“Uh, I want to buy Torre a Christmas present.”
“Okay, and you want my input?”
I could only imagine what he, with his sappy romantic heart, would suggest. Then again, considering what I was planning, I should shut up.
“No, I want something I saw in your store last week.”
“Oh, sure. What?”
“Uh, that fede ring. The gold one you had in the showcase.”
Silence.
I shook my phone. “Hello? Are you there?”
“A ring?” His strained voice didn’t fool me, but I wouldn’t—I couldn’t get into it with him.
“Yes. It’s the one with the hands clasped—”
“You do realize I know my merchandise. Intimately. I bought that ring from the estate of an Italian opera singer. He’d given it to his lover on their fiftieth year together, and when marriage equality passed in New York, he used it in that ceremony. His husband died two years ago, and he died a year after.” He sniffled and I braced myself. “I knew it was special when I purchased it, but I never suspected—”
“Can we cut this stroll down memory lane? Is it possible for you to get the ring to me tonight?”
“Tonight?” Presley squawked.
“Ow.” I rubbed my ear. “I think you broke the sound barrier. Good thing you and Nate have a private house if those are the noises you make.”
“I see being in a relationship hasn’t changed you completely.”
“And you love me for it.”
“Yes, I do,” he said softly. “I have a messenger service I use for people who need immediate deliveries. I’ll send it in about an hour.”
“Thanks. I knew I could count on you.”
“Always and forever.”
Not only had I hit the jackpot with Torre as my lover, but Presley was the brother of my heart.
“Merry Christmas, Press.”
“Merry Christmas, Frisco, I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I rested my head on my knees for I didn’t know how long before I heard a knock on the door.
“Frisco? Babe? You okay?”
I ran the heels of my hands over my eyes and blinked several times. “Yeah. Be down in a sec. Did you bake all the cookies without me?”
Searching my face for any telltale signs and finding none, I opened the bathroom door with a smile.
“What’s wrong?” Torre asked sharply, his eyes raking over me.
I’d forgotten how perceptive Torre was.
“Nothing. Can’t a man go to the bathroom without an inquiry?” I kissed him. “Tell me you didn’t leave that child alone in my kitchen,” I murmured in his ear.
