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“I’ll go fetch some more circular options,” Erin says, tucking her deep red hair behind her ear. She gives Sebastian a flirty little grin. “I like a man who knows his jewels.”
“Oh, come on,” Cooper says the second the door shuts behind her. “You don’t even like gingers!”
Seb laughs. “Maybe you’re trying too hard. You made eyes at her the moment we walked into the store.”
“And I was expecting an invite back to her apartment, which hopefully she shares with an equally hot roommate, but instead, she’s going to extend you that honor.”
“She’s a little old for you,” I say with amusement. “Either of you.”
“I can dig maturity,” Cooper says.
“Because you have none, so it’s a novelty to you,” Seb shoots back.
Cooper blinks, then bursts out laughing. I duck my head to hide my shit-eating grin. I’m going to miss this so much when I start my job. Teammates and friends are one thing, but nothing beats brothers.
“I’m still curious to see how you’re going to sell this to Dad,” Cooper says.
“Yes, I’m sure Richard will be thrilled,” Seb says, his tone a touch dry.
I just roll my eyes. Dad’s been a lot better about Bex, the more he’s gotten to know her, but they have a point. I’m sure he’s expecting us to date for a while longer before committing to each other. “He likes her a lot more now. He watched this photography documentary the other day and called her to talk about it.”
Seb settles against the couch, crossing his ankle over his knee. “It is soon for an engagement.”
Cooper nods as he takes a long sip of his drink. “I know we’re here and everything, but are you sure? It hasn’t even been a year.”
I just shrug. “Hey, when you know, you know.”
“Can’t imagine.”
“One day you will.”
Cooper sighs and helps himself to more bourbon. “Ever since you fell in love, you sound like Mom.”
“I love our mother, and therefore don’t see it as an insult.”
Erin sweeps back into the room, another case in her hands. “Forgive me,” she says. “But you did say that the budget is... flexible, so I had a bit of fun.”
She unveils another set of gorgeous rings, each with a big, circular cut diamond in the center. They’re all perfect in different ways, but my eye is drawn to one in the upper right corner—a big, but not flashy, flawless diamond, flanked on either side by sapphires.
“I’d like to see that one, please.”
Erin puts on gloves and carefully takes out the ring, holding it underneath a lamp so I see it catch the light. “It’s a gorgeous 2.5 carat, so it’s big without being too flashy, and the sapphires are of equal quality.”
“It’s beautiful.” I can imagine it on Bex’s finger. The diamond is classy, and the sapphires add a pop of color that reminds me of her. It’s fancy and special and exactly what she deserves. I’msure it’s expensive as hell, but it’s money I’d be glad to spend. She doesn’t like when I spoil her too much, but I can afford it, and who wants their fiancé to skimp on their engagement ring? “What do you think, guys?”
Erin shows Sebastian and Cooper the ring. She has that sultry smile on her face again as she addresses Seb. “Yes, what does our resident jewel expert think?”
“It’s stunning,” Cooper says, but he’s not looking at the ring. I nudge him apologetically. It’s true that he’s always had a weakness for gingers; he always stops when he’s channel surfing and spots an Isla Fisher movie. An overnight with a hot older redhead would be perfect to get him out of the funk he’s been in, but it seems like that’s not meant to be. The one consolation is that Seb would never sleep with a woman that Cooper is interested in.
“Very nice,” says Seb. “What’s the band? Platinum?”
Erin leans forward, clasping her free hand on Sebastian’s knee. “Yes. You know, most of the guys who come in here don’t know a thing about jewelry.”
“You sure she won’t think the sapphires are too much?” Seb asks me, politely moving her hand off his knee.
“I think it’s just indulgent enough I can get her to accept it, but not so much that she’ll think she doesn’t deserve it,” I say.
Erin settles the ring back into the case, seemingly unruffled by Seb’s subtle rejection. “You are the sweetest. My dad is a huge Eagles fan, he’s going to flip when he hears I helped you out today.”
