Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“Mr. Lincoln!” sang a male voice. “Welcome!”
Raul Lozano swept out from behind a counter, bowing and smiling like a courtesan. Thin and elegant with graying sideburns and stooped shoulders, Raul greeted me a limp handshake. But no matter. I’ve been doing business with the merchant for years. He was the one who made my sister’s graduation necklace, the one who designed my mom’s silver anniversary bracelet. So yeah, he’s quite the artisan.
“Is this the lovely lady?” Raul cooed. “Is this the Mrs. Lincoln to be?”
And I never saw Maggie blush so hard. But my words were straightforward.
“Yes, this is my fiancée,” came my firm tone. “We’re here to pick out an engagement ring.”
“Of course, of course!” cooed Raul, bowing elegantly. “Congratulations to the happy couple! Come with me, my dear, we’ve got quite a few things you should see.”
And just like that, we were swept into a private back room. Maggie stared like she couldn’t believe it, a cup of tea and cookies appearing at her side. But believe it, sweetheart. Private placement is the only way to go when you’re a billionaire, the salespeople catering to your every whim.
And not a moment was wasted. The gems came out, sparkling and brilliant, vivid with fire burning within. Raul gestured delicately, hands encased in white velvet gloves.
“These are the best we have,” he murmured. “Of course, there are others in the back if none are to your satisfaction.”
I grunted, my gaze sweeping over the tray. The stones were gorgeous of course. Every shade of diamond possible. Pink. Canary yellow. And of course, clear, brilliant white. Princess cut. Emerald cut. Even a few heart shaped ones in case my girl preferred a unique stone.
But they weren’t big enough. Not for a Lincoln bride, at least.
“You got anything else?” I grunted, brows raised. “These seem a little small.”
Raul was waiting for this precise moment because with a subtle gesture to one of his sales associates, another velvet tray appeared, this one festooned with giant rocks. And I mean giant. The kind that rivaled the ten carat stone on my mom’s hand.
But Maggie shook her head with a jerk then.
“Evan, I can’t,” she stammered. “This is too much. Way too much. Maybe something small, or even nothing. We don’t have to do this.” She blinked, staring at all the diamonds before swinging her gaze my way. “I thought maybe we could go to the mall. Or even Costco. They have nice diamonds there that are quality jewels.” Her voice faded away, growing small under my disbelieving glare.
“No,” was my flat reply. “A Costco ring? Hell no.”
She protested a little more.
“I know Costco’s not glamorous because they sell toilet paper,” came her determined words. “But their diamonds are really nice. My cousin Martina got one and it’s a stunner,” she said stubbornly.
I stared at her again. Maggie couldn’t be serious.
“No,” was my flat reply. “Pick one from here. Right now.”
The girl’s cheeks flushed, turning slowly back to the selection because there are no diamonds like this at Costco. I was ready to spend seven figures to make my girl happy if that’s what it took. Did Costco offer a selection like that? I think not.
Swallowing softly, the girl gazed at the dazzling display. Slowly, her hand came up.
“Okay, how about this one?” she asked, pointing at the smallest diamond on the tray. It was pink, maybe about three carats.
Please baby.
Indulge me a little.
I can afford more than that.
You’re going be my wife. I can’t let you out with such a small stone on your finger.
So I nodded discreetly to Raul, and the man disappeared for a moment. But then he was back in a flash, with the older sister of the pink diamond. And I mean a much older sister because the new diamond had to be at least six carats, sparkling madly under the lights.
“Mademoiselle, would you like to try this one?” came his solicitous voice. “Perhaps this one instead?”
Maggie stared, swallowing visibly.
“Do it, sweetheart,” I growled, eyeing that form. “Try it on.”
Slowly, her hand raised, allowing Raul to slip on the rose gold band.
Oh shit.
It was perfect: a perfect fit, a perfect color, and a perfect cut.
Everything was right when it came to Maggie, and before she could say anything, I spoke.
“We’ll take it.”
The girl gasped, eyes flying to my big form. But Raul knew exactly what to do.
“Certainly sir,” he said obsequiously, bowing his head once again. “Certainly. Let us polish the stone and setting, and we’ll deliver it to your home. Madame, may I have your address? We’ll have it to you within a few days.”
Maggie was unable to speak for a moment, pink pout parted.
But I stepped in again.
“223 Bleeker Street, Apartment C,” was my rumble. “It’s the parlor floor place, ring the buzzer because there’s no doorman.”
“Certainly,” Raul schmoozed again. “Of course. We’ll have it for you right away.”