tie. Truth be told, I didn’t need the suits. I had plenty. But I figured it was for a good occasion, so something new was better.
I was heading toward the exit when something caught my eye. The jewelry store’s window display was filled with sparkling diamonds that made me stop walking.
Not because I needed jewelry. Not because I was shopping for anything specific. But because one of the rings in the window made me think of Naomi’s hands, and once that thought entered my head, I couldn’t shake it.
Before I knew it, I was pushing through the glass doors.
“Welcome to Tiffany & Co. How can I help you today?”
The saleswoman strolled up to me with an award-winning smile. One thing about it, she was ready to sell her next piece of expensive jewelry.
“I’m only looking.”
“Of course. Are you only looking for someone special?”
I smirked. “Yes.”
She smiled knowingly. “What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t have anything in mind. That’s the problem.”
“Well, let’s start with something simple. Traditional or modern? Classic or unique?”
I thought about Naomi. Her style, her personality, the way she approached everything in life.
“Something elegant but not flashy. Sophisticated. Timeless.”
“I have the perfect thing.”
She led me to a display case filled with engagement rings. But when she pulled out a straightforward solitaire with a round diamond set in platinum, I could immediately picture it on Naomi’s finger.
“This is our classic setting. One carat, excellent cut, VS1 clarity. It’s elegant and timeless.”
I took the ring, holding it up to the light. It was beautiful, with the aura to withstand fifty years of wear and tear.
