Page 125 of One Reckless Night

“Uh, okay,” he said, sounding very unsure of himself.

I shook my head. Shawn was the very opposite of charismatic. I was going to have to give the guy some pointers. He was embarrassing.

“Look, I’m picking out a ring with Jared right now, and I figure since you’ve waited two years to ask me out, we might as well cut to the chase and move things along. How soon do you want to get married, because I could pick up a ring right now!”

I burst out laughing, unable to help myself. Shawn sputtered on the other end of the line, clearly flustered. Clair was clearly a woman fed up with the chase. She was ready to be caught.

“Clair, I—I didn’t mean⁠—”

“Relax, Shawn,” Clair said, her tone teasing. “I’m just messing with you. But seriously, six o’clock. Don’t be late. I’m a little irritated. Amelia’s getting a ring from Jared, and she’s known him half the time I’ve known you. The biological clock is real, Shawn. No more playing.”

She hung up, a satisfied smile on her face. I shook my head, still laughing. “You’re going to give him an aneurysm.”

“Lucky he’s a neurosurgeon, then,” she said, winking at me. “Besides, I’ve been waiting for him to come to terms with his feelings. And I have you to thank for that, Jared. Seeing you finally accept the fact that you’re not a total alpha jerk has given him the push he needed.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. Clair had a point. Shawn and I were more alike than either of us cared to admit, and if my relationship with Amelia had inspired him to finally make a move, then I was glad.

We turned our attention back to the rings, and after a few more minutes, I found it. The perfect ring. It was simple but elegant, with a sparkling diamond set in a delicate band. It was timeless, just like Amelia.

“This is it,” I said, my voice firm.

Clair nodded, her expression approving. “It’s perfect. She’s going to love it.”

“I hope so,” I said. “I never imagined it would be this hard.”

“Duh! This is a big deal. Do you know how you’re going to ask? Please don’t tell me you’re going to do it when her feet are in the stirrups, and she’s got a baby in her birth canal.”

I shot Clair a glare, though the corners of my mouth twitched. “No, Clair. I’m not that clueless. I’ve got a plan. A good one.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell.”

I hesitated, glancing around the shop as if someone might overhear. The sales associate was discreetly polishing a display case nearby, pretending not to listen. “I’m going to do something big and special. Well, not big, but special. Romantic. Maybe the beach. Or the lab.”

“So, you don’t know,” she said.

“I want it to be surprise,” I said.

“And you think I’m going to tell her,” she said.

I flashed a grin and motioned for the saleswoman to come over and open the case.

Clair watched as I pulled out my wallet, her smirk softening into something more genuine. “You’re really going all in, huh?” she said.

“Yep,” I replied without hesitation, handing over my card to the saleswoman.

Clair studied the case. “You know, Jared, for someone who used to have the emotional intelligence of a rock, you’ve come a long way.”

I shot her a look. “Thanks, I think.”

She laughed, elbowing me lightly. “I mean it. You’ve changed. And it’s not just because of Amelia. You’ve actually let yourself feel things. That’s huge for you.”

I shrugged, not sure how to respond to that. It wasn’t like I’d ever planned to stay closed off forever. Life had just pushed me that way. Gemma’s betrayal, the relentless pursuit of my career—it had all built up walls I hadn’t even realized were there until Amelia came crashing through them.

The saleswoman returned with the ring box, handing it to me with a professional smile. “Congratulations, Dr. Welch. I hope she says yes.”

“She’d better,” I said dryly, earning a laugh from both her and Clair.

Clair linked her arm through mine. “So, when’s the big moment?”