They were either too plain or too gaudy, not a single one screaming undying devotion and love.
Jimmy could feel pressure eating away at his insides as he moved from case to case with no luck. He was getting frustrated, and while Rowena was having a blast trying on numerous shiny things, he really didn’t want to be here anymore.
Rowena seemed to sense Jimmy’s tension, returning the necklace she’d been admiring and smiling at Jimmy. “Wanna get out of here and try another place?”
“Yes,” Jimmy sighed. “Anywhere but here.”
Out to the limo they went, Jerry herding them from one jewelry store to the next. They even tried a few antique stores hoping for a vintage piece that would strike Jimmy’s fancy and still found nothing. He was starting to think he would never find the right ring for Cold.
“Ooo, your super sexy wedding tuxedo is ready to be picked up,” Rowena said as they were leaving another jewelry store empty-handed. “That’s exciting!”
Jimmy watched Rowena speedily type away on her phone, frowning. “I have a tuxedo?”
“Duh! Worley over at Volturo Designs made it especially for you. Same with Roddy’s!” She quirked her brows as she read a very long text message. “Okay, so, Daddy Poe already came in and got his, fits great. He’s your best man, of course. But whenever Worley calls Maury to come in and try his on, Maury screams at him and hangs up.”
“Maury has a tuxedo?”
“He’s one of your groomsmen!”
“Does Maury know that?” Jimmy laughed, shaking his head and sighing haggardly. “I remember us talking about it at dinner the other night, but I’m not sure if he realized you were being serious.”
“Hmm, probably not!” Rowena tapped away on her phone. “We can go grab the suits and go see Maury. He needs to try it on and make sure the damn thing fits.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. You know how much Maury loves being fancy!”
“Just let me do the talking.” Rowena winked slyly and adjusted her top. “I can be very convincing.”
Of that, Jimmy had no doubt.
Jerry drove them to Volturo Designs to pick up the tuxedos and then promptly over to Maury’s. Rowena stayed on her phone, plotting the final party preparations for tonight with Jules. They arrived at Maury’s pawn shop and Jimmy took the lead, slinging the black garment bag over his shoulder as he headed inside.
“Hey, Maury!” Jimmy called out, the bell jingling as he and Rowena came strolling through the door. “How’s it going?”
“Hey! How’s it going with you, big stuff?” Maury blinked from where he was sitting behind the counter, watching the news on a small television. “I just saw yous and Cold on TV! Everybody’s talkin’ about it! That slick son of a bitch really fuckin’ did it, huh?”
“He sure did,” Rowena giggled, flipping her hair with a proud smile.
“My compliments to the greatest criminal mastermind of our time!” Maury laughed, tipping his hat. “Ha! Well, shit. What are yous doin’ here then? Shouldn’t you be out celebratin’?”
“Oh, that’ll be later tonight,” Rowena said, leaning seductively over the counter and smiling sweetly at Maury. “We have a little tiny errand to take care of, and I desperately need your help.”
“Yous need my help?” Maury eyed Rowena suspiciously, leaning back in his seat to put some distance between them. “What kinda help?”
“It’s so easy,” Rowena said, licking her lips slowly. “You don’t even have to go anywhere! I just need you to pretty pretty please... take off all of your clothes.”
“Huh?” Instead of looking titillated, Maury was alarmed. “What’sa matter with yous? You hit your head and gone all mentally irregular?”
Deflated that her technique wasn’t working, Rowena took the garment bag from Jimmy and plopped it on the counter as she groaned, “You need to try on this damn tuxedo! Our tailor’s been trying to get up with you for days!”
“Well, why the fuck didn’t yous just say that? If it’s for Jimmy’s fuckin’ wedding, all yous gotta do was ask me!” Maury huffed, glancing over at Jimmy worriedly. “I think she’s losin’ it.”
Jimmy did his best not to snicker, clearing his throat as he said, “She’s fine, I promise! If anything, she’s just worn out from trying to take me shopping.”
“Shopping? What kinda shoppin’?”
“Ring shopping,” Rowena huffed.
“Trying to find a ring for Rod,” Jimmy explained with a weary smile. “Hasn’t exactly been going well. We’ve pretty much been everywhere in the city, and I can’t find anything that I like. Or, I guess, I can’t find anything that I think he would like.”
