“Incorrigible,” he growled and opened the door.
“Mr. Elliot. What a huge surprise.”
The older man was genuinely happy to see Christian. That brought so many questions floating into my mind.
“Jeremy. How have you been? How’s Emma?” Christian guided me further into the small store. The lighting was incredible, the shimmer highlighting the most beautiful jewelry in the crystal cases. Suddenly, it felt as if I was living in a fairytale.
But what happened in all fairytales?
There was always an evil person determined to kill the prince and princess.
“She’s doing very well.” Jeremy seemed surprised Christian had remembered. “What can I do for you?” He eyed me, nodding and the smile on his face was genuine.
“I need a ring. An engagement ring.”
Instantly, Jeremy clasped his hands together. “Mr. Elliot. Congratulations. I was just telling Emma the other day that I was surprised someone hadn’t stolen your heart. Is this lovely lady the one who did?”
I coughed into my hand and Christian gave me a funny look.
“She absolutely stole my heart. I am a very lucky man. Jeremy, this is the incredible, talented, and ultra-beautiful Vanessa Blair.”
Before I moved to shake the man’s hand, I gave Christian a harsher look than he’d given me, whispering so only he could hear, “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I am so very happy for the both of you. Congratulations. I can tell how very much in love you are.” Jeremy shook my hand and I had a feeling the two men were close enough he wanted to hug me. Thankfully, he refrained, or I would have felt the need to burst his bubble.
As far as the love part, I guess I was a much better actress than I’d given myself credit for. Yay me.
“Thank you very much. We’re extremely happy.” Maybe I was also good at laying it on thick myself.
“What style of ring do you prefer?” Jeremy was beside himself. Suddenly, I hated lying to people more than I thought I would.
“You’ll need to help me. I’ve never been engaged before.”
“Then the men you’ve been dating are blind and stupid.” Jeremy’s words brought an instant laugh.
“You’re right. The sky is the limit, Jeremy. Whatever my bride to be wants, she gets.” Christian was continuing to lay it on thick.
“Oh, darling,” I said as I purposely backed into him. “Isn’t it usually customary for the man to hunt for days, weeks for the perfect ring then drop to his knee after providing a lavish setting with champagne and lobster to ask her to marry him? Hmmm?”
He swatted me on the bottom before the two men exchanged glances.
“I know you too well, honey bunchkins. You wouldn’t be satisfied with anything I selected. Take your time. I want you very happy.”
We shared a look that surpassed our bantering, which I’d begun to enjoy. Who went from feeling utter disgust with a human being to something else entirely in the space of a few days? A nutso like me. I only hoped he wasn’t completely conning me.
If he was, I wasn’t certain how I could take the revelation.
He’d already stripped me of several of my defenses.
“Why don’t we start with learning your ring size. We’ll go from there.”
Jeremy was kind, his voice gentle and before I agreed to what I considered blasphemous action, I turned toward Christian, searching his eyes. I wasn’t certain what I was hoping to find.
Maybe the truth, but about what exactly?
He smiled, giving me a nod as if that was going to make everything alright.
