Kent glared at her. “You earned that money. The work you do around the office is amazing. Lana, working the hours you do, you deserve a bonus. When the company asked me for feedback I gave them the truth.”
“This has nothing to do with our friendship … or the kiss?” she asked, nibbling her lip.
“I’ve never had to pay for it, Lana, and I don’t expect to start now. I suggest you cut the crap. You earned this money because your work is brilliant.”
He stormed past her making his way up the stairs. “Do you have to look at every gift as if it is a bad fucking thing?” he asked.
Lana followed him up the stairs cringing at the words he was saying. “I’m sorry.”
“You better be. I can’t believe this. You’ve made me feel guilty for telling your boss you were a good worker.”
She closed the door behind her. Several of her neighbours came out to see what the commotion was.
“Sorry,” she said.
Turning back to Kent she saw him pacing her short living room. “Does this mean you don’t want to go shopping with me? Why does everything have to have an angle with you?”
“I’m not used to something like this,” she said, lifting the check up for him to see. “I don’t take anything for granted. This means I can go shopping with you without holding back. I can buy all of your family presents.”
Tears filled her eyes at the true meaning of what the money meant to her.
“Thank you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. Deep gratitude filled her at the gift he’d given her. “This was really thoughtful of you.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything else to her.
“Are you ready to do some shopping?” he asked.
Lana saw he was uncomfortable and decided not to push him. “Yeah,” she said, following him out of the door.
They spent the day moving from shop to shop in the city centre. She went with him when he visited designer boutiques, and he followed her into the more reasonably priced high-street stalls.
After some lunch in a French bistro, they finished shopping for his siblings.
“Sophie will want something designer,” he said.
“Why?” Lana took a lollipop out of her bag, unwrapping the foil around it and started to suck. Kent paused in talking to watch her.
“What?” she asked.
He shook his head, smiled and carried on talking. “Her theory is down to the fact I’m made of money I should splurge on her.”
“That’s not very nice,” Lana said.
Kent chuckled. “One Christmas I bought her a pair of slippers from the corner shop. She went mad because they were too big and ugly for her. It’s kind of a long running joke for us.”
She smiled even though she didn’t understand the joke. Lana stood with him as he checked through several items of jewellery. While the assistant was flirting with him Lana gazed over several of the jewels. A ruby pendant caught her eye. The jewel in the centre was surrounded by a silver serpent. The design was entirely feminine and beautifully crafted. When she spotted the cost of the piece she shook her head. There was no way she’d ever be able to afford such an extravagant piece of jewellery. She’d be terrified to wear it.
“What are you looking at?” Kent asked, making her jump in the process.
“You startled me.” Lana pressed a palm to her breast.
“Sorry. What were you looking at?”
Pointing at the necklace, she waited to see his reaction. “It’s beautiful. I want to see it on you.” He signalled to the assistant.
“No, I can’t afford anything like this, Kent. Please, don’t.” She grabbed his arm, giving him a shove, but he ignored her.
The assistant walked over with an easy smile. Lana watched as she checked out Kent. “What can I help you with, Sir?” she asked.
I’ll give you Sir.
Her jealousy was going to land her in heaps of trouble.
You’re friends. Stop acting like you’re something more.
“My friend will try on the ruby serpent,” Kent said. There was no asking; he simply demanded.
The woman smiled. She unlocked the case and carefully brought the necklace toward her. Lana stared at the necklace, which was even more beautiful when it wasn’t covered by the safety glass.
She lifted her hair up as the woman secured the clasp. Lana turned toward the mirror and stared. She wished she could be frivolous with money and buy it. Instead, she lifted her hair up and waited for the woman to remove the necklace.
****
Kent saw her desire for the necklace. The cost of the jewel didn’t faze him, and yet Lana looked so unhappy by it. He gave the assistant a nod. This would go with Lana’s gifts. He wouldn’t leave the shop without having the necklace put away for her. The way her eyes lit up at the sight of the jewel was more than worth the effort of coming back to get it.