“What do you see?” he asked, curious as to what would spark such a reaction in Gretchen. She didn’t seem to wear much jewelry.
“That necklace,” she said, pointing out a teardrop-shaped opal, speckled with blue and pink fire. “That’s my birthstone. I’ve never seen a natural opal with such bright fire in it before.”
It was pretty, and not at all what he expected her to choose in the case of flashy diamonds and other glittering and expensive gemstones. He doubted Bridgette even knew what an opal was. Julian hovered, waiting for the expectant look he was used to seeing, but Gretchen just shrugged and continued down the case. She continued to surprise him. Perhaps she deserved a surprise in return.
“Mr. Cooper,” the owner of the store greeted them as he came out from the back room. “Come with me. I have everything ready for you.”
They were taken to a private room in the back where they could inspect the rings and sign for them. There was a lot of gold and a lot of diamonds involved, so he wanted to make sure everything was perfect for Murray and Kelly.
“Is there anything else I can do for you today, Mr. Cooper?” the jeweler asked.
“Actually, yes. That opal teardrop necklace in the case. I’d like that for my companion, please.”
The man nodded. “An excellent choice.” He called out to the woman at the counter to bring it back to them.
Julian ignored the stunned look on Gretchen’s face as the jeweler presented the necklace on a velvet tray. “It looks perfect, thank you.”
“Would you like it boxed up?”
“No, we’ll be wearing it out.” Julian reached for the necklace and unfastened the clasp. Before Gretchen could breathe a word of argument, he rose from his chair to stand behind her. He gently brushed a loose strand of dark hair from her neck, then draped the necklace at her throat. When fastened, the gem fell right beneath her collarbone and was highlighted nicely by the low plunge of her sweater.
“Lovely,” the jeweler said. “I’ll put the box in the bag with the rings for you.”
Julian handed over his black American Express card as the jeweler left the room.
“What is this for?” she finally said when they were alone. “This necklace was super expensive.”
He could only shrug and dismiss it the same way she’d dismissed the idea of getting the necklace. “It made you smile,” he said. “That was worth every penny.”
Gretchen gripped the pendant in her hand, shaking her head. “I’m already being paid a ridiculous amount for this. You don’t have to buy me anything.”
Julian tried not to flinch at that unfortunate reminder. He’d nearly forgotten that she was being paid to be with him. She was so unlike all the other people in his life with their hands out that it was an unwelcome shock to remember she was getting her piece of him just like the rest. And yet he somehow knew that she was different.
In the end it didn’t matter. He wanted to buy the necklace and he bought it. “It’s a gift. Enjoy it.”
The jeweler returned with his card and receipt. “Anything else I can do for you today?”
As they stood, Julian considered the reporters outside waiting for them. He’d spied a little café up the block, but he didn’t want them following the two of them there. He wanted some quiet time with Gretchen before the wedding chaos began.
“Just one more thing. Do you have a rear exit we could use?”
Five
“Is that all you’re going to eat?” Gretchen asked. “Seriously, I can’t have those camera guys show up and document me here with a full plate while you pick at a spinach salad with no dressing.”
“I told you,” he said with a smile, “I’m saving up for that cake of Amelia’s.”
Gretchen looked down at her sandwich and shrugged before taking another bite. “You could at least have the decency to order more food for appearances and just not eat it.”
“No one is looking at us, Gretchen. We’re hidden in the back corner of a tiny café. Relax and enjoy your food.”
Gretchen took a few more bites before she worked up the nerve to ask Julian a question. “Do you ever get tired of it?”
“Tired of what?”
“Tired of being treated like a piece of meat?”
Julian smothered a snort of laughter. “Actually, yes, I do. But I won’t look like this forever. I’m young, in my physical prime, so I thought I should make the most of it while I can. I suppose I can tackle some meatier scripts when I’m older and people aren’t that interested in my biceps anymore.”