Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 38: Rose, Yellow, White

"What's got into you today, baby?" Courtney laughs when they cut filming late the following Wednesday morning. They'd filmed a big group game of quiplash, and while none of the jokes had been particularly referential to each other, Shayne had spent half the video finding reasons to lean over or against her.

"Nothing, I just feel like hugging you today," Shayne laughs off her comment, arm wrapping around her shoulder as they slide back into the wider conversation around them, walking back to the office space. He hates lying to her, but as far as she's concerned, he and Damien are just going to be having a chill hangout after they finish their lunch meeting.

"Not complaining," she answers him softly, head tilting to the side to press against his shoulder for a moment before they fall back into the rest of their workday.

"You excited?" Damien asks, when they leave the office together in Shayne's car a few hours later, fifteen minutes after Courtney had already left.

"Yeah, it's kind of just a big world I don't really understand at the moment," he replies, with a shrug, "I've done some low-key googling to try and get an idea of what I'm looking for but I still don't really know."

"Hopefully going to a big place like this will mean you can get some general info early on, even if you don't actually end up buying from somewhere like that in the end," he points out, Shayne nodding.

"Yeah, that's the plan. There's a couple of engagement ring focussed places at this mall that I know of, I figure between them I should be able to at least gauge what's out there style wise which is all I really want at this point."

"Just so I have an idea, do you have a budget in mind?" Damien presses, and Shayne shakes his head.

"It's not really... a big factor. Obviously I'm keeping it within reason, but... I'm okay with dropping quite a lot of money on this if it's the right one, but I'm also okay if the right one isn't quite so expensive," he explains, "I think I'll just look and... not even think about the price question yet."

The first store they visit is a brand name they both know well – from advertisements, more than anything. The first impression the place gives is darkness: the walls and floor are all black, the lights not particularly bright, and the salespeople standing behind the counters lining the walls are in suits. A middle-aged woman smiles and asks them if they're looking for anything in particular, although her smile is clearly forced.

"Um, just looking thanks," Shayne speaks up, quickly, glancing away from her and down to the cabinet of rings in front of him. It's overwhelming, and they wander around the store for a couple of minutes – constantly trailed by the salesperson, of course – before he gives an invisible signal to Damien and they walk out.

"Well that was... uninviting," Damien mumbles, when they're a couple of stores away, and Shayne nods.

"I got absolutely nothing out of that except feeling like I'm underdressed except these are my work clothes and we're in a goddamn mall," he mutters, stuffing his hands in his pockets. They get stereotypical LA drinks to relax before they try again with the next one, a suggestion from Chris, although it immediately seems to give off a different vibe.

"Hey guys! How's your day going?" The sales assistant – another middle-aged woman, although she seems much more genuine – asks. She doesn't immediately walk over to where they've entered, still standing behind one of the counters.

"Hey, good thanks, yours?" Shayne replies quickly, Damien nodding his own greeting.

"Good, good, now- you look a little overwhelmed, is there something I can help you with? It's totally fine if you don't know what you're looking for, that's what I'm here for," she continues, as they walk further into the store and pause at the cabinet in front of her.