Wills’s eyebrow rose. “Theo?”
I ran my palm over his biceps. “I’ll tell you when we get home, babe.”
“How may I help you gentlemen today? We have a very nice selection of ID bracelets, as well as cuff links, lapel pins, tiepins, tie clips…”
“We’re interested in wedding rings.”
“Oh! How romantic! Let me show you…” He unlocked the cabinet beside the chains and withdrew a tray. “We’re finding there’s a demand for matching men’s rings. These are pricey, I’ll grant you, but when you’re making a commitment like this…”
Wills looked into my eyes and smiled. “We’re only getting married once, so I’d say price doesn’t really matter. What do you think about this one?” He pointed to a two-tone ring with diamonds, and Mason took it out of the tray to display it.
“A very nice choice, sir. Eighteen karat, two-tone gold. The outer edges, which are rounded to ensure the utmost in a comfortable fit, are white gold, and eight diamonds are set in the yellow gold, twisted rope center.”
It was the most expensive one on the tray. “Pretty. But as Mason said, expensive. Are you sure, babe?”
“I’m sure; I think you’re worth it, but it’s your choice. Do you like it?”
I had to clear my throat. “Yes.” I didn’t want to embarrass him by gushing, but I loved it.
“See if it fits.”
“Hmm.” It slid on easily, but a very slight tug brought it back over my knuckle. “It’s a little loose.”
“We can have that resized and have it ready for you by the end of the week.”
“I want it engraved.” Wills grinned at me, took a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Mason. “This is what I want on it, in cursive writing if that can be done?”
“Yes, but it will take a little longer, I’m afraid.” Mason read it, his expression becoming wistful.
“Not a problem.”
“It’s a line from ‘Isn’t it Romantic’? It is, isn’t it? C’mon, tell me.”
The corner of Wills’s mouth crooked in a grin that was supposed to be innocent, but didn’t fool me for a minute. “Delayed gratification, babe. You don’t want me to spoil the surprise for you, do you?”
“Hmph. Fine. Be like that.” I glanced over the rings, frowning. “You said you have one that matches?”
“Of course. This one right here. If you’ll try it on?” He offered it to Wills, but I took it from him before my lover could.
Wills immediately held out his hand, smiling a little as I slid it onto his ring finger. “A perfect fit.” He rubbed his thumb over the diamond center.
“Yes, it is.” I took his hand and rubbed my thumb over his. “And I want to have something engraved in it.”
“Do you, babe? ‘Love always, Theo’?” His eyes were lit with pleasure, and he touched that spot over his heart where the charm hung.
“I’m not gonna tell you. So there.” I stared into his eyes, the perfect idea coming to me from out of the blue. “Do you have a piece of paper?” I asked Mason. I printed out the words, folded the paper in two, and handed it back to him. “Thanks.”
Making sure that Wills couldn’t see what I’d written, Mason unfolded the paper, gave a little smile, and folded it again. “In cursive, also?”
“Well, I’d like Old English, but I don’t think there’s enough room.”
“What are you planning, babe?”
“That’s for me to know, and you to find out.”
“I haff my vays of making you talk, you know.” He pretended to put a monocle in his eye.
Mason swallowed a smile. “As I said, this will take a couple of weeks, and I’ll call you as soon as they’re ready.”
After giving him the deposit and getting a receipt for the rings, we left Mount Olympus.
“I’m starved,” Wills murmured.
“So am I. We’re not really dressed for Raphael’s though.”
“That wasn’t exactly what I meant.”
“Oh, no?” If we weren’t in public, I’d have kissed him.
“No.”
“Well, what do you say to pizza?” I raised a questioning eyebrow. “The Pizza Place isn’t too far from here.”
“Sounds like a good idea. We can take it home, have an early dinner, and…”
“…spend the rest of the evening practicing being married?”
“Now, that’s exactly what I meant!”
We limped through the next day with satisfied grins on our faces, and stayed within touching distance of each other, even when we made calls to our families to let them know our plans. Miss Su didn’t seem to mind as long as we remembered to include her in our cuddling.
For dinner, I made broiled leg of lamb with a red wine sauce, and served it with tiny green beans, tomatoes Proven? al, and butter-fried potatoes.
“I’m stuffed, babe.” Wills, sprawled in his chair, patted his flat stomach and finished the last drops of the Cabernet Sauvignon we’d drunk with dinner, leaving a ruby drop on his upper lip.