First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 83

  We grab a quick bite at that little sandwich shop near the mall. I don't eat much, just enough to take the edge off the coffee and nerves. Then we head over to Kay Jewelers.

  The second I walk through the doors, it hits me that this is really happening. No turning back now. My moms are quiet at first, giving me space as we look through the cases. One of the saleswomen greets us, and I let her know we're just browsing. She nods and gives us room.

  We look at quite a few engagement rings. Some are simple. Some way too flashy. A couple are close, but none of them feel right. I try to picture them on Dani's hand and I can't. Not really. Not in the way that matters.

  While Mama and Mom are still at one of the cases, I drift toward the bridal sets. I'm not planning to buy a whole set, just curious. I walk past a few rows of sparkle and flash and then stop. One ring catches my eye and I lean in.

  Neil Lane princess-cut diamond. White gold. A soft, cushion-shaped halo. The band isn't just a straight row of diamonds. It twists, almost like it's braided. Scalloped edges. There's something old-fashioned about it, but it's not outdated. It's meaningful. It looks like a story.

  It looks like Dani.

  I stare at it for a few seconds, my heart starting to beat a little faster. My moms walk over and Mama follows my gaze.

  "You like that one?" she asks.

  "I... yes ma'am, I do," I say. "Can I see it?" I ask as I look at the saleswoman.

  She comes over and pulls it from the case. She sets it in my hand gently, and the second I feel the weight of it, and touch the band, it's like something in my chest clicks into place. The tag reads $1,899, on sale. I barely even register the price. It could say anything and I'd probably feel the same way.

  This is it.

  I hold it up, letting the light hit the main stone. It shines, but not in a loud way. It's elegant. Intentional. It doesn't need to prove anything. Just like Dani.

  The woman glances down at the info tag. "This one's a size 7."

  I freeze. "Seven?"

  She nods. "Yes ma'am."

  I just look at my moms. That's Dani's exact size. I know because I measured one of her rings last month when she left it on the bathroom counter. I was nervous I'd forget, so I wrote it down in my notes app right away.

  "That's her size," I say, almost like I don't believe it myself.

  I turn to my moms. "This is the one," I say. "I don't need to see anything else."

  Mama's eyes soften and Mom's already tearing up a little.

  Mama smiles. "Then it really was meant to be."

  "I'll take it," I say, without even blinking.

  "Would you like to finance..."

  "No," I cut in. "I've got it."

  I pull out my card before I can second-guess anything. It's my credit card, the one I promised myself I wouldn't touch unless it mattered. This matters.

  She rings it up, carefully places the set in a velvet box, then double-boxes it for safety. I hold the bag in both hands as we head out, like I'm carrying something fragile and sacred. Because I am.

  The ring is perfect. It's the right one. The right size. The right moment.

  The second we get to my car, I slide behind the wheel. My moms climb into the back seat like I'm their chauffeur and immediately start whispering to each other.