His faith is unshakable. It gives me more confidence about the business side of things. I nod, then lean in to kiss him.
After a moment, I can’t resist asking, “Why do it that way though? You want to get married and buy a house together and have kids right away. Everything you’re doing is designed to bind us together. But you want to give me money outright? Wouldn’t it serve your purpose better to hold on to the purse strings?”
“I want your body and your soul tied to mine. I’m not looking to buy you with cash. You’re not a working girl who rents by the hour. You’re gonna be my wife. You’ve got dreams, Raven. Go after them. No one’s clipping your wings. Especially not me.”
I turn my head sharply, so he won’t see me cry. In that moment, I understand what love is supposed to be. It’s him.
After a couple of minutes, I wipe my eyes. He’s not what I expected, and I wonder if I’m the only woman alive who really knows him. It makes me feel incredibly special and lucky. We’re quiet for the rest of the ride to Boston, and even in the exclusive jewelry store that we have to be buzzed into, I feel distracted. There’s a velvet cushion full of blindingly bright diamonds, but I don’t hear what the salesman’s saying about them.
“Give us a minute,” Sasha says.
“Of course,” the man in the navy suit says, slipping behind the counter and melting into the background.
“What about just bands? We can elope,” I say.
“Is that what you want to do?” he asks.
I shrug. “I’m overwhelmed,” I whisper. “I can’t stop thinking about working on the show. And getting a chance to start a business. Why don’t you pick out the ring? I’m sure I’ll like whatever you choose.”
After a few moments of silence, I shift uncomfortably. Does he think I’m not excited about marrying him? Have I hurt him accidentally?
“What about one that’s not white?” he asks.
“Not white?” I echo, confused.
He takes me to a display and points at an icy dark blue solitaire with a band of white diamonds.
“Beautiful.”
“That seems like you.”
“It does. It’s a dark sapphire?” I ask.
The salesman comes over. “No, it’s a blue diamond. Extremely rare.” He takes it from the case and slides it on my finger. The band is too big, but the stone is perfect. It sparkles with a mysterious aura.
“Stunning,” the man says. “It suits you.”
“Yes, I like this one.”
“I’ll take that,” Sasha says.
“Excellent. And the plan is for us to size it now?” the salesman asks.
“Yes. Not a problem, right?”
“No, Calvin, our head jeweler’s here and ready. Let me measure her finger.”
It’s all done so quickly. We wait on an antique sofa in the center of showroom. I shake my head at the offer of champagne and strawberries. Instead, I wait until the salesman’s back behind the counter, then I inch closer to Sasha and lean against him. His big arm moves from the back of the sofa to rest along my side, swallowing me up and curling me into him.
When they bring the ring in a lovely box, Sasha unwraps it and puts the box in his pocket. He slides the ring on my finger, checks its fit, and then nods.
He shakes the salesman’s hand.
“We’re delighted we had the perfect ring. And congratulations!” he says to us.
“Thanks,” I say, smiling back.
Then we’re back outside. Inside the Rover, he puts on music and tells me I can change the station if I want. I don’t, listening to the rap that the guys must listen to when they drive around together.
