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I smirk. “Actually, it’s for a woman.” My fucking woman.
She grudgingly turns her disdainful appraisal on my best friend before snapping her hateful gaze back at me. “Are you helping your fiancé pick out your own ring?”
I’d bet my life this bitch is as bigoted as she is haughty.
Well, let me blow your world as I let my pride flag fly. “No, this is a ring for the girl I want to propose to.” I jack my thumb at Caleb. “This here is my best friend. He’s only joining me for moral support.”
“Yeah, and I’ve got a boyfriend. I don’t suppose you’ve got a problem with both of us being in a same sex relationship? I’d hate to have to spread the news that this here establishment doesn’t cater to the LGBTQ+ community. Ain’t that right, Essie?”
I nod adamantly. “Oh yes, I would hate to do that, in Austin especially. You know how big and powerful our community is here.” We both nod as we stare daggers into this hateful woman.
She’s saved when a much older man appears. “Excuse me,” he offers his hand first to me and then Caleb. “I apologize for any rudeness or inconvenience. This establishment has always been all inclusive.” He gives his cohort a dirty look that has her huffing before she turns on her heel and rushes away. Once she’s gone, he apologizes again. “She’s new, and it seems she’s not as good of a fit as I had hoped. I’m Jonathan.” He turns to the only other employee, a man that appears to be a good twenty years his junior and extremely attractive, like movie star hot. “And this is my husband, Manuel.”
Manuel hurries over with a big, gorgeous smile to also shake our hands. “Did I overhear that you’re looking for an engagement ring for your girlfriend?”
Oh, he’s sassy. I think we’ll get on just fine.
Jonathan beams. “I’m sure Manny can help with absolutely everything you need. Congratulations!”
I chuckle. “Thank you.”
Manny slides his arm through mine. “Now, tell me every little thing about your girl.”
Much to Caleb’s dismay, we spend a good hour in the jewelry store. Mostly gossiping between me harping on and on about every little thing I adore about Sakura.
After everything, Manny hands me a ring with a flourish. “I couldn’t have imagined a better ring!” I shriek before I thrust it in Caleb’s face. “Look! It’s a hummingbird!”
The ring is a platinum band that gradually turns into tail feathers on one side and the head and wings of a hummingbird on the other. A row of seven diamonds goes up its head, the eyes are two more diamonds, and the wings cradle a large sapphire. It’s absolutely stunning and perfect for my sweet girl.
Caleb’s annoyance quickly disperses as it’s replaced with awe and glee. “It really is perfect, ain’t it?”
Long after Manny rings us up and I’m heading home to spend another glorious night with my baby girl, my smile still takes up half my face.
My phone rings, and the center console alerts me that it’s her. My smile grows even bigger.
I hit the Bluetooth speaker. “Hey, baby girl. I was just thinking about you and how much I miss you.” Even if I did see her not two hours ago. “When are you coming over?”
Silence stretches between us, and I worry I’ve lost the call when she pipes up. Her voice is strained, and it puts me on high alert. “Yeah, that’s why I’m calling. I’m afraid I have dinner plans with my parents.”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel, but I swallow what I really want to say about her parents. That they need to cut the umbilical cord and let her go once and for all.
“That’s okay, baby, do you think you could come by after?” There’s a sniffle alerting me to the fact that she’s crying. “Sakura, what’s wrong?”
“I didn’t want to do this over the phone… fuck! I don’t want to do this at all.” More sniffling, followed by a gasp.
“Do you need me to come get you? I will even if I have to climb a tree to sneak in through your window. Hell, I’ll break down the front door if I have to.”
This time a muffled sob escapes. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Now that’s just not true. Nobody has ever made me as happy as you do.”
A loud sob this time. “You make me so fucking happy, and I love you so much. I hope you never forget that.”
I laugh, but it’s skin deep as my insides do somersaults. “Fuck, sweet girl, you’re killing me.”
“I’m so sorry, Estrella. I never wanted to do this. Just know that if it were up to me I’d always pick you. But it’s not…”
What the hell is she talking about? “Just spit it out, Sakura.”
