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Chapter 13
This week was one of the best weeks of my life. I didn’t even care that my chief exploded in my face when I told him about the birthday dinner. How could I? I got to spend every day with Mila to take her on my patrol rounds for her internship.
Of course we had sex. Every chance we got. In the back of my truck, in the woods, and even in some dark alley in the middle of the day after we caught a lost raccoon in some dumpster. I pressed her right against that brick wall, pulled her pants and panties down, and took her right there. She absolutely loved it. Begged for more and more.
It wasn’t all about sex though. We also had lunches and a few early dinners. And as crazy as it sounded to a man like me, I enjoyed them just as much, if not even more. We talked about God and the world, sports, and funny online videos. No matter where we went, we made the place ours, forgot about the world around us, and had the most amazing time together.
Not today, though. Today, I dropped her off at the university early under false pretenses that I had to work when in reality, I was standing in a jewelry shop looking for something for her birthday. It was a small, local shop that smelled of cheap perfume. Its old, solid-wood chairs and glass counters were way outdated. But I knew their gold was pure, not that made-in-China shit that was all over the internet.
“Are you looking for something specific?”
I looked up at a young woman. She was the only one working in the store today and was maybe a few years younger than me, and not bad on the eye. Tall, nice curves, and cute face. But I wasn’t even slightly interested. My thoughts were taken by only one woman.
“I’m looking for a gift for my girlfriend.”
She nodded, a hint of disappointment in her smile. “It must be serious then?”
“What?”
“Well, you’re looking at engagement rings.”
Goddamn it, Noah! Youarelooking at rings! Why the hell would you be looking at rings?
My gaze dropped back to the selection of glittering diamond rings, and, for a moment, my mind wandered to the crazy idea of a life with Mila. A real one. As a family. I saw her moving around our house, the house I would give her. A warm feeling spread through my chest, picturing her coming home from work to make jokes about the horrible food I’d prepared for dinner.
Maybe the chief was right—maybe I was losing my mind.
I moved away from the rings and walked through the store. “Anything you can recommend for a birthday gift?”
“Well, is it serious?”
I froze with a frown. What kind of tasteless question was that?
“Yes, very.”
The woman nodded, mumbled something that sounded like "too bad,” then walked me over to a vitrine with gold-chained bracelets.
“These sell really well. You can even put a personal note on them.”
I scanned the golden chains and pointed at one that had Mila written all over it. It was slim, solid with links.
The woman took it out and placed it on the counter. “That one is quite popular. A local jeweler named Julia Winston makes them. I think it’s the last one, and there won’t be any more coming in.”
I reached for my credit card. “I’ll take it.”
The woman nodded, walked a few steps to the register, and scanned the tag.
“We can engrave something for no extra charge.”
I scratched my chin. I’d never done anything like this before, especially not with a personal note.
MaybeHappy Birthday?
Oh, come on now, that’s all you can come up with for your girl?
It had to be something special without being too forward while at the same time letting her know how much I cared for her. She didn’t know it yet, but our situation was going to get messy. One way or the other.
“What about...” I said, staring at the bracelet while scratching my chin. “Love...always...wins?”
