When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek #1)(35)
Author: Brenda Novak

“It’s an ideal cut,” Nunes added. “And it has absolutely no color. Diamonds of this size, with a D grade and an IF clarity, are very rare.”

“Is it more money than the last one?” she asked.

He made a dismissive motion. “Not by much.”

What did that mean? Five thousand? Ten? It irritated her that he wouldn’t be specific. Just because Simon was rich didn’t mean he shouldn’t be concerned with getting a fair deal. “How long will it take you to set it?”

“I can have it ready in three days. You will be my top priority.”

At that price, she should be. But… “I don’t know.” Overwhelmed by the prices and the selection, she frowned at the twinkling display. “Maybe…maybe Simon and I should talk about this.”

Simon stared at her as if he couldn’t figure out what the problem was. “Talk about what?” he asked. “There must be a hundred diamonds here. Surely you can find one you like.”

She gave Nunes an apologetic smile. “Excuse us for a moment.”

“Just pick one so we can decide on the setting,” Simon insisted, but she grabbed him by the sleeve of his good arm and led him out of the room.

“What are you doing?” he asked when they were alone in the foyer.

“I think we should forget about the diamond.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You need a wedding ring.”

“We both do. But gold bands will be fine.”

“Why would you settle for a gold band?”

She wasn’t sure. There was something…hollow about choosing a big diamond when there was no meaning behind it. She felt as if they were mocking all the traditional wedding symbols. She could see someone with his wealth buying a stone like that to express his devotion to the love of his life, but she wasn’t the love of his life. So it was just…wrong. Especially when she knew that canceling his next project would cost him a fortune already. “I don’t want to be responsible for such an expensive piece of jewelry,” she said. “What if I lose it?”

“It’ll be insured.”

But a diamond, particularly of this caliber, wasn’t part of her contract price. At least, that wasn’t what she’d meant when she said he’d have to buy the rings. Her conscience would demand she return it when they divorced, so why get attached to it? What was the point? “There’s no need to invite comparisons between me and Bella. Let’s keep it simple, modest, understated.”

“You’re serious.”

“I am. I think we should sell the public on the fact that this marriage is different from the typical Hollywood marriage. That we’re about the things that really matter. No pomp or ceremony. No obvious publicity stunts. No lavish lifestyle. Just the two of us in love, living in a small house in my hometown—until we grow apart and divorce amicably, of course.”

He studied her. “Does this have anything to do with the offer I made you before? Are you afraid you’ll owe me sex in return?”

“No.”

“Then what? You don’t want to have any positive feelings for me?”

“That’s not it, either,” she said, but she couldn’t quite meet his eyes and he jumped to his own conclusion.

“Wow, even my money isn’t good enough,” he said. “Fine. No problem.”

When he headed back without her, she knew she’d offended him. He thought she wouldn’t let him redeem himself even where he could, that she found him unworthy of any approval.

But that wasn’t the problem. She found him appealing whether she approved of him or not.

And she couldn’t see how adding a half-million-dollar diamond ring to his side of the equation would make him any easier to resist.

* * *

It took nearly a week to get ready for the ceremony and still the time seemed to come up fast. They’d given Simon a chance to recover a bit, gotten the marriage license, purchased the wedding bands. Ian had found some guy on the internet who could legally officiate. For an additional fee, he was willing to come to Simon’s house. They’d have a small, private affair with only Josh and Ian as witnesses.

The ceremony would make their marriage legal and binding, and in less than an hour it would all be over.

This wasn’t exactly the type of wedding Gail had dreamed about when she was a little girl, but she’d never imagined that her mother would abandon the family, either. She had to deal with what life handed her, just like everyone else.

She sat in Simon’s bedroom, where she’d been staying most nights for the sake of appearances, and painted her fingernails. She’d just finished one hand when someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“Me. You okay?”

Josh. He’d come to find her. Thank God. Just hearing his voice steadied her nerves. “I’m alive,” she said, and jumped up to let him in.

“Wow, you look beautiful,” he told her as soon as she opened the door.

He seemed honestly impressed. She liked her outfit, too. Yesterday, Simon had sent her to Rodeo Drive with his credit card but, given the recent press, she’d felt too conspicuous among all those exclusive shops. Pulling on a pair of sunglasses for camouflage, she’d driven to the closest mall, where she felt more comfortable and was able to blend in with the crowd. There, she purchased yet another suit to add to her already extensive collection. She knew that probably wouldn’t be a popular decision with Ian or Simon. But this one was teal in color and reminded her of the tailored fashions of the 1940s. She almost felt she should be wearing a fancy hat.

“Really?” She turned in a circle. “This is okay?”

“It’s stunning on you. Simple but classy.”

She released a nervous sigh. Josh was a fashionista if ever there was one. If she didn’t look good he would’ve told her. “You prepared to be a witness?”

He whipped a small camera out of his pocket. “As well as the official photographer.”

She knew he’d also help with the sale of those pictures to  People. They’d agreed on that beforehand. “Great. Is Simon downstairs?”

“Waiting in the library. That’s where they’ve decided to hold the ceremony.”

“What’s he wearing?”

“A suit and, man, does he look delicious—even with his hand all bandaged up.”

“You think he looks delicious in anything.”

“He does.”