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“Really?” Nia, her sister-in-law, countered and wrinkled her nose. “I always saw her as more of a marquise kind of girl.”
“What about emerald cut?” someone else broke in. “That’s what Gray got me, and I just adore it.”
“How important is clarity to you, Luke?”
“What are your thoughts on other jewels besides diamonds?”
“Do you want the wedding band and engagement ring to wrap together as a set or be two separate bands?”
“Ooh, have you considered rose gold for the band? I really like rose gold.”
“Oh…my God,” I uttered, my gaze shifting toward Teagan so she would know I was going to make her suffer for putting me through this.
She offered me an apologetic cringe as the others grabbed my arms and dragged me into the jewelry store.
* * *
Half an hour later,I was hiding in the corner, slumped in a chair, and playing a game on my phone when someone sat next to me.
I glanced up, annoyed and pretty sure it was going to be Teagan or one of the others again with more brain-numbing questions about price limits andwhatever. But it was actually my mom.
“Hey!” I said in surprise, straightening as an instant smile overtook my face. “I didn’t know you got dragged into this too.” Leaning forward, I pressed a warm kiss to her temple in greeting.
“Dragged?” she repeated in dismay. “I washonoredto get to participate.”
“Well, hell,” I answered. “If I’d known that, I would’ve asked you instead of T. Maybe it wouldn’t have turned into such a circus.”
Mom laughed. “I adore the circus. I wish Chloe could see everyone arguing about what they think she’d like most. She’d get quite a kick out of it.”
“You know, you’re right. She would.” Sliding the screen of my phone out of the game app, I opened the camera and started taking a video of the noise and commotion, pausing on Nia who was arguing with Skylar about something and using these big, flourishing hand gestures toward the glass counter in front of them. “I’ll show her this after the proposal.”
I spent a full minute panning the shop so Chloe would be able to see everyone who was involved and how they were grouped up in pairs and shopping in different areas, only to call someone over after a few seconds to seethis one. They were truly invested in getting something Chloe would like.
“They’re offering us free champagne while we shop too,” Mom told me as soon as I stopped filming and lowered the phone. “I feel so posh and important right now.”
I laughed and glanced over at her. “Except you don’t drink,” I mentioned. I think I could count on one hand the number of times I’d seen my mother consume alcohol.
“Youdo, though,” she countered and lifted a tulip glass to me in offering.
“Oh, God bless you,” I breathed and snatched the champagne from her hand, only to gulp it down in one long drag.
Mom laughed as she watched. “You always make me laugh. I think that’s your special charm, you know. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t my happy boy anymore.” Reaching out to clutch my arm, her smile turned sad. “I love Chloe, you know. She’s like one of my own children. And nothing would thrill me more than to see you settle down with her, but are yousureyou can be happy with this decision? I know Pick pushed you. And I will not approve of any marriage you enter into unless you genuinely think it’ll keep you as my bright, happy boy.”
“Jesus, Mom,” I grumbled with a sigh. “Not you too.”
“Me the most,” she assured. “Because I know the man you come from. And you have Quinn’s noble streak in you, whether you like it or not.”
I snorted because I was nothing like my father.
Dr. Quinn Hamilton was a brilliant renowned cardiovascular surgeon who saved lives on a daily basis. He was quiet and kind, compassionate, infinitely patient, and the most steady, reliable presence I’d ever known. He was basically the antithesis of me.
“Did you know,” Mom spoke up when I didn’t reply soon enough. “I was the one who helped your father pick out the first engagement ring he ever bought.”
I sent her a sideways glance and kicked up one eyebrow. “He made you pick out your own ring?”
She gave a small laugh and shook her head. “No. This ring was for someone else.”
Okay. Nowthatwoke me up. “Say what now?” I demanded. “No fucking way. Dad was engaged to someone before you?”
