I text Ethan.
Lily: I need birthstones for everyone. You, Claire, your brothers, your dad, and any grandkids.
His response comes almost immediately. He quickly shoots off everyone’s birthstones.
Ethan: I know my mom would love the option to add more birthstones for potential new grandkids in the future, if possible.
Lily: Perfect. What about your mom's stone?
Ethan: October. Opal.
I send the information to the jeweler, along with a request to leave space for future additions. They confirm they can have it ready by Friday and will have a sketch for my approval in a few hours. It’s costly to rush, but Ethan approves the amount without a moment’s hesitation. I wonder exactly how much money this man has.
One gift down.
Next: the book.
I call the rare book shop Maya recommended. A man with a pleasantly gruff voice answers.
"Marcus here."
"Hi, Marcus. My name is Lily Preston. Maya gave me your number. I'm looking for a first edition ofPride and Prejudice."
"For yourself?"
"A gift."
"Budget?"
I hesitate. "What's the range?"
"For a true first? You're looking at anywhere from five to fifteen thousand, depending on condition."
I nearly drop the phone.
"That's... a lot."
"It's Austen," Marcus says, like that explains everything. "But I might have something for you. Come by this afternoon. I'll show you what I've got."
"Thank you. I'll be there."
I hang up and stare at my notes.
Fifteen thousand dollars. For a book.
This is insane.
But also kind of amazing. I can’t fathom what it would be like to create a piece of art that would be worth that much money.
I spend the next hour coordinating with caterers and florists, and by the time I finish, my brain feels like mush. After speaking with a local bakery about a birthday cake display and deciding to go with two smaller cakes and a dessert table full of cupcakes, cookies, fresh fruits and truffles, I stand and stretch. I need a break.
I wander out of the office and find Ethan in the living room, reading a medical journal.
"How's it going?" he asks, setting the journal aside.
"Good. The necklace is on track. And I have a lead on the book."
"That was fast."
