I helped her out of the car and held her hand on the way inside. The concierge at the door greeted us, and since there was only one other person there, looking around walked over to the lone sales assistant. I knew of this place because dad always buys his jewelry here but had never been myself.
“I need something in the back.” He looked us over, taking in everything, as I’m sure he was wondering how I knew about that. “What exactly are you looking for, sir?”
“An emerald.” I wanted something to match her eyes. I felt her hand shake in mine as the older gentleman asked us to follow him around the side to a hidden door that was hidden from the rest of the store.
He spoke into the mic in his ear, and someone else unlocked the door. “This young man would like to see emeralds.” The lady gave us the same once over before stepping back out of the way to let us in. “You look familiar, do I know you?”
“You must be thinking about my dad, Eric Stevens everyone says we look alike.”
I saw her relax as a wide smile came across her face. I guess now that she knew who we were; she felt more like she wasn’t about to waste her time. “I’m Tyler, and this is Lora.” I held out my hand for her to shake while Lora tried to disappear into my side. I sometimes forget that she’s not accustomed to the same wealth as me and that she sometimes gets uncomfortable in certain situations.
I plan to change that shit soon, though, especially since it reminded me of what Sherry had said that night about Lora not being one of us. Dad gives her an allowance I know, and she has a much better wardrobe now than she used to, but she doesn’t have any luxuries other than the bare necessities as far as I know, which works out fine for me because I can’t wait to spoil her.
“You don’t have to get me anything.” That was the first thing she said when the sales lady brought out the tray or gold and emerald rings. “Hush!” I leaned into her ear. “I want to spoil you, get used to it.” I chose the best ring on offer without checking the price and followed the lady back out to the register with my black card. “Let’s go!”
Tyler
The day was amazing. I kept her out all day until just before dinnertime. When we left the jeweler’s, I took her for a walk along the local promenade where we sat and looked over the water. I didn’t once give any thought to us being seen by any of our friends; our being together could be easily explained away if it came to that.
Though we shared a few kissed here and there and held hands most of the time. “I thought you said we have to stay low key?” I was swinging our joined hands between us as we both used our free hands to eat the ice cream cones I’d just bought us when she asked.
“I feel like holding your hand.” I also knew she liked it and that even though she agreed to take things slow for the next little while that what she really wanted was to do all the things a couple in love are supposed to. I don’t blame her, I want the same, so where I can get away with it, I will, like now.
The promenade isn’t exactly the hangout spot for teens, as was evident by the number of middle-aged couples and couples with kids who were milling around, so I thought it relatively safe for us to be ourselves. Besides, it was the first day after I took her virginity, and in my mind, I knew I needed to make it as special as I possibly could for her before going back home.
We’d decided to pretend that the ring was a much less expensive purchase that she’s made for herself, for the time being, something I didn’t really care too much about. As long as we knew the truth, it didn’t matter to me one way or another. I’m amazed at my lying ability.
It’s not something I’ve ever been good at or had to try in the past. But I found that to keep what we had growing between us safe; I was more than willing to lie to my dad for the next few weeks until I could clear the air. Maybe it was easier because I knew that he’d understand, at least I was hoping he would.
“What else do you want to do? Not that.” I shut her down when I saw the twinkle in her eye. It wasn’t the first time since we left the house that she cried to get me to take her somewhere to make out. I was ever mindful of how sore she must still be and figured later on tonight was time enough to have her again. She, on the other hand, seemed to be in a state of constant heat.