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“Is that what they’re supposed to do? Call to you?” he asks.
“Shouldn’t I feel some kind of connection to the ring?” I ask him.
“How would I know? I thought blokes walked in and picked the first ring within their price range that looked more expensive than what they actually paid,” he tells me. Maybe he isn’t the best wingman for this job.
“My gramps always told me the story about the ring he bought for my nana. He had to travel to a few different stores and even some that were a few towns over because nothing was calling to him. He happened to drive past a jeweller when he was coming back from his brother’s place a couple hours drive away and he thought why not, so he stopped. He said as soon as he laid eyes on the ring, he knew in his bones it was the one,” I tell Niko.
“Well, what did the ring look like? You could get her something similar,” Niko suggests, and a light bulb goes off in my head.
“Niko! You genius,” I all but shout.
“I am?”
“Yes. I know the perfect ring. Let’s go,” I tell him, turning and walking towards the exit.
“You aren’t gonna buy one?”
“No, I already have the perfect ring. It’s at my house.”
“You do?” he scratches his head, as he replies.
“Yeah. I’ll show you,” I tell him, as he follows me out of the store.
“How do you already have a ring at home? Did you forget you had it?” he asks, as he moves into step beside me.
“It’s the ring. The one my gramps bought for my nana,” I tell him, smiling.
“Oh, jeez Renz. Now you’re going to give this woman a family heirloom?” he questions.
“Yep,” is all I say.
“What if it all gets messed up and you end up losing one of the only heirlooms you have?”
I stop in my tracks and turn to him.
“I’m serious about marrying this woman. If she agrees to marry me, even though we both know it’s about the craziest thing in the world, I don’t plan on letting her go. Ever. She’s it for me.” I look him straight in the eye waiting for him to realise how serious I am about this girl.
“Okay then. I was just double checking to make sure you were deadly serious, you know. It’s what a good friend would do.”
“I know man. To clarify, you’re not a good friend, you’re the greatest.”
“Well come on then, let's go look at this ring and get the girl of your dreams,” he says, with a smile on his face and a pat on the back.
Chapter Fourteen
Lorenzo
The night of the party has arrived, and I’ve changed my shirt several times today due to the sweat patches under my arms. It feels like I have run a marathon, and nothing is helping me to cool down and stop sweating. Niko has arrived at my place so he can give me a ride to the party. I had to go into Holden’s office yesterday and sign the agreement. His smug smile confused me. I know he’s up to something, but I have no idea what. He looked like the cat who got the canary and a whole bowl of milk. I wish I could wipe the smug look off his face, but if this is the way to get my chance with Sophia, I’m not backing out.
There was no mention again of me finding my needle in a haystack but if he’s referring to Sophia, wouldn’t it be theopposite? The woman couldn’t blend in if she tried. It’s as if she was born to stand out, especially with her fiery red hair. Anyway, I’ve pushed the thoughts of his words to the back of my mind while I’ve gotten changed into my suit. Well, half a suit. I only have my pants on as I didn’t want to sweat through yet another shirt before we left my apartment.
“I’m sure any woman would fall to her knees and accept a proposal from you topless, but I think you’re gonna have to put a shirt on so we can leave. We are going to a classy joint and you might get arrested for indecent exposure,” Niko jokes.
“I know. I’ll finish dressing and then we need to leave in case my white shirt suffers the same fate,” I tell him, as I walk into my room. The newly ironed shirt sits on the hanger. I grab the towel I used for my shower and dry my back and chest one last time, to be safe. The towel lands in my laundry basket with a thud then I shrug into my pristine crisp shirt and button it up and finish off the look with my grey suit jacket.
Checking myself over in the mirror I say, “You’ve got this Lorenzo,” before snatching the black velvet box off my bedside table. My thumb pushes the lid up to glance over the ring one last time. It’s a slim gold band with a single ruby sitting in the centre, surrounded by a row of diamonds down each side. My nana loved it and never took it off. I hope Sophia feels the same. With a snap, the box closes, and I push it into my front pocket before joining Niko at the front door.
“Let’s do this,” I say, as he raises his hand for a high five. My palm slaps his and I add, “You’re gonna need to drive with the windows down so I don’t sweat through this whole suit. I’ve never been so nervous in my life.” I grab the two invites to the party from the kitchen bench as we leave.
