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40. Pocket

Tamara's jaw nearly hits the cement ground. I stare nervously at her while she searches my face for something.

"Now? Like today?" She breathes out in shock- good or bad, I wasn't sure.

"No, no. Not immediately, I don't think, but I will eventually." I remove myself from my car and head in the direction of the jewelry place on the corner.

"So what do you need me for?" Tamara catches up with me and crosses her and over her chest as she keeps up my pace.

"If I asked Paige what kind of ring she likes, it would be obvious, don't you think?" I pull the door open for her and she walks inside.

"Welcome! How can I help you today?" A cheery old woman grins at us from behind a glass counter.

"I'm Landon, we spoke on the phone earlier?" I extend my hand to her and her eyes widen.

"Yes! Yes, of course! I am Julia. Is this the lovely lady?" She turns towards Tamara and I shake my head.

"No, just here to help." Tamara smiles a tight-lipped smile at her and keeps her arms tightly crossed over her chest.

Julia nods and turns around into another glass case and pulls out a black, velvet box.

"Here is the selection I've suggested from what you've told me."

Julia opens the small, square box and light glints all over the rings inside. It blinds me momentarily and I blink to focus my eyes.

In front of me are 10 rings, some simple, some extravagant. A couple catch my eye, mainly because they are just so over the top.

"Pick a couple and we can examine them further." Julia presses and smiles nervously at Tamara.

"This one," I point to one in the far corner, "that one," there's one in the middle that looks decent, "and this one over here." I point to the far left to a ring that looks like something Paige would wear.

"None of them," Tamara snorts, her expression one of disgust.

"What?" I breathe, completely stupefied.

"Those are all so plain." Tamara points to the rings on the velvet mat beside the box of rings.

"They're simple." Julia reiterates, her tone offended and harsh.

"I'm not helping you." Tamara spits at me and glares.

"Why don't you like me?" I turn around to face her completely and put my hands on my hips.

Just bite the bullet, Landon.

"Paige has never shut up about you. It's gross and annoying." Tamara rolls her eyes and snorts again.

"That makes you hate me?" I almost shout at her. Julia has cowered back into the wall behind the counter.

"Whatever, good luck. See how much Paige likes a plain ass ring." Tamara stalks out of the door and I watch her until she gets to her car.

"I think these rings are very elegant, simple is wonderful." Julia reassures me and smiles kindly.

"I think so too." I start picking up the rings one by one and examining them closely as if I know what I'm doing.

Paige's POV

I'm sitting at a long, glass table listening to middle-aged men bicker about a steel factory that they've recently purchased.

"Miss Moore, a phone call for you." Lily steps into the room and tilts her head to the hallway.

"Excuse me," I nod my head to the men who have now directed their attention to me. They all blink for a moment and then begin talking again.