Salty Licorice

Chapter 48

Marisa's POV

Averys dragged me back out to the outlets because she insisted on buying something she couldn't yesterday. I already know it's a gift for Liz, and I have a feeling I know what she's about to spend all her tips on. Avery is walking towards the jewelry store Liz was at yesterday, and drags me inside. Walking up to the case we saw Liz looking at it for a while, but now that we're here it's pretty clear Avery didn't think this one through. That or she's over thinking every possible ring Liz would have been looking at, or which she would want the most.

"Is there anything I can help you ladies out with today?" The woman in dress pants and a nice blouse asks us.

I recognized her as the same lady who was in the store yesterday and I smirked at the coincidence. Avery is too busy staring at the dozen or more rings in the display case to have registered the woman before her.

I look at her, catching her eyes, "You wouldn't happen to remember a red haired young woman, thick European accent?"

"I actually do remember her, why are you asking?" She gives me a hesitant yet curious look.

"My friend here is trying to get a gift for said girl," I slap Avery's shoulder bringing her out of her head finally. "Lets just say, she's a very, very special girl for my very special friend."

"That second special made it sound like it was a bad thing," Avery snapped quietly.

Our staring contest breaks at the sound of the saleslady's snickering. She waves off her laugh, or tries. "What do you need my head for?"

"Did you happen to have noticed which ring she was looking at yesterday?" Avery nearly begs.

"Definitely that one near the bottom, here." The lady slides the back of the case open and retrieves the ring in question. She holds it out for us to look at more closely. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"She wishes," I snicker beside Avery, even though I also wish for the same outcome.

"Stop talking," Avery narrows her eyes for only a second, then turns her focus back on the ring. "Can I?" She points at the ring and the lady nods, handing it to her. "Do you have this in a crap, um can I see this in different sizes?"

"Sure what size are you looking for?"

"That's a good question," Avery responds but doesn't finish the statement.

Making it apparent once again of her poor planning and follow through. All I can do is shake my head. Avery doesn't seem to be at a complete loss as she puts a few different sizes on and it's obvious she's looking for something as she puts them on her pointer finger till she finds one that only fits half way down her finger.

"This size," Avery announces. "For that ring."

"And how did you decide this?" I enquire.

"I've tried on her rings before, they're too small but I know the feel," She admits with a shrug.

This is one of the rarities when she surprises me. Just her keen observation in small details that normally amount to nothing and sometimes has a purpose. Avery pays for the ring, which surprisingly isn't that expensive. She can't stop looking at it, her face is a mix of excitement but also nervousness.

"She's gonna like it," I whisper to her. "It's from you, trust me."

"God, I hope so. She's gonna like it right?" She asks the lady behind the checkout counter.

"It's a beautiful ring, are you sure you're not together?" The lady is finding amusement in Avery's nervousness.

"Yeah, I'm sure. She's gotta like it right? I mean I also got her that hat so it's not like I'd be out of luck even if she doesn't like it, but man," Avery rambles while rocking on the balls of her feet.