Page 14 of Fly Back to Me
I roll my eyes just as I let her playful insult tumble off my shoulder. “Dirty blond hair and bright blue eyes. The sort of clean-cut look that makes him prettier than me.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much what I expected,” she replies flatly.
I turn my palm up. “He’s a hero. Aren’t all heroes the typical Prince Charming you see in Disney movies?”
“Or he could just be an average-looking guy because he’s not a fictional character. Just a thought.”
“I resent that,” I affirm. “He’s got to be beautiful.”
Lauren’s hand covers both of mine, her cool skin extinguishing some of the heat. “You’re infatuated, Liv. It’ll pass.”
“No way,” I reject her accusation immediately. “But how can I harbor feelings for someone I don’t even know? Let alone what they look like?”
She peels her palm off me, and the fire spreads once again. “I think any woman would feel the way you do. This is just a phase that’ll eventually fade. Trust me,” she lectures.
My mouth seals.
Her words are untrue.
Mistaken.
We’re bonded by this invisible string, and even though it’s long and winding right now, I have to believe that it will straighten until the moment we meet again.
Chapter 7
Olivia
One Month Later
Sunday brunch was tossed aside when this wild idea popped into my mind last night. Well, a crazy idea to some. But to me? Lauren would say it’s just standard practice.
I swing the glass door open to enter the vestibule of Rico’s Jewelry. My fingers curl around the smart lock of the second entry door, and a low rumble hums against my hand.
Once the muted buzzer sounds off, I walk inside. I’m welcomed by a middle-aged man behind the display case that spans the width of the store, and I’m assuming he’s Rico.
“Hi,” I greet with a smile.
My legs carry me forward as my palms bunch the hem of my oversized flannel. Nerves dance in my stomach as if my plan is stapled to my forehead, and I briefly look around.
I brush my curtain bangs aside under my knit beanie, sighing before returning my attention to Rico. “I was wondering if I can have a ring duplicated.”
Rico nods eagerly, his excitement instantly boldening the wrinkles around his eyes. “Yes, of course we can do that. Do you have the ring with you?”
My face beams, eyes plunging downward to the belt bag strapped across my chest. I dig my hand inside, plucking out the plastic bag I made sure to bring here. “Here you go.”
Rico accepts the ring, and my throat rolls as he pops the bag open to inspect the metal wings.
Be cool, Liv.
His thick, tan fingers examine the jewelry like he justknows. He’s fondling it between his digits, his peppered mustache scarcely tucking into his cautious smile. “You’re looking at about two hundred dollars. Stainless steel is a lot cheaper than gold, which would be five hundred dollars to replicate. This is better for you,” he explains, his voice charming in that Italian charisma.
Phew.
“And if I want an engraving?” I ask.
“Eighty dollars more. So, two-hundred-eighty total.”
A grin stretches across my lips, my finger vaguely poking out toward him. “Great, but there is one more thing I’d like to ask.”
