I sit up straighter, the hairs on the back of my neck tingling.
He looks at Winnie, who’s engrossed in her game, then reaches in his pocket and hands me a small box.
I flip it open, and the tingling in my neck spreads throughout my body. Inside the box is a large sparkling diamond unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It outdoes any diamond I’ve looked at in the last two weeks. Well, actually the last two months, with the exception of the time Presley and I weren’t together.
“This is incredible.”
“It was my Lydia’s. Believe me, it wasn’t the first diamond I put on her finger, but it was the last. The first ring was a small thing, but it was all I could afford when we started out. I know it sounds cliché, but by our tenth anniversary, my career had taken off, and we had three children. I had a ring made for her with a diamond to represent each of the kids. She loved it and all it represented. When she died, we buried her with a replica and put the real one away.”
“It’s incredibly beautiful.”
“When Presley came home from Baton Rouge and was torn up, I found her in my closet one day, sitting in front of the open safe, staring at that ring while tears poured down her cheeks. She never said anything, but I knew what she was thinking.”
“Jesus.” My gut twists at the image and the reminder.
“I’m not trying to overstep my boundaries here, but I heard you’ve been looking at rings.”
“What the hell?” My head jerks to him. “How’d you know that?”
“It doesn’t matter, but have you found anything?”
It hits me; my parents are the only people who know my endless search for the perfect ring. “Not yet. Nothing stands out enough. Everything seems so commercial.”
“I agree. That’s how I felt all those years ago. The last thing I want to do is insult you, but if you’d like, this diamond is yours to give to Presley. The only thing I ask is that if in later years, you decide to do what I did, this stays in the family.”
A lump forms in my throat at the gesture, and I can picture the exact setting this diamond will go in. “I think she’d love this.”
“So, I figure you know my answer, but it’s still good manners to talk to me about this.” His tone goes deep as he squares his shoulders.
I snap the box closed and look him in the eye like a man. “Jeff, I’d like to marry Presley and spend the rest of my life worshipping her. It would mean a lot to have your blessing.”
My knees bounce as he eyes me intently. Then he bursts out laughing. “Damn! You know my answer, and you still look like a frightened puppy.”
I chuckle under my breath and shake my head.
“Finn, there’s no man on this earth deserving of my Presley, but considering how much you love each other, you’ll do.”
He gives me an approving glance as our food is served.
Now, I need to figure out the perfect way to get the ring on her finger.
“Did you hear me holler when they announced your name?” Presley threads her fingers through mine and puts my hand in her lap.
“Yeah, babe, I think the whole campus may have heard you.”
“Sorry, I was so excited. This is a big deal. Aren’t you proud of yourself? I’m proud of you. This is a huge accomplishment. I mean, I’m sure boot camp graduation was superior, considering the weeks of hell, but still.” She babbles endlessly, fidgeting as she goes from looking at me and then out the truck window.
“Presley? You okay?”
“Of course. Why?”
“No offense, but you haven’t shut up since we got into the truck. And not that I’m not appreciative, but you’ve told me how proud of me you are four times.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m super nervous.”
“About me graduating?”
“No, about your present.”