Chapter Eighteen
Cam
The afternoon was warmer, and the city pulsed with weekend energy.
Waves of people spilled out of coffee shops and stores, crowding the sidewalks in a constant flow.
Street musicians played in corners, taxis honked with their usual impatience, and the sun bounced off glass and steel with a blinding dazzle.
Right after two p.m. we walked into Tiffany’s, hand in hand.
The moment we crossed the threshold, the air turned crisper, cool with elegance.
It smelled faintly of fresh-cut flowers and polished glass.
Light refracted from glass cases like prisms in a dream, and everything inside them shimmered with the quiet confidence of very expensive things.
Sue gulped. “You do realize how absurdly overpriced everything is here, don’t you?” she whispered.
I’d been here before, but never with a woman I genuinely wanted to impress. Never with someone like her.
I bit back a smile. Of course she was worried.
Her frugality was one of the million things that made her different from the women I’d dated before.
It wasn’t about the cost for me. It was about the wonder and joy on her face when she saw something beautiful.
Hell, I’d buy out the entire store just to see it again.
“If I’m not worried about the bill, you shouldn’t be either,” I said easily. “A ring’s not about the price—it’s about the statement. And mine says: I have taste, I have means, and my fragile male ego will combust if I let you walk around with a bargain bin rock.”
She rolled her eyes. “Your ego could bench-press a truck. Don’t pretend it’s fragile. Honestly, I think you might be just a smidge narcissistic.”
“Save the psychoanalysis for our questionnaire, Dr. Morelli.” I leaned in, my voice low against her ear. “Picking out an engagement ring is supposed to be fun.”
“When it’s real, yeah.”
“Reality is what you make of it.”
Closing the argument with that enigmatic statement, I steered her closer to a section where a sea of rings sparkled behind spotless glass, adorned with countless gems of all shapes and colors.
She tried to act casual, but I could sense she was uncomfortable.
It was one thing to talk about buying expensive jewelry, and another thing to actually be here in this store.
I knew her well enough now to recognize that faraway look—the one that meant she was calculating every cost, every implication.
I needed her to relax, but it was hard to explain this to her when I didn’t know what it was either. It was just instinct that guided me. Something about putting a ring on her finger simply felt right.
She turned to me, her eyes filled with distress. “Cam, I can’t let you spend so much money on this. I can’t find a reasonable justification for it.”
I tilted her chin gently, looking her straight in the eyes. “Please let me buy a ring for you, Susanne. Whatever happens, we decided we will be friends. I want you to have something from me.”
“I already have the hat.”
“The hat will just sit in its box. A ring is something you can always wear. Besides, your parents will demand to see it in less than two hours. Everyone will, so let’s pick something you love.”
Seeing she was not convinced, I pulled out my secret weapon. “Britt will die of envy when she sees you wearing an exquisite ring I bought for you.”
That did it. Her ears pricked and she lifted her eyes to meet mine. It was small, it was petty, but hey, we were both human. The thought of pissing off Britt was too irresistible.
“We’re not even married and you already know how to push my buttons,” she muttered.
“I’ll take this as a yes.” I squeezed her hand. “Now, what kind of ring would you like?”
“Can I help you?” The sales manager had no doubt observed us discretely and knew this was his queue to step in.
He wore a charcoal suit that would probably be better suited for an undertaker than a salesperson. His name tag read, Stuart Albright, Assistant Manager.
I slipped an arm around Sue’s shoulders, in case she changed her mind and tried to escape. “Yes, Stuart. My fiancée and I are looking for an engagement ring. Something elegant and unique, just like her.”
“We don’t have to decide right now,” Sue said quickly. “We’re just browsing.”
I didn’t budge. “If we find something my fiancée loves, we’ll buy it straight away.”
I felt Sue stiffening beside me. Stuart, ever the professional, gave no indication he’d noticed her reluctance.
He probably took it for pre-wedding jitters or thought she was some Bridezilla chasing an elusive notion of perfection.
He gestured toward a gleaming case filled with engagement rings of every style imaginable.
“Of course. May I ask, Miss, are you partial to diamonds, or would you like to consider a colored gemstone?”
Sue hesitated, her voice shaky. “Um, I’m not sure.”
Stuart’s keen eyes studied her, no doubt calculating the price of everything she was wearing and assessing her personal style in the blink of an eye. “Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are growing increasingly popular.”
I gazed down at her, rubbing her shoulders gently. “How about a sapphire? I know you like blue.”
“I do.”
Stuart smiled, reaching into the display. “A wonderful choice. Sapphires are not only timeless but also perfect for everyday wear. Let me show you a few designs.”
Sue took off her grandmother’s ring and gave it to me to hold it.
I looked down at the small band, warm from Sue’s body heat.
Fifty years of love and hardship, a lifetime of stories and pain and inside jokes held by this tiny circle and the small amethyst. It was fascinating and humbling.
What would become of the ring I bought Sue in fifty years?
Stuart placed a few rings on a velvet tray in front of us, giving polished summaries as she tried them on.
The first was classic—a simple band with a round sapphire, very princess bride.
Pretty, but too traditional. The next one was a vintage pear-cut, which was stunning, but too ornate for Sue’s taste.
And then he brought out the third—a deep-blue sapphire flanked by two diamonds, set in a slender white gold band that gleamed with quiet elegance.
Sue slipped it on and forgot to breathe.
“This ring is part of our Legacy Collection,” Stuart said primly.
“The center sapphire is two carats and sourced from Sri Lanka, known for producing some of the finest sapphires in the world. The two side diamonds are round brilliant cuts, a combined half carat, and perfectly balanced to complement the sapphire’s deep blue hue.
The band’s simple design ensures the stones remain the focal point. ”
She gasped softly as she stared at it. The ring was gorgeous on her delicate finger. The rich color of the sapphire was mesmerizing, and the diamonds added just enough sparkle without feeling over the top.
I chuckled, knowing that look on her face. “That’s the one. It’s perfect.”
She hesitated, looking between me and the ring. “It’s gorgeous, but—”
“We’ve talked about this, Susanne,” I said with the patience of a saint. “Do you like the ring? No, do you love it?”
Stuart, sensing her uncertainty, chimed in. “This particular design is also quite practical. Platinum and sapphires are ideal for daily wear.”
She glanced back at the ring. The sapphire seemed to glow, its rich blue color reminding me of moonlight on water.
“It’s perfect,” she admitted softly.
I leaned closer, my voice warm but firm. “Then it’s settled. We’ll take it.”
Stuart’s professional smile grew slightly warmer as he carefully removed the ring. “An excellent choice. Allow me to prepare the ring’s documentation for you.”
Sue gulped, a wave of panic flooding her face. I could bet she’d never owned any jewelry that came with documentation. She had no idea how much the ring cost, and I wanted to keep it that way.
As Stuart disappeared to box the ring, I looked down at her. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
She shook her head, looking dazed. “It’s beautiful. But you really didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to. This isn’t just about pretending. It’s about making sure you have something that feels right. And this?” I took her hand to my lips. “It feels right.”
She didn’t argue. She was either cold or petrified, because her whole arm had broken into goosebumps.
Stuart returned with the paperwork and the iconic blue box of the ring. “How will you be paying for it?”
I handed him my gold card and my Colorado driver’s license.
Maybe I should have been nervous about spending so much money on something like this.
I wasn’t though. All I felt was a sense of peace, of doing the right thing.
I couldn’t understand it, I just trusted my instinct.
That ring belonged on her finger. For a second, I wished this was real and that we were truly engaged.
But this was madness. Sue was only doing this to fool her parents and save her job. I couldn’t let myself forget that. And even though we had chemistry, it was a long way from that to something serious.
I looked down at Sue’s grandmother’s ring. To love the same woman for fifty years… Not long ago it would have seemed impossible. Now it felt like a rare privilege.
“Do you want to have this sized for your right hand?” I asked Sue.
She nodded, and I handed it to Stuart. He took the measurements and promised Sue her Nana’s ring would be ready on Thursday.
“I’m giving the ring back to you as soon as this—whatever this is—is over,” she whispered in my ear as soon as Stuart’s back was turned.
My reply was as evasive as a politician’s promises. “We’ll figure it out together. Let’s focus on the here and now.”
We thanked Stuart for his help and headed out. Before we reached the doors, Sue’s gaze drifted to a small display tucked near the exit. A collection of silver charms winked up from the velvet case—hearts, stars, clovers, and animals.
A laugh escaped her before she could contain it. “Oh my God, the cuteness!”
I followed her gaze, trying to figure out what had caught her eye. “Let me guess. The muffin?”
“The pig.”
Of course. I saw it immediately: a plump little pig, polished to a gleam, with tiny pink enamel ears and the most ridiculous curly tail.
I arched one eyebrow, amused and intrigued. “That’s an unusual crush.”
“Not really. Pigs are clever and full of personality. Besides, they’re simply adorable, especially those tiny ones people have as pets.”
“Did you ever have one?”
She scoffed. “I wish. My mom freaked out when I suggested it for my fifth birthday.”
I stroked my chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… Now I have a dilemma. Do I get you an actual pig, which might violate the building’s pet policy and make your mother hate me, or settle for the shiny, hypoallergenic kind?”
Her eyes widened and she tried to pull me toward the exit. But it was too late. I was already calling Stuart back over and taking out my credit card.
“We’ll take the pig too.” I grinned. “A symbol of prosperity and good fortune.”
“Absolutely not!” Sue whisper-shouted. “It’s ridiculous. I don’t need a pig from Tiffany’s.”
“But you want one.” I leaned down, my voice low and smooth. “You lit up like you do when you smell chocolate. That pig’s coming home with us.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but I held up a finger.
“Come on, Sue, you’ve already let me buy you a ring. The pig will be easier, I promise.”
The charm was boxed up in a tiny pouch and handed over with the same reverence as the ring.
I held the door open for her, my chest bursting with happiness.
I didn’t believe in buying a woman’s love.
That’s not what this was about. I had a visceral need to buy her things, to see her wear them and know I did that.
Maybe it was just a primitive way of branding my territory, but seeing that ring on her finger made me glow on the inside.
“What time do you usually call home?” I asked.
“Around six.”
“Perfect. We have enough time to grab a quick drink at that Irish pub near Broadway.”
Sue hesitated, her fingers tightening around the Tiffany bag. “Are you always going to expect everything to go your way?”
I blinked, taken aback.
She looked miserable and guilty. I was dumbstruck, my chest suddenly tight as I stared at her, no clue what I’d done wrong.
“I’m sorry, Cam.” She shook her head. “It’s just… this is happening too fast. I feel like I climbed into a train and realized too late that it’s being driven by Santa on steroids. I’m not used to getting expensive gifts, and honestly, I’m not comfortable with any of this.”
I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, searching her face, searching for words. I could see now how overwhelmed she was and felt so bad I wanted to punch myself.
“Sue, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push too hard. I get tunnel vision when I’m trying to fix a problem, and you’ve been swept up in it.”
“You think this will fix everything?” She held up her hand, the sapphire sparkling in the sunlight on cue.
I looked at my shoes. There was spot of dust on the right one, but the need to wipe it was dim now. My priority was Susanne.
I looked into her eyes. “It won’t fix everything. But it tells the world we’re serious. It protects your job, your reputation, and it gives us a solid story to sell. I told you I’d make sure no one could touch you, and I meant it.”
She let out a slow breath and looped her arm through mine.
I accepted her touch, grateful to feel her warmth once more.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not great at winging it. I like structure, plans, five-year goals... not impromptu engagements and pretending to be swept off my feet. I just hope we can pull this off without anyone getting hurt.”
“We will.” I covered her hand on my arm with mine. “I promise, no matter what happens, I will never hurt you.”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t look like she believed me. And she didn’t seem to realize she was a bigger threat to me. Because for me this had stopped being fake. And that scared the shit out of me.