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"Oh, I have something for you," Aaron said, reaching into his suit jacket pocket.
He pulled out a small white box and handed it to me.
It was a jewelry box, but I needed clarification about what might be inside.
"What is this for?"
"Just open it, E," Aaron said, tapping his black boot playfully against my brown sandal.
Opening the box, I was stunned. Inside was a diamond ring. Not a fake one either, but a real diamond ring. It was white gold, with two small diamonds on either side of one ginormous diamond.
"Is this what I think it is?" I asked breathlessly.
My blood was pounding in my brain at the sight of it.
"It's our engagement ring. I thought it would make everything seem more genuine if you had one."
"And you just happened to have this gorgeous ring on hand?"
"I bought it last night, dummy. After your text about breakfast, I knew I had to get the ring as soon as possible. I had planned on going today and taking my time, but as soon as I saw that one, I knew you would love it. You do love it, don't you?"
I did. It was my dream ring. Aaron remembered that from our childhood, and it touched me inside in a way that I didn't want to think about. Something was brewing in my chest, but I ignored it. I had to ignore it. If I let myself feel what I truly felt, I might do something stupid, like kiss him.
"I do; I'm just stunned, is all. I didn't even think about rings," I admitted.
This just made our arrangement seem even more real. We were really doing this.
"Come on, we don't want to be late. I'll put your suitcase in my trunk while you enter the passenger seat. I'll only be a moment."
Aaron took my discarded suitcase and headed toward the trunk of his car as I made my way to the passenger side.
I got in his sports car and realized there was more room inside than there appeared to be on the outside. I stretched out my legs and set my small white purse between them. The seats were leather and surprisingly comfortable, but for how much he must have paid for this car, it had better be comfy.
"Alright, off to the club," Aaron said as he got in the driver's seat.
We made small talk as we drove to the club about twenty minutes from my condo. It was close to my parent's house since my dad and mom often visited the club. My mother enjoyed tennis and the pool, while my father golfed and smoked cigars with the men at the club. The country club life never appealed to me, but I had been required to attend when I was younger. I used to swim in the pool, but that was about as far into the club as I would go.
Aaron had been my plus one to the club a handful of times when we were in middle school, so he knew his way there. I remember playing Marco Polo in the pool while all the other kids stared at us like we were crazy.
The drive to the club was excellent. I loved catching up with my best friend, and I could take in his face without him catching me staring while he had to keep his eyes on the road.
His face was thinner than the last time I saw him, as was he, but he now had a more muscular tone. His cheeks still had a small splattering of freckles, but his eyebrows were perfectly plucked. He still took care of himself, and I liked that about him.
We finally made it to the club, and Aaron rushed out of the car, which was weird since they had valet service.
I sat back momentarily, wondering what he was doing, but my door opened, and Aaron's hand awaited me. He had gotten out to help me like the gentleman he was.
After I took his hand, he helped me out of his car before tossing his keys to the young valet driver.
"Keep her safe for me," Aaron said.
The young kid saluted him. "I promise she'll be safe and sound with me, sir."
By the giddy look on the kid's face, it was clear that he was impressed by Aaron's mode of transportation. I didn't know much about cars, but I knew Aaron's sports car was fast, and it was one I had never seen in person before.
Aaron just smiled at the kid before turning and pulling me towards the country club entrance, our hands still connected.
We weaved our way inside the club. I was surprised by how busy it was. It was just a Thursday morning, but the closer we got to the dining area, the more crowded it got.
