“The closet, I think.”
“Uh oh. He’s got crazy things hidden there.”
Trey laughed. She felt like his ally and Zane’s too, the piece that fit their puzzle more snugly together.
Zane returned with a black leather jewelry box. The image of a pair of hands holding a crowned heart was stamped on it in silver.
“They’re Claddagh rings,” he said, thrusting the box at Trey.
Three nestled in the velvet slit, one in each of their sizes, beautifully fashioned in platinum. Seeing them, Trey’s eyes filled up with hot tears.
“They’re hokey,” Zane accused himself.
“They’re perfect,” Trey contradicted.
“Say the words,” Rebecca urged softly. “Trey pretends he doesn’t need to hear them, but he does.”
“I love you both,” Zane said. “I love you both a lot. I want us to be together for a long time.”
Trey looked from the rings to him. Time folded back to the night they’d become friends and more. That was the night his life began. “How long is a long time?”
“Forever,” Zane swore, his eyes as blue as sun-struck sapphires.
Trey smiled, reaching sideways to grasp Rebecca’s hand.
“Forever will do,” he responded.
# # #