Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Levi
The sound of the jeweler’s bell jingles as I push open the door, stepping aside to let Tania enter first. She hesitates, her gaze sweeping over the luxurious displays of glittering diamonds and gemstones.
“This is ridiculous,” she mutters under her breath. “I don’t need a ring.”
“You do if you want this to be convincing,” I reply, my tone casual, though my heart pounds harder than I’d like to admit. “Engaged couples wear engagement rings. It’s a basic expectation.”
She shoots me a glare, but I catch the faintest hint of pink coloring her cheeks. “Just keep it simple,” she says, her voice tight. “Nothing flashy.”
It’s such a Tania thing to say. She’s always been practical, grounded, uninterested in the superficial trappings that so many others in my world chase after. But that practicality doesn’t stop me from wanting to see a ring on her finger—a visible sign that she’s mine, even if it’s only for show.
“Mr. Nichols,” a smooth voice greets us as an impeccably dressed man in a tailored suit approaches. His nametag reads Ethan , and his smile is all charm and polish. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Ethan,” I acknowledge, extending a hand briefly. “We’re looking for an engagement ring.”
“Congratulations,” Ethan says warmly, his gaze shifting to Tania. The smile he gives her is decidedly different—longer, warmer. “You’re a lucky woman.”
Tania stiffens beside me, but she manages a polite smile. “Thank you.”
Ethan’s eyes linger on her for a moment longer than necessary, and a flicker of irritation sparks in my chest. He’s a professional, sure, but the way he’s looking at her feels personal.
“Let’s get started,” I say, my tone a touch sharper than I intend.
“Of course,” Ethan replies smoothly. He gestures toward a glass case lined with a dazzling array of rings. “Do you have a particular style in mind?”
Tania steps closer to the display, her arms crossed. “Something understated,” she says firmly. “Elegant but not ostentatious.”
Ethan nods thoughtfully, sliding open the case. “I have just the thing. Classic solitaire? Perhaps with a platinum band?”
He places a few rings on the velvet mat for her to inspect, but his attention stays squarely on Tania, like I’m not even standing here.
“This one would suit you perfectly,” he says, picking up a delicate diamond solitaire. He holds it out to her, his smile a little too wide. “May I?”
Tania hesitates, glancing at me briefly before holding out her hand. Ethan slides the ring onto her finger with practiced ease, and for a moment, I can’t look away.
It fits perfectly.
The diamond catches the light, sparkling against her skin, and an unexpected surge of possessiveness rises in me. I hate that Ethan is the one putting it there, hate the way he’s looking at her like she’s a prize to be won.
“What do you think?” Ethan asks, his voice low, intimate.
“She thinks it’s fine,” I say, cutting in before Tania can respond. My tone is clipped, and I see Tania’s brow arch slightly at my interruption.
Ethan straightens, glancing at me with polite curiosity. “It’s important she feels comfortable with her choice, Mr. Nichols. After all, she’ll be wearing it every day.”
“I’m well aware,” I say, taking the ring from him and slipping it back onto Tania’s finger myself. Her hand is soft in mine, and when her eyes meet mine, I can’t tell if she’s annoyed or something else entirely.
“It’s beautiful,” she says after a moment, her voice measured.
Ethan beams. “Excellent choice. Shall I prepare the paperwork?”
I nod, barely glancing at him. My focus is on Tania, who’s staring at the ring with a distant expression.
When Ethan disappears to finalize the transaction, I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Are you okay?”
She blinks, startled by the question. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve been quiet,” I say, studying her face. “I know this isn’t exactly how you imagined shopping for an engagement ring.”
She lets out a dry laugh, pulling her hand free from mine. “That’s an understatement. But it’s fine. This is just business, right?”
The way she says it—calm, detached—grates on me. I nod anyway, even though every part of me wants to argue. “Right.”
As we leave the jeweler, the tension between us is palpable. Tania walks a step ahead of me, her posture stiff, the ring glinting on her finger like a silent reminder of what I’ve dragged her into.
“Wait,” I say, catching her arm gently as we step onto the sidewalk. She stops but doesn’t turn to face me.
“What is it, Levi?” she asks, her voice tired.
“I just... wanted to say thank you,” I say, my words careful. “For doing this.”
She finally looks at me, her expression unreadable. “You already said thank you. And I already agreed. Let’s not make this more complicated than it needs to be.”
Her words cut deeper than I expect, and I let go of her arm, stepping back. “Right. Of course.”
She starts to walk away, but then she pauses, glancing over her shoulder. “Why did you get so worked up in there?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“With the jeweler,” she says, her tone pointed. “You acted like he wasn’t allowed to talk to me.”
I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “He was being unprofessional.”
Tania narrows her eyes. “Unprofessional, or just interested in someone who isn’t yours?”
The question hangs between us, sharp and dangerous. I want to tell her she’s wrong, that this has nothing to do with jealousy. But the truth is, it has everything to do with jealousy. Seeing Ethan slide that ring onto her finger, watching the way he looked at her—it made my blood boil.
But admitting that to her would only complicate things, so I say nothing.
Tania’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before she shakes her head. “This is just business, Levi. Remember that.”
She turns and walks away, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, the sound of her heels clicking against the pavement echoing in my ears.
I watch her until she disappears around the corner, my chest tightening with a mix of frustration and something I can’t quite name.
It’s just business. That’s what she keeps saying.
So why does it already feel like so much more?