Page 45 of Return to the Island

“I found this one online. This little boutique shop makes these bracelets, and it seems pretty close to the original. I buy a new one once I see the old one is getting ratty or unraveling.”

I smiled broader. “Perhaps I need to speak to the owner about durability.” Tack chuckled.

“I never knew it was your company,” he said, his voice lowered. “I’ve been ordering them for a year, and I didn’t know it was you.”

“Didn’t you do your homework?” I admonished him.

“After I found the item, I asked my secretary to handle it. I never dug deeper.” He swiped a hand through his hair. “I’m such a fool.”

I reached for his forearm. “No more looking back,” I said and he smiled. He leaned forward to kiss me and pulled back with excitement in his eyes.

“Pick one,” he said, pointing to the case. I looked down to find it filled with rings. Diamond rings and matching earrings.

“Oh, I don’t have need for something like that,” I chuckled, choking back a lump in my throat. For some reason, looking at the extravagant items made me sad.

“Well, if you could pick one, what would it be?” His voice remained cheerful and I peered through the case. One ring was listed for nine thousand dollars, another was seven grand. I gasped.

“What?” he said, pressing a hand to my back.

“Those two are so expensive.” He slipped behind me with another laugh. “Just one,” he said, resting his chin on my shoulder. In the corner was a single solitaire, circular cut and a bit large, but simple.

“I like that one,” I said, pointing.

“It’s so small,” he chuckled, wrapping his arm around me.

“It’s perfect,” I said, my breath hitching when he kissed my neck.

“Hmm…you’re perfect.” He stepped back, took my hand and led me away from the cases—ring gazing over.