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I was on conference calls for much of the workday. By the time it was over, Ray and the kids were ready to eat. “How about I take you all to dinner?” Ray offered.
“Heck, yes,” Kyra said. “Thank you, Ray, for making the desk and shelves.” Kyra gave him a hug.
“You’re welcome. I’m here for you guys,” Ray said proudly.
We ate at an Italian restaurant, then came back to my place and watched television with the kids. Ray and I snuggled on the couch while the kids lounged on the floor. He reached for my right hand and fiddled with the ring I kept on my ring finger. “That’s pretty. How long have you had that?”
He was referring to the tenth-anniversary ring I had received from the company. “Oh, thanks. I’ve had it a few years now. It was a gift from the company for my ten-year anniversary.”
“Ten years?”
“Yep,” I said.
He examined it more closely. “Is that a ruby and diamonds?”
“Ten diamonds—one for each year.”
“You like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Flashy stuff? You like big jewelry or the subtle kind?”
“I honestly don’t like jewelry that much. Well, I take that back. I do have an appreciation for jewelry, but I guess just not the flashy kind. I would be too afraid of losing it or something stupid happening.”
“But you wear that one?” he asked curiously.
“Yes. I guess because it meant a lot to me to receive it. The company saved me. They hired me as a customer service rep even though they knew I was pregnant. I had insurance to pay for Kyra’s birth. It was my passage to being an adult. I’m proud and thankful.”
He nodded. “Can I see it for a second?”
I slipped it off my finger and handed it to him. He playfully checked to see if it fit his pinky. It reached the first knuckle.
I laughed.
“Well, guess we can’t share jewelry,” he joked, handing it back to me. He slipped it on my right ring finger, lifted both my hands, and pressed them together. He examined them for a few moments.
“What are you doing?”
“Just checking if your fingers are the same size on each of your hands.”
“Okay.” I was about to ask why he was so interested when Max interrupted.
“I’m hungry. Can I have ice cream and cookies?” Max asked.
“Oh, that sound good. Me, too?” Kyra asked.
“Me, too?” Ray added.
I rolled my eyes and said exasperatedly, “Fine. I will dish you all some ice cream and bring you cookies.”
The next afternoon while I was working, Lucas, of all people, appeared on my doorstep. “Hi, Cass,” he said before inviting himself in. We hugged. What in the world was Ray’s son doing here? I eyed him suspiciously.
“Hi, Lucas,” I finally said.
“Dad asked me to take a look at Kyra’s room and see if I can help with the remodel,” he offered.
“Oh.” I blinked. “Ray didn’t mention it to me.”
