"You were that close to him?" Danny asked.
"Yup. About four feet with people in between me and the barricade thingy. He was the nicest guy. I swear. He talked to every fan who said something to him, and signed every piece of paper shoved in his face. Classy guy, gracious and patient. I walked away with an autograph, some photos, but also a deep respect for him as a person. I hope he's always like that. Some actors get rude over time. I hope Darren Criss retains his genuine niceness." I knew I was rambling, but it was how I felt. It was the first time I'd been close to someone famous, and I'd gotten a really great vibe off of him. It made me like his music and acting all the more, knowing he was a nice guy in real life.
Danny put his hand over his heart in a dramatic fashion and said, "I believe an all-night Glee marathon is in order."
I smiled. "Sounds good to me. Although I might be tempted to sing along." Suddenly I was as comfortable as ever in Tristan's world, because I didn't have to stop being myself.
Kirsty waved her hand at me. "Danny sings too. You'll fit in just fine." She turned to Claire and said, "I really like your dad's boyfriend."
I thought Tristan would make another comment, but he didn't.
Kirsty and Danny started talking to me, but I caught sight of the expression Claire gave her father. Not anger. Not disappointment. Not frustration. Not embarrassment. Claire exuded contentment. I think she was truly pleased with her dad.
"I love you, Dad," she said finally, hugging him tight.
"I love you too, sweetness."
If I hadn't been caught up in the moment talking plot issues and character flaws with Danny and Kirsty, I might have cried.
THE MANAGER of Hot Topic kept watching us, and eventually I suggested we leave because he made me feel uncomfortable. Tristan bought me a few shirts, and we added another bag to our load. His daughter and her friends joined us for ice cream but decided to scamper off when everyone was finished. Kirsty had commented, "Hanging with your dad, Claire, isn't as cool as I thought it would be, even if he is gay." We went our separate ways, but in good spirits.
Tristan stopped strolling and pointed to a jewelry store. "Well, are you ready for this?"
I nodded slowly. "I think so."
"Just remember, if you don't see something in this store, there are plenty of other places to try. Don't settle for something you don't want."
"Okay."
As soon as we walked through the door, several sales associates made eye contact. The sudden lust for a sale filled the room, and I grabbed on to Tristan's arm instinctively. I didn't want them descending on me all at once. I felt like the only duck in the sky on the opening day of hunting season.
Tristan must have sensed my unease, because he whispered, "I'll handle it."
He walked toward the display case at the back of the store, but a woman stepped up and asked, "May I help you?"
"No, thanks. We're just looking," he said curtly.
"We have a few sales if you're interested in-"
He stopped and spoke more sternly. "We're fine, thank you."
She looked flustered and shrunk back. "Okay."
Tristan continued toward the back of the store, and I increased my grip on his arm. Tristan patted my hand. "Trust me."
"I am."
He drifted past a few cases of rings and stopped by the wedding bands. As he perused the selections, my eyes wandered over to the case next to us. Diamond solitaire rings. I sighed. I would not have described myself as a queen, and I had never been interested in planning out my wedding or imagining what my "gown" would look like as a typical bride would do, but as soon as my eyes lit upon those sparkling gems, something inside woke up.
"What about this one?" Tristan asked, pointing at a gold band with filigree around the edges.
"It's nice, but it seems a little fancy for you."
"Too fancy?" he questioned. "You don't think I could be fancy?" Tristan lifted an eyebrow, challenging my assumption. I couldn't tell if he was upset about what I'd said, or curious as to why.
I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. I was just thinking about all the dirt and grime that might get lodged in the grooves of the design. It would be hard to keep clean."
He lifted the corner of his mouth. "I wouldn't have thought of that, but you're right. I guess I should get a plain band. I thought matching bands would be nice, but I didn't think you'd want something simple."
How did he know that? "I don't know. I might be okay with a simple band, if … ." I paused, reluctant to say what I was thinking.
"If what? Is there something you're interested in over there?" he asked, pointing to the other case.
I dropped my gaze and answered quietly, "Maybe."
Tristan snickered, stepped closer, and lifted my chin. I straightened my shoulders and looked him in the eyes, readying myself for whatever he was about to say. Tristan touched my chest with the back of his knuckles and slid his hand down a few inches. "You're adorable."
I felt my cheeks get hot.
He pointed out, "Those are engagement rings, Grant, but I suppose I owe you one, if that's what you want."
My heart fluttered. I ran my eyes over them again. "They're really pretty," I mused.
Tristan slid his arm behind my back and leaned closer. We peered at the rings together. "Which one do you like?"
"I like that one," I said, tapping my finger on the glass over a square diamond set in a silver-colored band-which I assumed was white gold or platinum. Silver wasn't very expensive. It was outlined in smaller diamonds, which ran down the sides of the band as well. It reminded me of something my grandmother had worn. It was more old-fashioned compared to the other ones, but I could not tear my eyes from it.
"Yeah?"
I nodded, trying to contain my delight-although he could probably hear my pounding heart, it was beating so loud in my ears.
Tristan patted my back and walked over to a sales associate. Not the first woman who had addressed us, but a man who was rearranging some necklaces in a case. "My fiancé would like to look at a ring when you have a moment."
"I can help you with that," the other woman said, stepping away from her area.
Tristan objected, "No. I'm sure this man can do it." Tristan turned back to the guy, and he smiled.
"I'll be right there," he said.
Tristan strolled back over and waited until the guy locked the case he'd been working in.
I whispered, "Why that guy? What's wrong with that other woman?"
He whispered in my ear, "I don't like pushy salespeople. That other guy is young and probably doesn't get as many sales as the older woman. When I buy something, I don't like to feel pressured. If that woman helped us, I get the feeling she'd say all the right things to convince us what we should buy. I can't explain it, but I just don't like her."
The young guy walked over but did glance at the woman behind us. He smiled and asked, "What can I show you?"
I tapped on the glass again. "That one. The second from the top row on your left."
"Ah! The Rosemont. Good choice. It's new." He unlocked the case and plucked the ring from the display. "It might be a little small for you, but we can size it for free." He shined it up with a piece of cloth and then handed it to me.
I was so excited that it surprised me how steady my hands were when I took the ring from Jim-I read his nametag. Jim handed me the ring, and I held it like my most prized possession.
Jim explained, "This is a princess-cut, three-quarter karat diamond set in white gold, surrounded by micro diamonds, with three others on each side, totaling 0.3 karats, for a total weight of 1.05. Notice the hand engraved, scrolling filigree around the top of the tapered band and along the sides, which elevates the setting. It's quite stunning; I can see why you chose it."
"Can I put it on?" I asked.
Jim replied, "Of course. Remember, if it's too small we can size it."
I glanced at Tristan nervously.
"Go ahead, Grant. If that's the one you like."
I stared at the beautiful ring in my hand. I was afraid to put it on. It wasn't because it might not fit. I had long slim fingers, so my chances we good. I was afraid that this was all really happening. I was going to get married to a man I hardly knew, and this ring was a symbol of the commitment I'd leaped into. I started breathing faster.
I paused too long, and Tristan took the ring from my grasp. He took my left hand and held the ring steadily at the tip. Before I knew what was happening, he dropped to one knee. "Grant Adams, will you marry me?"