Page 21 of The Naughty or Nice Deal

“What are you doing?” Ford asks.

He’s so close to me that I jump in shock. “I’m picking out a ring, like you asked me to.”

“You’re looking for the cheapest one.”

I can feel my face flushing at how easily he’s seen through me. “Ford…”

“You’re not going to pick a ring based on price.” His voice is firm. “You’re going to pick based on what you actually like.” He looks over at Bianca. “Could you please bring out your high jewelry?”

High jewelry. I have no idea what that means, but I’m sure it’s not going to bode well for my plan to not spend a ton of money on a ring.

Bianca’s face lights up. “Of course, sir, I’d be more than happy to show you. Why don’t you come with us into the back?”

She escorts us to a smaller room, with a beautiful walnut table that’s just low enough to accommodate the plush velvet chaise in the middle of the space. I’m directed to sit down, and Bianca begins to pull out boxes, setting them on the table one by one for me to examine.

I’ve never even imagined being catered to like this. And the jewelry on display is truly art. It’s stunning, taking my breath away.

“We have some more… classic style engagement rings, if that’s what you’re looking for.” Bianca glances at Ford, who nods. “The all-diamond style. Classic, enduringly popular.”

She shows me some of the rings. They are stunning. I know I should just choose one, claim I like it, and get this over with. But…

I glance over at Ford. I have the feeling he’ll know that I was just trying to get this over with. I take a deep breath and look up at Bianca. “These are lovely, but do you have anything with color in it?”

Bianca beams at me. Either she’s a really good actress, or she’s genuinely pleased. “A bit of color is very bold, very daring. Not everyone has the guts for it.”

“That’s my Spitfire,” Ford says. “Bold and daring.”

I know that he’s just playing it up for her, but I feel a rush of warmth anyway.

Bianca pulls out some other rings, and they take my breath away with the arrangements of the gemstones, how the different colors are married together. There’s a stunning one with a golden South Sea pearl set in the middle of a ring of diamonds that spike outward, making it look like the sun. I’m very tempted by that one, but it’s just a little too big for me, I think. I want something a little less… dominating.

“This is a very fun one, I’m surprised it hasn’t been more popular.” Bianca points to a ring that… I think is pink and red. Well, I’m pretty sure about the pink. I’m just guessing on the stone in the center. “I think people feel it’s a bit too fun.”

“Gorgeous,” Ford agrees, “but I think we should stay away from red.” He pauses. “And green.”

“Green will go so well with her eyes.”

My face is on fire. Not with embarrassment, but from shock. I had no idea that Ford realized I’m red-green colorblind. I didn’t think he paid that much attention to me.

I look at the rings, scrambling for something to say, and my eyes alight on one. My heart feels like it swells, and I feel a horrible, sharp longing in my chest. My breath catches in my throat.

Oh, I want that ring. I want that ring so, incredibly badly.

“May I look at that one?” I ask, pointing.

It’s an oval shaped star sapphire, beautifully framed by a circle of small diamonds. The star sparkling in the sapphire’s center is unique, but the soft curve of it makes it feel natural and understated, not too flashy.

Bianca smiles at me proudly, like I’ve gotten the right answer on a test. “This is from our Geological Wonders collection,” she tells me, taking my hand and sliding the ring on. “Our collection to highlight the best and most unusual of our jewels as rings. This star sapphire is 20.44 carats.”

I didn’t care about the carats, I just cared about how beautiful it was. I had always liked jewelry and tried to wear some pieces to look nice for work, but I had never wanted a ring like this, like it had captivated me and put me under a spell.

I stare at it, my heart in my throat. This isn’t real, I remind myself. But with this ring on my finger, it feels more real than it should.

“I think,” Ford says quietly, his tone laced with amusement, “we’ll take this one.”

“A truly excellent choice,” Bianca agrees, her voice hushed like we’re all sharing a secret. “Allow me to put these others away and I’ll finalize your purchase agreement, sir.”

I quickly fumble the ring off and hand it back so that Bianca and Ford can handle the purchase. The moment Ford has finished paying, not even bothering to ask about the price, he takes my hand and slips the ring back on.