Maddox's POV

"Man, you realize we have people tailing us right?"

I look into the rear view mirror and sure enough, a white van is following us. Come on! Can't they get a damn life?! I begin swerving in and out of lanes causing the news van to get caught in the middle. Luke chuckles looking back to see them still trying to get around. I quickly make a turn hopefully loosing them for good. I take a few more turns to confirm before making my way to my destination. 

Pulling into the parking lot, Luke turns to me with a quizzical brow. I don't bother explaining aware that the moment I do, Luke will have more than a few words for me. He climbs out behind me as we stroll into the store. Luke quickly coming to my side as begins to figure out what we are doing. He yanks on my shoulder making me huff already regretting bringing him along. 

"Kane, what the hell are we doing here?"

"Don't ask a question you already know the answer to." I step away going to the counter where an older woman is at. She looks up with a gentle smile slowly walking to me. 

"What can I help you with young man?"

Luke is stiff standing beside me with his hands dug into his pockets. My arms go to the base of my neck unlatching the chain pulling it out of my shirt. Luke tilts his head taking a look at it. Zethora's mother's ring coming into view. It is a delicate ring with no large stones. I have a feeling it is the only thing Zethora still has of hers. It has an old style to it, this place would hopefully have a match to it. 

"I am hoping to find a match to this ring. It is very sentimental to my girlfriend." 

"When you say match..." She gives me a knowing look, her eyes sparkling. I chuckle at her. 

"An Engagement ring ma'am." Luke stumbles in the spot making me roll my eyes. She looks to my friend amused before she takes the ring in her hands. Her wrinkled fingers turning the ring as she inspects it closely. Luke leaning close to look at it as well. I smile down at the silver band. So simple and so intricate. One day, I hope to ask her the history behind the ring. 

"It's quite unique and looks like it's been well taken care of." She glances to me before taking the ring and walking away. The moment she is out of view, my shoulder gets slapped... hard.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Luke's whisper shouts still glancing to where the older woman disappeared to. He looks bug eyed and flabbergasted trying to form a sentence. I turn my whole body giving him my full attention. 

"No, I am not." My stern voice making him search my eyes for any doubt. He sighs dropping his head while I continue looking to him. 

DING

I pull out my phone seeing a multimedia message from Macey. Opening up my blood rushes through my veins. 

Fuck my girl is hot. Macey has incredible taste for my sweetheart. That orange making her tan appear darker. I can't help but grin at the photo as my phone dings a few more times. I hold my breath seeing more photos attached. 

It's official, I am buying more Calvin Kleins!

The last photo she is in a black set with a smile on her face. I feel the breath leave my lungs as I attempt to reign in my expanding appendage. Luke tries to reach for my phone but I am quick to lock the screen putting it back in my pocket. My mind still replaying the images I just received and highly considering jumping into my truck to speed to Macey's work. 

The old lady comes back slowly with a second ring in her hand. I attempt to look at it but her slow speed not giving me a good look. Her hand finally comes forward showing the pair of rings. I smile seeing how they look well together. It's not a perfect match but the designs of the band pair well with the ring she chose. I pull them apart taking a closer look to the new ring. The stone not one I am used to seeing. 

"It's a moonstone son... Unique band needs an equally unique ring." 

I couldn't agree more. I nod my head looking to her. Luke reaches forward taking the ring from my fingers. He looks closely before nodding in agreement. He hands it to the old lady who looks to me. 

"It is perfect. Can you wrap it up for me?" 

She nods her head leaning down under the counter. I take Zethora's mother's ring clasping it back on the necklace securely around my neck. Tucking it back in my shirt, Luke looks deep in thought. I turn to the woman handing her my black debit card. She swipes it handing it back to me along with the box holding my future. I tuck it away thanking the woman before strolling out of the boutique. 

We get to the truck and Luke is still not saying anything. Taking the opportunity, I message Zethora before we leave.  I start the truck up and we get back on the road in silence. Reaching for the radio, Luke finally begins to speak. 

"So a woman that you have known for less than a year... You are planning to propose?! And what is this ring hanging from your neck." He begins reaching towards it but I swat his hand away. "Oh and the fact that you just didn't tell me! Hell does anyone know about this?!?"

"I talked to the two people I wanted to about this."

"And who would that be!" His voice raising quickly as he throws his hands in the air. He takes a deep breath exhaling loudly. 

"Arabella... and you." He whips his head around to me letting the information absorb. "You are my best friend Charles. I am fully aware about how you feel in regards to my relationship with Z..." 

"Then why-"

"Because regardless if you think this is too fast or even wrong. You are my best friend and I wanted you to know first." 

He goes silent relaxing into the seat while he rubs the back of his neck. We let the silence envelope us while I drive us back towards town. It took some time for him to gather his thoughts before commenting. 

"I'm sorry Maddox." He takes a second pausing to gauge my reaction. I don't say anything and he continues. "It's just a shock... You've never talked like this about any girl." 

"Serious question Luke... Have you EVER seen me in love with ANYone the way I am with Ze-Z." 

He raises an eyebrow at my stutter but let's it go shaking his head negatively. 

"Well then, Congrats man... And I better be the best man." I chuckle and shove his shoulder as he grins. He points to my pocket requesting the ring. Pulling it out, I hand it to him as he opens it to look closely at it. He snaps the lid shut handing it back to me. "So what about the other ring." 

"It's her mothers.."

Luke makes the 'O' face and looks out the window. 

"She must really trust you to give you that.." I chuckle at the memory of the ring. 

"She gave it to me the day I left her in Texas. Same time I gave her the key to my house." 

"Yeah yeah... Andrews told me she moved in with you. Thanks for telling me man." 

I just shrug. He was still on the fence about her and I wasn't at the time going to give him any reason to talk shit. Not that I would tell him that. Today was the test for him and he passed. He may not agree fully with me but he will still stand by my decision when it comes down to it. 

"So... when you poppin' the question?"

I grin already knowing that answer but not commenting to him. 

"Your not goin to tel lme." 

"Nope." I pop the 'p' turning off the highway. Taking him home, I receive a text from Zethora letting me know she is passing out. I look to the clock noticing it's only around 7. She must have had a tiring day to want to sleep this early. Texting her back, I make quick work to get Luke home before driving back to our house. 

Opening the door to my room, I slowly peak in making sure she is asleep before walking in. She is curled under the sheets with Fox pressed to her side. I go to my closet taking the ring out of my pocket. I put it next to the ring on my neck once more. 

I smile before placing it safely tucked away. Shredding my clothes on the floor, I walk back into the bedroom. Zethora shifts in the bed as I lift the duvet sliding in next to her. Fox moves to the end of the bed while I gather my girl securely in my embrace. Her body coiling to mine seeking my heat. She stops moving once one of her legs is thrown over mine and her arm is wrapped around my bare waist. Her head laying on my beating heart. I lean down kissing the top of her head before closing my eyes allowing the calmness to envelope me.