Page 78 of Yours, Finally

It only fit on my pinky.

"Oh, that's disappointing," I said.

"Do you have any amethyst rings in bigger sizes?" Jake asked.

"I can show you some other rings and check the sizing."

We moved through the space, looking at rings and the options the salesperson offered. We found one ring I loved that almost fit; I stared at it on my right hand, digging into my ring finger.

It had four stones in a mild haphazard design, skewed on the band in a very appealing, modern take with a hint of art deco. The band seemed like vintage gold, giving the piece an old-but-new look.

"I can see that you like it." Jake took my hand and lifted it to him, as if he were going to kiss it, but studied the ring instead. "If you do custom jewelry, you do resizing, right?"

"Yes, we can do that. We can ship it to you in a couple of weeks."

"You want it." Jake smiled at me. "Let's take it, then."

I gave him a quick kiss. "Thank you."

I took the ring off and gave it to the salesperson. They proceeded to measure my ring size and write it down alongside my name and address.

"We should also look for something else you can take today." Jake took my hand. "Maybe a pendant or something else?"

"You don't have to do that. I'm happy to wait for my ring."

"I know I don't have to. I want to. I've watched you through the years; I know how giving you can be. I want to do that for you, too. Besides, I'm sure it's what a book boyfriend would do. So let me be a book boyfriend for you, okay?"

I grinned. "You also don't have to compete with the heroes in my books, just so you know."

"Oh, but I will. And I'll win."

That made me laugh. "You won't catch me discouraging you."

"Come on. Let's find something else."

We found a two-layered necklace, with a round pendant with a roughly cut stone, and a small version of it on the layer above it.

I didn't argue when Jake paid for it all.

"You two are so cute," the salesperson said. "Do you come to town often?"

"This is our first time," I replied. "It's been lovely."

"It's the first time I feel like I'm taking her on a proper date, too." He smiled at the person helping us. "We didn't get a chance for a proper outing like this back at home."

And it was a delightful discovery. From the lazy morning to walking around in public with Jake— it showed me what being with him could be like. No thoughts spared to having to keep it private. Simply him and I, having a sweet day together.

When we were ready to tell people, this is what we could have, but at home. With family and friends who would hopefully make no fuss about us, and would take it in stride.

Jake put away his wallet. "I'll take your card, too, just in case."

The salesperson added the card to the bag holding my new necklace, alongside our copies of the resizing order and receipts.

Jake took the new bag alongside his hoodie on one hand, and took mine with the other.

"I hope you have a lovely stay," the person said. "The way you look at each other, I'm sure you have many years ahead of you. Perhaps you'll come back."

"Thank you." I smiled at them, then at Jake. "Maybe we will."