Mister Fake Fiance

Erin lets out a small sigh, tears her gaze from the ruby ring and looks at others. They aren’t as unique as the ruby, but they’re classy—solitaire diamonds or three-stone rings. Some of the stones are larger, some smaller. The bands are the key point because they have interesting designs, many incorporating cool twists of pink and yellow gold.

She points at a simple band with a single moderately sized brilliant-cut diamond. “Maybe this one…?” She says it brightly, but I can sense the wistfulness of someone taking a second choice because she doesn’t think she should have what she really wants.

And I don’t like it. She should always have what she really wants.

Her gaze flickers to the ruby again. The movement is so quick that I would’ve missed it if I weren’t watching so closely.

Hans smiles. “An excellent choice. The diamond is of the first water.”

“Mmm.” Erin sounds like she’s trying to make herself feel better about the consolation prize.

No, no, no. I don’t care how much the ruby ring costs. Erin should demand more. She might think she shouldn’t because she’s the one who proposed this fake engagement. But I agreed, and so it’s not just her deal now, but ours. She should never have to settle. Ever.

“I think the ruby is far superior,” I cut in before Hans can pluck the ring from the velvet and put it on her finger.

“Also an excellent choice,” he says, beaming.

I wonder if his vocabulary is limited to “excellent” and “choice” every time a client indicates some merchandise. There’s no comparison between what I picked and what Erin did.

He continues, “That’s the latest project Masako just completed.”

Erin looks at me, her eyes darting between me and the ring. “It’s ruby. It isn’t going to work.” She’d be more convincing if she didn’t sound like an ice cream addict who’s just learned she’s become lactose intolerant.

“Sure it will. There’s no law that says you have to have a diamond,” I say.

“You’re drunk.”

“Nobody gets drunk off one glass of champagne.”

She sets her chin stubbornly. “Everyone has diamonds.”

“Not everyone. Anthony Blackwood commissioned a pearl ring to propose to his wife,” Hans puts in quickly. “Masako designed it. It’s quite stunning.”

I start to like Hans better. “Seeee?”

“But…” She looks back at the ruby. “It’s really…red.”

“Of course. Pigeon’s blood. And an exquisite shade, neither too dark nor too light. Your fiancé has discerning taste in jewelry.”

Hans is on a roll now. Keep the praise coming…

“It’s a ruby. It’ll look great on you. Really pop.” I can visualize it already on her long, slim finger. It’ll sparkle like a star when she’s typing on her computer…when she’s holding her phone…when she’s taking notes in meetings…when she’s drinking coffee… Then I think about how it’ll look if she wears that flaming red dress again.

Holy shit.

“Then everyone’s going to see

, right?” Erin murmurs.

“Well, yeah. That’s kind of the whole point,” I say. “Who wants an invisible engagement ring?”

Hans inclines his head in an I have no choice but to agree gesture.

“Conventional is boring. Everyone does it. You should stand out, Erin. You deserve to.”

Erin searches my eyes for a moment, then looks down at the rings on the velvet tray. Finally, she lets out a sigh. “Okay. Let’s do the ruby.”

I smile, happy she got what drew her eye the whole time, rather than the boring one she didn’t really want.