I Just Want You(73)

Checking into the hotel, I order some room service and call my girl.

"Hey, you. I was starting to get worried."

"My flight landed early, so I went straight there. It's done. Can you believe that? Fly all that way for thirty minutes." 

She laughs. "It's done. Now you never have to go back."

"Have you ever been?"

"No, but I hear it's an experience." There's humor in her voice.

"You sound like you're feeling better."

"Yeah, today has been a little better so far. Don't worry about me. What are you up to the rest of the day?"

"Christmas is just a few weeks away. Maybe I'll start my shopping."

This she laughs at. Not just her cute chuckle, but a full-on gut-busting laugh. It's infectious and I feel myself relax. "What?" I ask her.

"Sorry, I just can't see you window-shopping in New York City."

"Well, what else am I going to do? I tried to get an earlier flight and still nothing."

"I have a great idea," she says with enthusiasm.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you try to relax? You've been working yourself like crazy the last year. The club is up and running and doing amazing, and it's in good hands. Take the night to just relax. Hell, even sleep."

"Right. Like I can sleep without you here."

"Try. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Berklee."

"Yeah?"

"See you soon," I say, ending the call. For weeks I've been trying to find the right time to say I love you and I almost fuck up and tell her on the phone.

After eating, I decide to venture out, thinking I really should use the time to get her something great for Christmas. Just across the street from the hotel is a Tiffany's. Perfect. I walk inside and head straight for the earrings. Some diamonds for our first Christmas together.

"Welcome! Is there something I can help you with?" an older gentleman asks.

"Looking for a gift for my girlfriend."

"Ah. Well, diamonds are a girl's best friend." He laughs.

"What about those?" I point to a square diamond.

"Excellent choice. Princess-cut solitaire. These are one carat."

"Do you have anything bigger?"

"Sure, step down this way." I follow him to the end of the case. "These are two carats and these are three. You can see the difference."

"Yeah, I think two is what I'm looking for."

"Excellent. Can I help you look at anything else? Engagement rings, maybe?" He winks.

You know what? "Why not?" I say, following him to yet another glass case.

"You seem to like the princess cut, so let me show you one of our newest pieces." I watch as he reaches into the case and pulls out the ring. It's Berklee. I can see it on her finger. "This is actually four smaller princess-cut stones in the center diamond at a half carat each, totaling two carats. There is also half a carat of baguette diamonds on each side. And this"-he hands me a diamond band-"is the matching wedding band, totaling one carat of baguette diamonds.

The rings together sparkle, reminding me of her eyes when she's happy. I can see both on her finger. "I'll take them," I find myself saying. "I'm actually from out of town. Can I have them shipped home so I don't have to worry about taking them on the plane with me?"

"Certainly, we can overnight them free of charge. There will need to be someone present to sign for them."

"I'll send them to my work." I rattle off the address while handing over my credit card.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm walking out with a grin. I just bought Berklee an engagement ring, and I have yet to even tell her I'm in love with her. I guess I need to rectify that situation. I'd marry her today if I thought she would say yes, but baby steps and all that. At least when the time comes, I'll be ready.




 

 

I hit a few more shops and then decide to call it a day. I call room service again and text Berklee.



Me: Miss you



Berklee: You too. See you soon.



Nothing on TV as I mindlessly scroll through the stations. I've already checked my e-mails and responded, so this is what I've resorted to. My phone pings, alerting me to a message. I jump off the bed to retrieve it from the dresser hoping that it's Berklee.

It's a text from Carly, one of the server/bartenders at the club. Opening the message, it takes me a few minutes to figure out what I'm looking at until the second text comes through, that too is a picture. This one is clearer. It's Berklee sitting at a table at the club. Barry's next to her, his arm behind her chair, his lips next to her ear. The minute I have to leave town, he pounces. A third message comes in and it's a picture of Berklee kissing Barry on the cheek. From the angle, her mouth is too close to his.