Prescott slowed down his movements for a minute, then turned and finally met Billy’s gaze. “Oh, well, yes, I did get it. I texted you three days ago, but when you didn’t respond, I didn’t think you wanted it anymore.”
“Oh, I want it. Believe me. I want it more than anything.”
Looking from one man to the other, I could see how locked in on each other they were. I was certain that they weren’t talking about a book anymore. That was our cue to leave.
Whispering to my side, I told James, “We should go before they argue or lip lock. Either way, they don’t need an audience.”
James didn’t respond, just turned with me and exited to store. The whole place had beenadorable, owner included, and I would make a point of going back in one day when Prescott was having a better day.
Over the next few hours, James made sure we had a wonderful time walking the downtown streets of Fairpoint. We explored cute art galleries, vintage stores, and enjoyed the buskers we met along the way. We eventually wandered to a nice restaurant down on the Bay and sat outside for lunch in the afternoon sunshine. It was the best date I’d ever been on because there was no pressure, no pretense. We just enjoyed each other’s company.
After lunch, we made our way back through town toward my building, but James had one more stop he wanted to make. I didn’t get a chance to see the name of the store, but as soon as we walked in, I knew where we were.
“Gwen! Is this your shop?”
The beautiful older woman stopped cleaning the glass top of the jewelry case she was standing behind and looked up with a beaming smile.
“Ethan, it’s about time you made your way into my place.” She came through the opening in the display case and hugged me. Then she slapped James on the shoulder and shook her finger at James. “I’m glad to see you got your head out of your ass, James. Shame on you for treating our Ethan that way. Don’t you dare fuck this up, mister!”
After her scolding, she gave him a huge hug, too, as James promised, “I swear I won’t fuck it up again, Gwen.”
She harrumphed, then took my free hand to pull me over to her display cases. “Come see what I have, Ethan. I know you like the sparkly things, so come check out the best in the store.”
She pulled me over to a beautiful glass case lined in luxurious deep blue velvet, but the stars of the display were the gorgeous silver jewelry pieces on display. There were silver band rings in several woven patterns and thick link chains that had alternating links of a satin finish and unique twisting patterns. But the thing that caught my eye was the display of cuff bracelets. One, in particular, was about two inches wide and made of several strands of textured silver wire twisted intothe most beautiful Celtic knot. My gram would have loved it so much.
“Gwen, could I see the Celtic knot cuff?”
She nearly ran around to the other side of the case so she could open it and hand me the cuff. It was weighty, but when I slipped it on my left wrist, it fit perfectly, sliding right on.
“Oh, sweetie, it was made for you! You have to have that. You know you do.”
I really did.
“How much is it? It has to be expensive.”
Gwen was about to tell me the price, but James interrupted her.
“For you, Ethan, it’s free today.”
I was happy for a second, then thought about it and took the gorgeous bracelet off.
“Jay, I’m not letting you buy me expensive presents. I love it, but I can live without it. I don’t want you to think I can’t take care of myself.”
I gave the bracelet back to Gwen and moved further down the case while Gwen and James spoke softly to each other. I looked at all the beautiful vintage and antique jewelry in all the cases, following all the way around until I was across from the case where the cuff was. I noticed James had stepped to the back, speaking to someone else who was working behind another bank of cases, and when I glanced back down, something caught my eye.
“Gwen, can I see this please?”
She came right over and opened up the case crowded with vintage brooches, chains, and my prize. I told her which item I wanted to see and her eyes lit up.
“You have a great eye, sweetie. That’s Victorian silver, and all the decoration was engraved by hand. I’m not sure what it was originally used for, but it’s a miracle it still has the original key.”
As the small silver lock was placed into my open palm, I knew this was mine. The little lock was less than an inch in length, with a simple Greek key pattern decorating all the way around. It was delicate, but not feminine, and I was in love.
“I’ll take it,” I blurted out but then realized I didn’t know if I could actually afford it. “Umm, how much is it?”
Gwen laughed, then patted my hand holding the lock and closed my fingers around it. You’re in luck. For twenty-five dollars, it’s all yours.”
Knowing that couldn’t be right, I started to protest, but then I noticed a sign inside the display where the lock had been and sure enough it readAll items $25, this case only.Pulling my wallet out of my pocket I paid her, then let her take the lock and wrap it in a little drawstring bag for me to keep it in. I had no idea what had drawn me to it, but I knew I had to have it.
