Christmas with a Rockstar (Rock Revenge Trilogy 3.50)

The woman removed a ring cushion from behind the glass counter and set it on top. She removed one ring, then another and another until only one plain band remained. It wasn’t even gold. It was just…plain.

“What is this?”

“This is the ring in your price range. Suitable or no?”

“No. That won’t do.” When Nick tried to talk, I spoke over him, naming a price between my original one and Nick’s ridiculous low-ball figure. “Do you have anything in that range?”

The door opened behind us and I glanced over my shoulder as Simon came in, looking harried. “Fucking zoo out there, Jesus fuck.” He did not use his indoor voice.

The man behind the counter cleared his throat. “One of your friends?”

“My brother.” Saying it was still weird, in a good way. “Come help me decide.”

“I’m here too, you know. I’m somewhat of an expert on wedding rings.”

I glanced at Nick. “Oh, are you now?”

“Yes. I helped Gray with his, and of course got Lila the most magnificent ring in the history of rings.”

“Of course.”

Simon elbowed between us and poked at the new tray of rings that had been produced in response to my much more reasonable price range. “That one’s pretty.”

The ring he indicated was a giant pink stone. “No, not for Zoe. She wouldn’t like it that large and she’s not a pink sort.”

“What about that one?” He indicated a cluster of diamonds with a big center stone surrounded by pinpricks of sapphires. “It’s classy.”

I shook my head. “Not Zoe’s style.”

Nick sighed. “This is going to take years.”

“It better not take years. I just talked to Margo.”

I shifted toward Simon. “Is Zoe okay?”

“Zoe’s fine.”

“Are you sure? What about the baby? We should go back. I knew I shouldn’t leave her when the weather is poor.”

“Hi, not sure if you remember, but my wife is the one about to pop.”

“Oh.” I swallowed. “Right. Of course, you’re right. How is Margo?”

“She’s acting strange. She kept insisting she was fine, but her voice was all…edgy.”

“You didn’t have sex with her, right?”

The woman behind the counter clapped a hand over her mouth and turned away.

Even Simon had the decency to look chagrined as he frowned at Nick. “Am I not allowed to have sex with my wife now?”

“Oh, God. I knew you didn’t read that chapter. I just knew it. Li had more faith in you. She should know better. You’ve never made it through a whole book in your entire life.”

I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. I just wanted to buy my ring and go. Assuming one even existed in this shop that would come close to what my Zoe deserved.

She put up with me, so she deserved extra sparkle. But sneaky sparkle, because anything ostentatious she would immediately veto.

“What book are you even talking about?”