Sweet Pain (Amatucci Family #3) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,115

the near future? What’s your occupation?”

Willow blinked. “I have no idea, and I’m a baker.”

Ms. Goldie nodded as she eyed Willow from tip to toe. “Well, I’d say get started on those babies, if you’re wanting them. I can make the ring just a touch bigger to allow for swelling hands. You could wear a spacer on it until you’re done bringing about new life. Once you’re done, you can bring it back in and I’ll size it back down for you.”

Willow nodded. “That’d be great, thank you, Ms. Goldie.”

Opal nodded. “As for baking, this is a vintage Cartier Art Deco ring. Back in it’s day it was a treasure. It’s even more so now. You wear gloves if you keep this ring on your finger while you’re working. You hearing me, missy?”

Willow nodded. “Yes, Ms. Goldie, I promise.”

Ms. Goldie smiled. “Good girl.” She turned back to me. “Now leave. I’ll call you when it’s done.”

I chuckled as I leaned down, bussed the snappy jeweler’s cheek. “Thank you, Ms. Goldie.”

Her papery cheeks went pink. “Get on with you, rascal. Out. Out.” She shooed us both out the door.

Willow and I stepped back outside.

“Oh, wait. Mr. Penn, you come back here. I forgot to give you something.”

We turned around.

Ms. Goldie waved us back to her door. “Well come in. These old bones don’t like the cold anymore.”

We stepped back through. Stood there while she rummaged around in a pile of rings.

“Now, I don’t normally do this, but Alda is one of my friends. So here, you take this. As soon as I have your ring ready, we’ll swap them out. A girl can’t be engaged to a man like Mr. Penn and not have something flashy on her finger. It’s just CZ, but at least it will glitter.” She smiled and held up a ring.

My eyes widened when I saw the stone. It looked to be the size of a nickel. And it shot fire around the room as it passed through a shaft of light.

Ms. Goldie handed the ring to me. “Okay, that was it. Leave now.”

With laughter shaking our shoulders, Willow and I went back outside. I got her door opened for her and her snuggled into the interior. I slid the outrageous ring on her left finger before I zipped around and got in. The wind was picking up. It almost felt like we could get some snow.

“To your parents?” I asked softly as I turned the engine over. The heat blazed through the vents.

Willow sighed. “I guess. Might as well get it over with. Lay the groundwork under the idea that we’ll get to skewer them at the gala.”

I grabbed her left hand. Almost gave myself a concussion as I went to kiss her knuckles. “Sweet Pete, that thing is huge.”

Willow snickered. “That’s what she said.” She stuck her hand out as I laughed. Let the simulated diamond sparkle. “Way too big for my hand, but it’s pretty in a gaudy kind of way.”

I snorted. “Just what we want to show your parents. I’m too stupid to know any better and way too loose with my money.”

Willow didn’t laugh. She didn’t even smile. “Honestly, I don’t want them to like you.” Her voice was quiet. “Momma and Papa do. Their opinions on you are the ones I care about.” She shook her head. “Beverly and Winslow’s? They cooed and gushed and sang Ethan’s praises. I finally understand why, but it doesn’t make their choice any better. So no, I don’t want them to like you. You’re as different to Ethan as night to day, and I thank the goddess that you are.”

I smiled. “Then let’s go scandalize your parents, shall we?”

**

I pulled up to the old sprawling stone estate that was set in the posh section of New Trenadie. My mother and her husband lived in this section of town as well. I wasn’t sure the comparison was in their favor though.

The closer we got to their house, the quieter Willow became. She was pulling inside herself, pulling away from me. I knew, even understood, why. But I didn’t like it. Would never like it when she distanced herself from me.

I reached out, grabbed her hand. I waited for her to look at me as we sat at the gate and waited for entrance. When her eyes finally lifted to mine, I said, “You and me, together. You won’t be alone in that house. You won’t be alone ever again. But definitely not with these people. We’ll