Three heartbeats pass in silence.
I blink, stare at myself in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, my eyes bright. I feel a little drunk—a little high. As nerve-racking as that was, it also felt liberating. I don’t have to be anything I don’t want. I don’t have to meet any expectations except my own.
People will just have to take me as I am. I cover my face with my hands, then spin away from the mirror and walk out, wishing I could talk to somebody. I pick up my phone to text Sebastian, but stop. What am I going to tell him? That I’ve argued with my internal voice? That sounds pretty crazy, although my head couldn’t be clearer and my heart is the lightest it’s ever been.
For our final date, Sebastian again refuses to tell me where we’re going. Instead of getting a limo, he picks me up in his Phantom. I climb inside, feeling the leather seat mold around my tense body. Anxiety, expectations and trepidation mix together into an intoxicating and scary cocktail.
“You look beautiful,” he says, pulling the Rolls into traffic.
“Thanks.” I smile. The golden dress I have on is an Avery Parker original that Yuna sent two days ago. Apparently, the dress “screamed my name” and she had to get it for me. I never told her that Liam’s milkshake wouldn’t come out, but she knew anyway.
The new dress fits perfectly, as though Avery had my exact measurements. Since the color is on the lighter side, I slipped on my favorite white stilettos with thin, delicate heels that I almost never find a good occasion to wear.
Sebastian looks amazing in his dark suit. I note his tie. “I thought the Eldredge knot was too complicated to bother with.”
“I thought of it—and you—this morning.”
I smile, amused at how much he must have cursed trying to master the new knot. “Are you trying to convince me?”
“Am I succeeding?”
“Not quite yet,” I say primly.
“I didn’t think a tie knot would do it.”
“But…?”
“But every little detail adds up. Show the woman I love what’s always in my heart, no matter how small the gesture.”
I have to smile. “Does this mean I’m not getting agrandgesture?”
“Do you want one?”
“No,” I say, shuddering. I grew up with grand gestures. Whenever Mom felt particularly unloved, Roderick had to do something big. “I’ll take the little daily stuff any time.”
We drive into the city. Eventually, Sebastian stops his car in front of Sebastian Jewelry’s flagship L.A. store. “What are we doing here?” I ask.
“We’re going to have our third date.”
“Are you giving me diamonds?” If so, I’ll be disappointed.
“No.” He takes my hand. There’s a sign outside stating the store’s closed for the day.
“You closed it for our visit?” I ask in shock. This is one of the biggest and most profitable Sebastian Jewelry retail locations in North America.
“Yes.”
He leads me inside the empty store, to a private room in the back. I’ve visited the store before—to check out the competition—but I’ve never been in this area. It’s a beautiful space with lots of reflective surfaces and lights. There are three huge display cases, a couple of plush black leather couches and a glass-top table.
“This is used for the VIPs who need privacy and discretion,” he explains. “Most of them are celebrities or foreign dignitaries.”
He takes me to the center display.
I look down and see designs familiar from the collaboration meeting. Earrings and necklaces with hydrangea motifs made with amethyst, iolite, sapphire and tourmaline in the most gorgeous purple sparkle under the lights. They couldn’t look more stunning. I close my eyes for a moment, picturing how a bride-to-be would look in our jewelry. She’d glow, like all women in love. And our jewelry would sparkle with her. Excitement bubbles. This launch in Korea is going to be amazing. I can feel it in my gut.
I open my eyes and smile at him. “They’re perfect. People are going to go crazy for them.”
His thumb brushes over my cheek. “You miss your work.”
