I blinked at him. We both knew that wasn't how it shook out with Magnolia but he was always on the hunt for sympathy. "I'm not following you to an underground gem dealer unless you're sure about this. Get there or buy me a beer because it's too damn cold to stand out here much longer."
He stared down the street for a long moment then turned an impatient glare in my direction. "Why the fuck did I bring you along for this?"
I lifted my shoulders, let them fall. "Beats the shit out of me. Don't you have other friends? I can't be the only person you'd call to chaperone a shopping excursion."
That was the kick in the ass Ben needed because he said, "Okay, then. Let's do this. Let's buy an engagement ring." He coughed and sucked in a breath as if he was choking. "Jesus Roosevelt Christ, I'm asking Killer to marry me. I'm—I'm gonnamarrythis woman."
I clapped him on the back. "It's great when it hits you, huh? It's like a near-drowning."
He continued coughing and sputtering. "When did this happen?Howdid this happen?"
"By my count, you have Lauren Walsh to thank."
He hit me with an unimpressed glare. "Can't believe we got roped into moving people we didn't even know. What kind of bullshit was that?"
That earned him another smack on the back. "It worked out for the best. You met Grace, right?"
He gestured down the street and we started in that direction. "Correction. I did notmeether. I was caught in her motherfuckin' force field."
I shoved my hands into my coat pockets, a smile forcing its way across my lips. "Yeah. It's exactly like that."
I followed Ben to a building on the far fringe of Boston's Theater District. After being buzzed in, we climbed two sets of stairs and waited on a narrow landing. I pulled my phone from my pocket and shot off a text to Magnolia.
Rob: This is not what I'd expected but it's 100% on-brand for Brock so I probably should've expected everything.
Magnolia: Sounds about right.
Magnolia: Promise me you won't let him make any excessively odd choices. Odd is fine but not excessively odd. Grace does have a tiny mustache tattoo on her ring finger so…
Rob: I believe that's the entire reasoning behind my invitation to this event.
Magnolia: He invited you because you're his friend and he trusts your opinions.
Magnolia: He likes you. Even if he doesn't act like it.
Magnolia: But also, you have done this a few times.
Rob: You are so rude to me.
"Hey."Ben slapped the doorframe, snatching my attention away from the screen. He tipped his head toward the open door. "He's ready for us."
A man wearing a black apron covered in dusty handprints introduced himself as Syleski as he ushered us into the office. He pointed at the chairs in front of his desk, asking, "Rings, yes? That's what you want?"
Ben glanced to me, anoh fuck what am I doing?look on his face. I pulled out a chair, pushed him into it. "Yes," I answered. "He's looking for an engagement ring."
"Nothing traditional," Ben added. "It has to be different. Really unique."
I nodded but said to Syleski, "Not too different."
The jeweler ducked into the back section of the office while I shucked my winter coat, hung it over the chair. "Loosen up, Brock. You're going to survive."
He snapped off a response but I ignored him in favor of my phone.
Rob: He's not drunk enough for this.
Rob: Neither am I.
Magnolia: You can drink later. With me.
