Page 38 of Christmas with the Mafia
We finish up at the shelter, and as we slip into the car for our next stop, this time I take his hand.
“Thank you for taking me there.”
I smile, and something flares in his eyes, and he returns my smile. “Anytime, baby girl. Now maybe you won’t judge me quite so harshly for my spending habits.”
“I’m sorry; I didn’t know the facts.”
“And that was your first mistake.”
I lean back beside him, and as my head falls onto his shoulder, I smile to myself. I was so lucky to be rescued by him last night. It was as if the stars aligned and delivered an angel to earth.
The next stop is a place I never imagined for a second I would ever step foot inside.
Harry Winstons.
It doesn’t escape me that it was easier to walk here fromBergdorf Goodman, and it seems a little ridiculous that we drove here. However, I wouldn’t have missed the shelter for all the diamonds and designer gowns in the world, and as we walk through the impressive doors, we are greeted by a man who calls himself the manager.
“Mr. Ravera. Miss Stone.”
I’m impressed that he knows my name and, for once, I’m glad I dressed the part. Nico was right, I did need this outfit because I am starting to realize the power of fashion. At the shelter, we stuck out like idiots. Here would be the other way around. Perhaps Nico is right to equip me with every eventuality because after today, nothing would surprise me.
We are taken to a private room, despite the fact the store is pure luxury, and as we take our seats at a glass desk, we are served glasses of champagne along with canapés. I am aching so badly to film every minute of this fairytale, and I curse my luck in leaving my phone behind. Nobody would ever believe me without evidence, which is just my luck to live the dream with no concrete proof of it.
The manager returns with a tray of diamond rings, and I almost drop my glass as I gaze at the biggest diamonds I have ever seen.
Nico is staring at them with intense concentration, and I’m weaker by the second as I imagine the price tags.
“This one.” Nico points to the most breathtaking diamond, which causes me to catch my breath at the sheer size of it.
“Nico, I–” I falter as the manager lifts the gorgeous creation from the tray and smiles. “Perhaps your fiancé would like todo the honors.”
I’m a little flustered as Nico takes the ring from the manager’s hand and with a sexy smile, lifts my left hand in his and with his right hand he slides the ring on the third finger of my left hand.
I can’t even look and gaze into his eyes the entire time, mesmerized by the passion in his eyes, and my breath hitches, and my mouth dries as the weight of the ring presses down on my finger.
I’m shocked when he leans forward and kisses me with a slow, lingering promise of more delight that I can stand, and he whispers against my lips, “Will you marry me, Regina Stone?”
I’m shocked. He speaks as if he means it, and I gasp as my world spins around me. What is the correct answer? I really don’t know what to say, but then I remind myself I am playing a part and nod shyly. “I do.”
He smirks, and I say quickly, “I mean, yes! Of course I’ll marry you, Nico.”
The manager’s grin almost falls off his mouth, and he wipes a tear from his eye and says gaily, “More champagne, this is a momentous occasion.”
Nico runs his thumb over the diamond, and as I glance down at my finger, it almost dazzles me with its brilliance.
“It’s, so, um, well, big?” I say as I stare at the most exquisite ring I’ve ever seen.
“One of a kind, Miss Stone.”
The manager says proudly as he hands me a glass of champagne and then one to Nico.
“To the happy couple.”
I’m shocked when a bright light dazzles me and one of the assistants takes several photographs. Nico is holding myhand, looking every inch the proud fiancé, and I must appear a little shell-shocked as I hold his hand and attempt to sip the champagne in the other.
After the photographs and the champagne, the manager takes back the ring and assures Nico that it will be re-sized and delivered to his apartment by the close of business. Nico doesn’t even pay for it and merely tells him to add it to his account, and I wonder what else he buys here to warrant an actual account with the king of diamonds.
I’m a little disconcerted by that. Does he do this all the time? Is this merely an elaborate façade to get a date for the holidays? It’s certainly been a whirlwind, and I wouldn’t put it past him, and yet nothing can dampen the excitement of the occasion.
