No Longer Alone

Chapter Fifteen

  *Damian's POV*

    The store was smaller than I am used to shopping in, but that didn't seem to impact the quality of the merchandise in there.  The rather vapid female that was greeted us was easy to ignore, and I waited patiently as Alex chatted with Jen and started browsing on my own a bit.  I appreciated the time to myself to compose my thoughts, while some were related to what was browsing for, others were focused around if I really wanted to continue on this particular path.

    When Jen came over to talk with me, I didn't miss the warning look that she had towards her co-worker, but was a little surprised when instead of asking what range I was looking to spend for my parents, she focused on asking questions about my parents.  Her conversation was friendly, engaged, and full of humor, someone who truly cared about doing her job and doing it right.   We had settled on a watch that my father would love, when Jen pulled my attention to another case in regards to something for my mother, some simple but elegant sets.  She was showing me a birthstone set done with white gold, when I heard the door open again.

    "Well, its my lovely songbird from the other night!  This must be fate!"  I heard Alex call out and glanced over to see Nicole hesitating at the door, glancing between Alex, Jen, and myself.

    "Jen, I'm sorry it seems like you are busier than you were, I can come ba-" Nicole paused just inside and looked like she was about to leave again, when Alex grabbed her arm and dragged her in and towards where Jen and I were.

    "Oh no, I simply must get your help and advice on these two rings that Jen has recommended to me."  Alex came over situating Nicole between the two of us, feeling a little annoyed at how she appeared to be closer to Alex at the moment.  Jen got out the set that I had been looking at for my mother, then pulled another set near Alex.

    "Yes, evidently Alex here want's to find a way to show women that he is not on the market currently.  I had two recommendations for him, but thinking about it, I did want to show this set with one of the rings."  

    Watching out of the corner of my eye I saw Nicole rub her thumb across the claddagh ring she was wearing before letting out a touch of a laugh.

    "Well Mr. Grabby hands, you obviously haven't changed from the other night, but I can't see how I could help you with your quest here."  Nicole laughed a little, and I saw her eyes widen a little at the set that Jen had brought out.  It was a rather unique set, black diamonds surrounded by white diamonds, set in white gold.  The necklace was a super fine silver chain, with a similar style charm hanging from it, the black diamond in the center appeared to be hanging in air, trembling and flashing in the light with the least little motion.

    "Well, before I make any choices I need to see how such a lovely set would look if it was meant to go with a ring like this..."  Alex held up a black ring that had a row of small black diamonds set into it, then looked to the other ring, wondering why this was even a question considering the one he was holding was something more akin to what I would wear than what his style was.  Looking back to Nicole and seeing the way she eyed the set with a smothered longing, it started to click.

    "I don't think I'd be the best model for this, as all women have different tastes..." her left hand drifted over to touch the side of the ring, smiling faintly. 

    "Alex, stop playing, you and I both know that you don't care for black on black, the black and silver is more to your taste."  I sigh a touch seeing the set up, and judging from the earlier reaction of Nicole, she was pulled into this too somehow.  "Though since I may have an interest in this for someone, I would ask if you could do me the favor of trying the ring on at least so I can see how it would look on."

      Nicole shook her head laughing a little at the comments, and watching her I noticed the slight flinch when I mentioned someone.  I actually did like the ring, it was a simple design and one that I might have picked out for myself if it hadn't been pulled out for this stunt.  I picked up the ring and held it up with one hand while holding my other hand out for hers.  She looked at me for a moment before holding her hand out to me, and looking at her slender hands against the ring, I didn't bother trying to put it on her ring finger, it wasn't a ring designed for that, instead sliding the ring on her middle finger, where it fit perfectly.  Her hand was slightly cool feeling nice in my hand as I tilted her hand to the left and right to admire the way the light hit it. 

    "Perfect" I murmured softly and heard a snort of a laugh.

    "Jen has great taste, it will make someone happy, it is a lovely ring."  She narrowed her eyes and looked at the ring again. "This is the one you've been trying to talk me into looking at, isn't it."  

    "Well, it is a perfect style for you."

    Nicole shrugged and smiled at her friend, taking her hand back from me to take the ring off and hand it to me.  My hand flexed a little around the ring, waiting to see how this would play out, Nicole eyeing the rest of the set again, before shaking her head.

    "It is beautiful, and you are right, I do love the design.  We've had this talk before though, there's other stuff that takes priority.  Well, I just mostly came to say hi, and I was asked to give you love from the girls and mom, they are hoping that we can get together for a card night soon."  With that she stepped back and looked to Alex and me, her eyes lingering on my lips for a moment before skittering away.  "It was nice to see you both again, but I have to get going.  Hope you guys have a great day."

    Nicole turned and walked out the store to a rather worn looking car, one that had seen better days, got in and took off.  Jen looked a little sad, while Alex was thoughtful, I saw again the look on her face and tried on the ring that Alex had been looking at on my hand, fitting my right hand ring finger like it had been made for me.

    "I'll take this set as well."