Then I added, “Do you have it in pink?”
The attendants burst into delighted laughter.
“See? He loves it.”
Lane grinned and ducked back behind the curtain.
By the time we left that store, three large shopping bags hung from my arm, and Lane walked beside me, looking flushed and pleased with himself.
We wandered further through the mall, Lane pausing every few windows to admire displays while I let him tug me along at whatever pace he liked.
Eventually, he slowed in front of a jewelry store.
Lane’s gaze drifted over the window. “Ooh, pretty,” he murmured softly.
I followed his line of sight. “Want to look?” I asked.
Lane nodded. “Yes, Daddy. Maybe they’ll have some pearls.”
An image of him on our wedding night flashed in my head.
I could do with a repeat.
Inside, the store was calm and refined, glass cases lining the room. A well-dressed associate looked up. “Welcome.”
The man did a double-take, a flicker of surprise crossing his expression before settling into a look of warm professionalism.
If I had to guess, I’d say he’d mistaken Lane for a woman on first glance. Luckily for him and his bodily safety, it didn’t appear to bother the associate, as he stepped closer to the display cases with a friendly smile. “Is there something specific you’d like to see?”
Lane glanced at the jewelry with quiet fascination, his fingers curling slightly around my arm.
“Something delicate,” I said. “Gold suits him better than silver. Oh, and if you have any pearls, please.”
The associate nodded. “Of course.”
He unlocked a case and brought out a tray lined with soft cream velvet containing several gold pieces.
Lane leaned closer, studying them carefully. “Oh, that one,” he said, making heart-eyes at a slender gold chain necklace with a small pearl pendant.
“Would you like to try it on?”
Lane nodded happily. “Please.”
The associate moved behind him, carefully lifting his hair away from his neck before fastening the clasp. Lane turned toward the mirror on the counter. The pearl rested perfectly at the hollow of his throat, just below his collarbone.
His fingers came up to touch it lightly. “It’s so pretty,” he breathed.
I watched his reflection in the mirror, then glanced at the price tag.Not bad.
“We’ll take that one,” I said.
Lane’s eyes widened. “Grey—”
“And the bracelet next to it,” I added calmly, admiring the classic strand of pearls that would look perfect on his wrist.
Lane looked up at me with that soft, adoring expression he got when I indulged him. “You spoil me,” he said.
“I do,” I purred.
