Ian shifted forward and set his coffee down on the table. “So, then, who is it you’re going to be living with?”
“Luna Moss.”
There was silence, too long for Davis to believe it was a coincidence.
“You finally convinced her, then. That’s good for you,” Ian said.
“We only want you to be happy, dear,” his mother said.
He didn’t know if he could take that at face value. “Well, I sent her a painting I found of a lovely backyard setting with white tables and chairs set up under an arbor of flowers. She mentioned having thoughts about our wedding, and since she’s very sensitive toward our wealth, she described her parents’ backyard for the venue.”
“How lovely.”
He shot a look at his mother. “Yes, it suits her.”
“Mm.”
“Luna wouldn’t dream of asking me to pay for the wedding, though I would do it in a heartbeat. I would give her the most lavish display anyone has ever seen, enough to rival every A list celebrity for the last century. It’s not what she wants. She has pride, and the father of the bride is meant to pay for the wedding. I’ll marry her wearing a brown paper bag if that’s what it takes.” Because he sensed where the level of dissent resided, he leveled a hard stare at his mother, who wouldn’t meet his eye. “She means everything to me, and I’d hate to have to make the choice she thinks I might.”
“Of course not, son,” Ian said. “I would pitch in if she’d allow it, if her father would concede, but I won’t push it. Whatever she wants is what she should get. She’s going to be the bride, after all.”
“Exactly what I was thinking.”
“Oh, Davis. That means you’re ready for the ring.” Ian was clearly excited, but Sophia remained very still and quiet on the couch.
The ring. The one that had been passed down for too many generations to count. Sophia currently wore the ring, but Healy tradition was that the mother of the eldest child picked out a new ring when it was time to pass down the antique.
It was a fortunate thing his ancestors couldn’t afford anything extravagant. Luna would never wear something as large as the Hope Diamond on her finger, so it was lucky it was much more tasteful than that.
“I’ve been ready for the ring for years. You’re in luck, Mom. Now, Dad has to take you shopping for a new one.”
Sophia merely nodded.
