[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Clay s best friend, but he seemed as happy and excited about it as I was.
Nick s visit didn t happen as soon as either of us hoped. Clay invited him, and kept inviting
him, but Nick was always busy. Work commitments, he said, which made sense to me, but only
seemed to infuriate Clay. I didn t care. The point was that Clay wanted me to meet his best
friend. It was only a matter of time before he introduced me to everyone else in his life, and I
could stop worrying.
Kelley Armstrong Beginnings 175
Clay s next big  relationship move step was, quite possibly, the last I would have expected.
The night before Valentine s Day, we went to a movie, and Clay insisted on cutting through the
mall instead of heading out the theater's rear exit, which was the first sign that something was
afoot. When he steered me into a jewelry store, my heart sank. I knew what was coming: he d
want me to pick out a gift for myself. Very sweet, but I d been hoping he d follow-up on hints
about my fraying knapsack instead. Clay had never been the  roses, candy and jewelry kind of
boyfriend, and I liked it that way. But I guess Valentine s Day brings out a certain set of
expectations in even the least conventionally romantic lover. So I slapped on an excited smile
and let him lead me to the jewelry counter.
A salesperson flitted over, her smile as wide and fake as my own.
 Can I help you, sir? she trilled.
Clay waved her away. She didn t leave, but he acted as if she had, turning sideways to face
me.
 That what you want? he said, tapping his fingers on the glass.
Inside the case were rings. Diamond rings. Diamond engagement rings.
I bit back a laugh.  Uh, wrong type, Clay. I think what you want is over there. I pointed
at the regular ring display on the other side.  Offer me one of these and you ll find yourself
forced to make good on that first and last thing.
 Yeah, so? That s the idea, isn t it?
My heart skipped. For a minute, I stared, certain I d misheard. When I finally opened my
mouth, Clay s gaze slid to the hovering clerk. He tugged me aside and lowered his voice.
 That is what you want, isn t it? he said.  Marriage? Doesn t matter to me. I said first and
last, and I don t need a piece of paper to hold me to it. But it s important to you, right?
Kelley Armstrong Beginnings 176
 I, uh, well  Oh God, were we really having this discussion in a shopping mall?  I don t
need it. Not now, that s for sure. I m only twenty. But someday, of course, well, that is where
I d like to end up . . .
 It s important, then. Getting married.
I nodded.  Yes, it s important to me.
 Then that s what we ll do. Whenever you want it. But even if you don t want that  He
jerked his thumb at a bridal photo.   just yet, maybe you should have that. He nodded at the
ring display case.  Make things clear.
I smiled.  You mean, maybe if we re engaged I ll stop being so damned stubborn and move
in with you?
 Makes sense. That roommate of yours 
I lifted my hand.  I ve heard all the arguments, and I m not going to promise that an
engagement ring would change my mind. I m . . . funny about that, I guess. Old-fashioned.
 You want to do it right. So do I. He nudged me back toward the counter.  If I m going
to do it right, I want to make sure I get something you like. He pointed at the biggest rock in
the display.  How about that?
I laughed.  You can t afford that.
 Don t be so sure.
The clerk sidled back again.
 Even if you could, I wouldn t want it, I said.  Definitely not my style.
 So pick your style. Anything you d like.
I surveyed the selection.  None of them are really . . . I don t know. Something simpler, I
guess. Any ring can be an engagement ring, right?
Kelley Armstrong Beginnings 177
The clerk cleared her throat.  The diamond ring is the traditional choice, and you have
lovely long fingers, perfect for showing off a large solitaire  At a look from Clay she
swallowed the rest of the sentence.  Or, if you d like something nontraditional, it is, of course,
your choice.
I moved to the standard rings, frowning as I looked them over.
 I want something simple, I said.  But . . . I don t know. It should still look like an
engagement ring, I suppose.
 How about this?
Clay pulled a box from his pocket. Now it was the clerk s turn to glare, arms crossing over
her chest. Clay opened the box. Inside was what looked like two rings, one crossed over the
other. When I looked closer, I could see that the thin bands were fused in the middle. The
outside one was white gold with diamond chips across the front. The other was yellow gold,
inscribed with a delicate pattern that looked like runes. Definitely different. Very simple . . .
and yet not simple at all.
 Wow, I said.
 You like that?
 It s wow. I stared at the ring for another moment, speechless, then blinked hard, pulled
my gaze away and smiled up at him.  Can I try it on?
 Nope. He snapped the box shut and shoved it back into his pocket.  Haven t proposed
yet.
 What ? Didn t you just ask ? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

  • zanotowane.pl
  • doc.pisz.pl
  • pdf.pisz.pl
  • supermarket.pev.pl

    •