“And if in the future you need more jewelry of any kind, then you come to us.”
I smiled at her.“Of course.”I had a thought.“Oh, and can you do me a favor and not tell my husband I bought this?I want to surprise him later.”
She smiled and then covertly looked at Stefan and the man he was talking to.Then she grabbed something off the table and wrapped it around my wrist.“If he asks what you bought, then you show him this.”She fastened the clasp, and I saw what she'd put on my wrist.It was a beautiful, braided gold bracelet.
“Oh, okay.How much is it?”I asked, really, really, really sure I definitely didn't have enough money for this.It was beautiful.
She shook her head.“For you?Nothing.Just take care of your new husband.He's a good man.”Then she stuck her hand out.“I'm Renata, by the way.I should have introduced myself earlier.”
I shook her hand and said, “I'm Francesca.”
She squeezed my hand in hers.“Nice to meet you, Francesca.You're a very lucky woman.I hope you know that.”
She let go of my hand.“I know exactly how lucky I am.Thank you for the bracelet.And the ring,” I whispered.Stefan shook hands with the man and started walking over.
“What did you buy, wife?”Stefan asked playfully.He seemed happy.Pleased, even.
I held out my wrist for him to see.
“Very nice.You have great taste.But I already knew that.”He grinned at me and gave me a quick kiss.Then he thanked Renata for her help, and we went on our way.
We walked around for a long time.I picked up a few small things, and then we stopped to watch some street performers.
I had a lot of fun.We were sitting on a bench, listening to a musician sing and play on his guitar.Stefan translated the low, mournful words to me.It was about love found—and love lost.
Pretty typical love song material.But the words—and the musician's voice—touched me.I felt myself get all teary for the real—or imaginary—couple it was about.
Stefan noticed and pulled me closer.He kissed the top of my head and pulled something out of his pocket.“These are for you,” he whispered and handed me a small, white jewelry box.
“You didn't have to get me anything,” I said, suddenly feeling annoyed.
Stefan gave me a stern look.“I know that.”
I sighed and held up the box.“But you did it, anyway.”
He inhaled deeply, “Are you going to start this again?”
I rolled my eyes and handed the box back to him.“Are you?”I said a little sassier than I'd intended.“We were having a perfectly nice time.And then you do this.”I handed the box back to him.
He'd barely taken the box back from me when he stood.“Get up,” was all he said sharply.“We're going.”
Good grief.
“Fine,” I said, assuming we were going back to the car.It was too bad that this was how he wanted the day to end.It wasn't even lunchtime yet.
“Francesca,” Stefan said from behind me.
I turned to see his hand grab mine.“This way.”And then he started walking in the opposite direction from the parking lot.
I pointed that out.“The car's that way.”
He looked down at me with a murderous glare.“I know where the car is, Francesca.Thank you,” he said sarcastically.
Yikes.
We walked for maybe half a block until we came to a fancy-looking hotel.When he turned to open the front door—I didn't ask any questions.Maybe there was a restaurant in here.Or he had to use the restroom.
Nope.
