Page 38 of Just One Spark

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close."We need this to look real.And this is the best way to do it."

I wanted to protest, but he was already pulling open the door to the new jewelry store.Inside, the bell rang overhead, broadcasting our arrival.

A woman looked up from the jewelry she was polishing and asked, "Can I help you?"

"We're looking for an engagement ring," Rowan said easily.

My palm was sweating.

She smiled."I’m sure I can find something that’s perfect.”

We sat at a table next to each other, and she pulled out a tray of different options to pinpoint my style.I felt a little awkward picking out my own ring for my fake engagement.Should I pick a small one so that it was not expensive?I should let Rowan take the lead on this since it was his idea.

"I think that it should be understated yet sparkly."Rowan looked at me while he described my ideal ring, which was surprisingly accurate.

The woman pulled out another tray with a few more options.

My heart beat faster as I looked over each one.

"Go ahead.Try them on," the lady encouraged me.

I took a deep breath and pulled out the first one.I slid the simple circular diamond on my finger.It was surprisingly heavy, and it sparkled in the overhead lights.

Rowan shifted closer."The band is plain.I think I like the ones with diamonds."

"Since when did you become an expert on diamond rings?"I asked him.

"When I got engaged," he said, his voice rough.

Why did my heart stutter over his statement?It would be too easy to believe that this was real.That this was my ring.But it wasn't.He wasn't my fiancé, and this wasn't my diamond.

I tried on another that had a rectangular shape with diamonds on the band.

The woman smiled."I can tell by the look on your face that you don't like that one."

I pulled it off."I think it's the shape."

"Some people love that style, and others don't.We'll find the one that feels right."

I looked over at Rowan, whose gaze was on the array of rings in front of us.My heart squeezed at the attention he was giving to picking out this ring.He was taking it seriously.

With each ring I tried on, I felt more comfortable.It was fun, and it was starting to feel real.

Our story was that Rowan was so excited to be engaged that he popped the question before he had a chance to get a ring.Did that happen often?Was it something that Rowan would have done if he loved a woman?

There was one design I kept coming back to.It was round and sparkly with a line of diamonds on the band which gave way to a filigree design.It was beautiful.

"I think this is the one," Rowan said to me.

I sighed, loving the way it felt on my finger."Yes."

"Does it fit?"Rowan asked, and I moved it on and off my finger."It seems snug to me."

"That's a good fit.You don't want it falling off," the woman said.

Rowan raised a brow."Can she wear it home then?"

The woman smiled."Let me polish it for you."