“Sorry about the wait, sir,” the sales consultant said. She handed him a light-blue bag that had the Tiffany & Co brand.
Jayden took the bag. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir. We hope to see you again.”
Jayden nodded politely and thought, Not in a million years.
“She’s a fine piece.”
Jayden saw the woman nodding toward Alex.
“She is,” he commented.
“Congratulations, sir. The best of luck from us, and enjoy your honeymoon.”
Jayden blinked. He smiled after he realized her meaning. She nodded and left.
He came to stand behind Alex, curious at what had snatched her interest so completely. In the showcase glass, he saw a princess-cut diamond ring encased in a platinum band.
“All sorted,” he whispered into her ear softly.
Alex jumped. She turned and glanced up at him. “Hi,” she greeted, smiling, and her eyes were shining with adoration. “Look at that one. It’s so beautiful.”
“Yes, it is.” He agreed, his eyes on her.
Alex licked her lips. “I’ve never worn a ring before.”
“Yeah? Then try it on.”
“Huh? Don’t be silly.” She scoffed, waving her hand at him.
“Excuse me,” Jayden called for a sales assistant behind the counter who had been watching them. She came around to them.
“Yes, sir? Can I help you?”
“That one,” Jayden said, nodding to the ring.
“Jayden!” Alex hissed.
“Ah. Excellent choice, sir,” the sales assistant commented.
Jayden ignored Alex’s frown as he watched the woman insert a key into the lock and open the glass door.
“It’s a Lucida princess-cut diamond ring set in platinum,” the woman said as she gently picked up the case containing the ring.
Jayden picked up the piece of jewelry and examined it in his fingers. He grabbed Alex’s left hand and slid it onto her ring finger.
“Wow,” Alex exclaimed. She moved her hand this way and that so the diamond caught the light and sparkled. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a perfect engagement ring,” the sales assistant said.
“Oh,” Alex gasped, surprised. This was an engagement ring? “Um, thank you.” She quickly took it off. The sales consultant carefully set the ring back in its case, then put that back into the secure glass box.
“Thank you,” Jayden said to the woman. The sales assistant nodded and returned to her position behind the counter.
Jayden led Alex to the door, holding her hand in his.
“Is that all?” she asked.
He sensed disappointment in her voice, and he knew she wanted to see more of New York.
“Yeah,” he replied with a secret smile. “That’s all.”
“Oh. Okay.”
* * * * *
Across the huge store on the other side was Stephanie, with bags of Tiffany and Co. in her hands. She watched with interest as Jayden and Alex headed toward the exit. Her eyes zeroed in on the Tiffany and Co. bag in Jayden’s hand. A bubble of excitement erupted within her. It must be an engagement ring. After all, she had glimpsed Jayden putting a diamond ring on Alex’s finger—the one-of-a-kind that was on show in the main glass case in the middle of the lobby, the one that everyone admired but couldn’t afford to buy. She couldn’t wait to spread the good news.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 19
Alex slid into the passenger seat, clicked on her seat belt, and put on her sunglasses. Jayden couldn’t help but admire the way she handled herself—with such elegance and innocence. She looked as though she belonged there, as a part of his world, but at the same time, she looked vulnerable and lost. She was very contradictory in his mind, but desirable.
“Back home, then, I suppose,” she said absentmindedly.
Back home? Jayden was surprised at her choice of words. Did that mean his home was now her home?
“What?” she asked when she saw him looking at her oddly.
“Nothing,” he replied, starting the engine. He steered the car around and into the thick traffic.
Alex relaxed, thoroughly enjoying the sun. A moment later, she asked, “So what was it?”
“Hmm?” Jay glanced at his blind spot and switched lanes.
“What did you get? Your errand.”
“Oh. In the bag,” he said, nodding to the back seat. “Have a look.”
“Sure. Don’t mind me.” She leaned over and reached for the blue bag. She placed it on her lap and took out two small velvet boxes that had the initial Tiffany & Co. “Ooh,” she made a sound as she opened one. The gold wedding band shone against the glistening sunlight.
“Whoa,” she gasped. “It’s Kelly’s wedding ring?”
Jayden nodded.
“Nice.” She turned the box about so she could inspect it from all sides without having to take the ring out. She didn’t want to dirty it.
Jayden laughed. “Do you want one?”
Alex glanced at him. “Who doesn’t? That is, when I find the right man, of course.”
Jayden was curious. The right man, huh? He wondered what type of man was her “right man.” He had no doubt she probably had a list of criteria.
“Just curious, what’s your ideal man? That perfect man you’re looking for?” he asked casually.
Alex shut the box and placed it back into the bag. “I suppose every girl has her ideal man. Mine is tall but not too tall. Your height is good.”
Jayden grinned at her comment.
“He has to be kind. Don’t care who he is or where he’s from. I mean nationality-wise. Not sure about his career, though. But I’d love to have a doctor as a husband,” she said, nudging her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose.
“Why?” he asked, a hint of disapproval in his voice. “A doctor?”
“Because I’m a scientist. They kind of go together, don’t you think?”
“No. Does it matter that he has to be a doctor?” He glanced at her.
Alex pouted her lips. “No, I suppose not.” She shrugged.
“Besides, aren’t doctors supposed to be so busy that they won’t have time for you?”
“I think that depends,” she commented, starting to feel quite uncomfortable chatting about her “ideal” man. If he asked her enough questions, he’d know who her ideal man was, the man she wanted in her life, which was him. That was why she told him a doctor instead of a businessman.
“Let’s talk about something else,” she suggested.
“What do you want to eat?”
“Huh?” She glanced at him.
“What type of food do you want to eat?”
“Are we going out to eat?”
“Yes.”
A happy feeling bubbled up within her. “And I get to choose the place?”
“Yes.”
“Cool.” She chuckled. “What about a steak house?”
Jayden raised a brow at her. “Really?”
“Yeah, I love steak.”