“I have to agree with you there.”
“Okay. Here. We. Go. I have these two. Simple, tasteful. And this one.” Xeni watched Mason as he skipped right over the plain, but elegant white and yellow gold bands. He picked up the third option and examined it closely.
“What’s this one made of?”
“The outside is titanium and the inside is lined with wood from an old whisky barrel. Not Scotch, but close.”
“Oh babe,” Xeni said as Mason’s eyes lit up. He slid it on to his thick ring finger and she was positive he was this close to a spontaneous orgasm. “Do you like it?”
“I’ve wondered what my purpose in life was and it turns out I was born to wear this ring.”
“We’ll let you wear that out of the store,” Julie-Pam chuckled, before she turned to Xeni. “Now let’s get you squared away. Are we just doing a band for you or—”
“Okay, yeah. I think I’m a little overwhelmed.” For a small-town jewelry store, their bridal section was huge. She knew what she liked, but the truth was Xeni had never owned any fancy jewelry. Her parents had given her a charm bracelet for her sixteenth birthday, but the rest of her stuff was from Target or the racks near the check out at Old Navy. She’d never picked out grown folks jewelry before.
Xeni glanced up at Mason as his fingers caressed the back of her neck. “If you want a diamond, I’ll get you a diamond. I came into a little money recently.”
“Pssht. You know I want a diamond.”
“How about this?” Julie-Pam reached into the case and pulled out a gorgeous diamond engagement ring with a matching band. “I think this matches your style and your energy.”
“What do you know about my energy, Julie-Pam?” Xeni teased, before looking closer at the rings. “Damn, she’s right.”
“That’s a cushion cut with diamond halo and they are calling that pretty band a Marquise and Dot. Both are set in white gold. Gorgeous, isn’t it?”
“May I?” Xeni asked before snatching up both rings.
“Of course.”
“Ah, allow me.” Mason gently picked up the rings and took Xeni’s hand. She saw the look in his eyes. She knew he was about to say some sweet as hell shit that would make her knees melt, but she was still a fragile mess and now was not the time. She pointed at him with her free hand and fixed him with a hard stare.
“I swear if you make me cry in front of our new friend Julie-Pam…”
Then this asshole got down on one knee. He didn’t say a word, just slid the rings onto her finger. They were a tiny bit loose, but Xeni didn’t care. Mason stood, brushing his lips against her cheek, before he whispered in her ear.
“I cannot wait until you fuck me in the ass later.”
The sputtering snort that came out of Xeni was inhuman. Mason winked at her and turned back to Julie-Pam. “Is debit, okay?”
* * *
As Mason ushered Xeni through the entrance to Szechuan Garden, they almost walked right into Deborah. The cranky town clerk took a step back and gave them both a stern look.
“Glad to see this lasted the weekend,” she said.
“Thank you again for officiating,” Mason replied. Xeni shouldn’t have been shocked by his politeness. He was kind to everyone, but as Deborah muttered her “you’re welcome” and excused herself, Xeni realized something else. She’d share it with Mason when she felt Deborah was at least one hundred yards out of earshot.
“Welcome! Dining in or taking out, Mr. McInroy?” A young Asian woman said from behind the bar.
“In. Thanks, Rosemary. Xeni, this is Mei’s other daughter. Rosemary, this is my wife.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Your aunt was one of my favorites. We miss her a lot.”
“Thank you.”
“Right this way.” Rosemary led them through the half-full restaurant. It was some of the best take-out Xeni had had since she got to town. No surprise the place was live and bumping before five p.m.. Rosemary left them with their menus and went right back to grab their drinks.
When they were alone, Xeni said, “Deborah’s a witch too.”
