Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 70551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“So, she would need something that doesn’t snag,” Genevieve says as she pulls an open red velvet box from under the counter and then goes in search of a couple of rings to show me. “And correct me if I’m wrong, but she looks like a classy woman. Someone who would enjoy something traditional and simple.”
“I think so,” I reply with a nod.
Genevieve returns with five rings in different styles, but I know it as soon as I see it.
“This.” I point to a ring with a massive diamond, set down in a halo of more diamonds.
“I thought you might like this,” she says, pulling it out and passing it to me. “This one doesn’t have any prongs, so it won’t snag on anything. And it’s simply beautiful.”
“Oh, I love it,” Nina breathes.
“The diamond is a cushion cut, and every diamond surrounding is a round cut and chosen by hand. The total karat weight is five karats.”
Nina whistles, and I toss her a grin.
“We’ll take it.”
“Don’t you want to know the price?” Genevieve asks.
“I don’t care,” I reply honestly. “This is her ring. I’ll take it.”
“Excellent.” Genevieve takes it back and sets it in a red ring box. “I’ll be happy to wrap it up for you.”
“They do a great job with packaging,” Nina says with a nod, but I shake my head no.
“It’ll go in my pocket,” I reply. “She won’t open it like a gift.”
“Of course.” Genevieve nods. “I’ll just have to fill out your certificate of authenticity, and with this large of a transaction, we wire the money directly from your bank.”
“I understand.”
Two hours and three coffees later, Jenna’s ring is tucked safely in its box in my pocket, and I’m driving back to Beverly Hills.
Now, to get to my girl so I can make her mine permanently.
Chapter Nineteen
~Jenna~
“THIS LEMON POPPY SEED is to die for,” Grace says as she pulls her fork out of her mouth and eyes the next piece of wedding cake on her plate. “But this strawberry looks amazing, too.”
“The strawberry goes so well with the white chocolate ganache,” Maisey Henderson, the owner and baker of the wedding cakes says with a wink. Her sister, Brooke, is pulling samples of flowers to show Hannah, as well.
We’re in Brooke’s Blooms, the hottest new flower shop in town. Brooke also sells pretty gifts and cards, and I’ve decided that I need to come in here more often. They’ve done an amazing job of making today special for Hannah, with a pretty bouquet on our table that Hannah gets to take with her, and a congratulatory cake for her to take home, as well. They’ve absolutely gone the extra mile, and I’ll happily recommend them to other friends in the future.
“I can’t believe that we’re at the tail end of the blizzard of the century outside, and yet it feels like springtime in here,” Hannah says, taking a deep breath. “It’s just so pretty.”
“This is such a breath of fresh air,” Willa says. “I’m so sick of being in my house.”
“You should host parties here,” I suggest and take a bite of the chocolate mousse and immediately sigh in happiness. “I’d come in for flowers and cake every week.”
“That’s actually a great idea, and something we’re working on,” Maisey says with a wink. “Hannah, you need to try this huckleberry filling.”
“I want huckleberry filling, too,” Grace says, making us all laugh.
“Trust the pregnant woman to like everything,” Hannah says, rubbing Grace’s round belly. “I’m only serving about a hundred people, Grace, not a thousand. I won’t need that much cake.”
“I’ll take home the leftovers,” Grace says with a laugh.
I love my friends, and I’m so happy for Hannah and that she found the love of her life. She and Brad fit so well together, and being a part of their special day is an honor.
I will not let my own sadness interfere with having fun with my friends today.
“Willa, what do you think of the peonies?” Hannah asks, pointing to the book. “I wish they were in season so we could see them in person.”
“Peonies are always a yes,” Willa replies, nodding emphatically while munching on her cake. “And, of course, some lilies.”
“Let me show you a bouquet that I did a couple of years ago,” Brooke suggests, typing on her laptop. “I have a folder on Pinterest with previous designs, and you’re welcome to go look anytime. Here we go.”
She turns the computer around, and we all sigh, immediately falling in love with the different shades of pink in the romantic bouquet.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” Hannah says. “Can you do this?”
“Absolutely,” Brooke says. “I’ll have to order in a few of the flowers from South America because they won’t quite be in season here yet, but we can make it work.”
Brooke is a few years younger than me, and I don’t know her well, but she’s so nice. And beautiful, with the darkest hair I’ve ever seen, and big brown eyes. She’s petite and has a mole above her lip, Cindy Crawford style.