Fine Line

38. Table set for two

Dakota

Maybe this is a bad idea. Or maybe it isn't, I can't quite make up my mind on that yet. Another thing I can't make my mind up on is which one I'm going to fucking buy. Most of the ones in this store are flashy and not at all her style. I rub a hand over my face as I look down in the glass box.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" A woman asks, coming from a door way towards the back.

"Uh... yeah." I say and she walks over to the other side of the case I'm at.

"I didn't realize how stressful it would be to pick out an engagement ring." I say with a slight chuckle.

"It can be yes. Are you worried she won't like it?" She asks and I look up at her.

"Kinda? I know she won't like something that's big and fancy." I say and she nods.

"Well these over here are the fanciest we have. The more... laid back style, if you will, is over here." She says and motions for me to follow her. We walk over to another case and I see smaller rings, more like promise rings than an engagement ring.

"What is your price range?" She asks and I look over at her.

"Price is no object." I say and she nods.

"You see any in here?" She asks and I shake my head.

"Okay there's one more case with a smaller cut." She says and I follow her to the last case. These are more her style. A round diamond catches my eyes. It has diamonds circleing the band. It's fancy but not to much.

"That one there." I point to it and the woman grabs her keys and opens the box.

"This one is a Laurence Graff Signature Round Diamond. It is 9 Carat in total. It sells for $34,000." She says and I breathe in through my nose slowly. If Billie finds out how much I'm about to pay for this ring, she'd kill me.

"I'll take it in a 6." I say and she nods, smiling at me.

"Wonderful choice." She says and goes into the back, grabbing the ring. She comes back and I meet her at the register.

"That'll be $34,257.23 with tax." She says and I pull my card out. It instantly accepts in and I gulp slightly. She hands me the black velvet box and smiles at me.

"I hope she says yes." She says and I tear my eyes from the box.

"Me too." I say with a nervous smile and she nods.

"Have a good day." She says and I nod

"You too." I say and walk out of the store. I stop in front of the door and take a deep breath, then breathing it out slowly. I walk around the corner to my car and I push the velvet box into the inside pocket of my jacket. As I reach my car, my phone rings in my pocket. I instantly smile when I see the name on the screen.

"Hey baby." I answer.

"Don't 'hey baby' me. Where are you?" She asks and my smile drops. I gulp slightly. I told her I was going to the studio so that I could go get the ring today.

"I'm at the studio." I say, my heart pounding in my chest.

"That's funny because that's where I'm at right now and you aren't here." She says and I let out a sigh, closing my eyes.

"Don't lie to me Dakota, where are you?" She asks again and I open my eyes.

"Dowtown LA." I say and I hear her chuckle softly.

"Baby, I'll explain soon but I can't right now." I say softly and I can feel her frustration burning through the phone.

"Dakota, if-" She starts to say but I cut her off.

"Baby I promise it's nothing bad. Just stay at the studio, I'll be there in a few minutes. We'll talk when I get there okay?" I ask and she's silent.

"Fine." She says and I swallow harshly.

"I love you Billie. I'll be there soon." I say and she hums as I love you back before hanging up. Well fuck.

«»«»«»«»«»

I push open the door to the studio and I'm met with Billie walking towards me. I instantly close the door and back against it. She gets right in front of me and stops. Her brows raise and I know that she wants an explanation.

"I told you that I was going to the studio." I say and she nods.

"You did." She states obviously.

"I had to go do something that I didn't want you knowing about yet." I say softly and she hums.

"It's not a bad thing I promise. It's actually something really good." I say and she crosses her arms.

"Well. What was it?" She asks and I bite the inside of my cheek.

"I had to go buy something." I say and she raises a brow.

"So you lied to me, saying that you were going to the studio when you just could've told me that you were going to buy something." She says and I nod.

"I know. I could've told you that but I knew you would ask what it was so I didn't. I didn't think you'd wake up and come to the studio while I was still gone." I say and she nods.

"You understand why I'm mad right?" She asks and I nod.

"Because I lied to you. And I hate that I had to do that but baby, it's a secret." I say and she raises a brow at me.

"Please don't be mad at me. It seemed like the best thing to do at the time." I say softly and she looks up at me.

"Let me make it up to you. A table set for two, any restuarant you want." I say and she bites the inside of her cheek.

"Fine. Are you going to tell me what the secret is at this dinner?" She asks and my body stiffens.

"I-" I start but my words fall short. Her brows raise, urging me to continue. I flick my thumb against my middle finger nervously as I look into her eyes.

"I can't right now. One step at a time with this surprise." I say softly and mentally nod to myself. That sounded good... right?

"Alright. Will you at least tell me what the first step was?" She asks and I raise a brow.

"Buying something." I say and she groans softly.

"What did you buy?" She asks and I shrug.

"I can't tell you Billie. Now let's go home so that we can go to dinner." I say and she sighs, her shoulders sagging.

"Fine. Give me my kiss." She says with a slight pout and I smile. Stepping forward, I wrap my arms around her waist and she looks deeply into my eyes.

"Don't think that I'm not still mad at you for lying." She says and I nod. Bending my head down, I plant my lips on hers and give her a gentle kiss full of love. After a few seconds, I pull away and smile at her.

"I love you." I say and a smile threatens to break across her face.

"I love you too." She says and I grab her hand, leading her out of the studio so that we can go to dinner and hope that I can maybe make it up to her.

A/N

To soon?

1263 words