My Forever

Standing outside, I looked in both directions of the sidewalk to see if my sister Renee had arrived before I walked inside the store. I had texted her last night to ask if she could meet with me today.

Being here today was important to me, and I wanted to get her advice before making my final decision. So, seeing no signs of her and not wanting to be late for my appointment, I pressed the button on the display attached to the building. The screen illuminated where I saw a uniformed man looking back at me.

"Hello and welcome. How may I assist you?"

"I have an appointment."

"What is your name and appointment ID number?" The door buzzer sounded after giving him the credentials, and I pushed the door open and walked inside.

Once inside, my eyes surveyed the multiple glass casings of jewelry surrounding the perimeter of the retail suite. Each case was spotlighted with lighting that played up the sparkle and bling of each enclosed piece. Walking over to the jewelry cases of interest, I leaned forward and examined each row of the perfectly placed jewelry.

After three years of courtship, who would have thought that I would be here? I thought for sure that I would have been playing the field for many years after graduating from college. But that all changed after I met her…Bianca.

We met at a charity gala for one of my family's many foundations. She came as a guest to my best friend, Chad's fiance, Michelle. From the moment I saw her, I was intrigued to get to know her. Luckily for me, it wouldn't take long for the introduction to happen.

Catching Chad's attention, we reached each other. We clapped hands as our chests bumped together and patted each other on the back before breaking away. Stepping away, I turned and leaned into Michelle's waiting arms. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders as I squeezed my arms around her waist.

As we unfolded from each other, my eyes went to the gaze of the mystery guest standing beside her. Raising my right eyebrow, I sent a questioning look to Michelle and then looked back at her guest.

"Dylan, this is my best friend, Bianca. She's here visiting from Boston. Bianca this is Dylan, Chad's best friend."

"Hello." She confirmed as she held out her hand for a shake with a smile that revealed the deepest right dimple. Wow…dimples are my weakness!

Looking at her hand again, I stepped forward and shook it while cupping my other hand over our joined hands.

"Hello."

"This is a very nice event and so nicely decorated."

"Thanks! This is all my mom." I waved my hand across the room. "This is her type of thing. She loves event planning and design."

"Me too! I would love to talk to her and pick her brain. I really like her style." Her look scanned the room in approval before resting them on our still joined hands. "Do you plan on giving me back my hand to use for the rest of the evening?"

No, I wasn't planning on it, I thought, but it was too soon to tell her that within minutes of our first encounter.

"Of course." Leaning in closer to her, I lowered my voice for only her hearing, "Just as long as you promise to save me a dance."

"I can do that." She answered with a wink. Then, with a smile, I released her hand from my grasp. At that moment, I knew that this would not be the last time we would connect…It was just the beginning.

"Mr. Westlake?" My eyes followed the woman through a glass door walking towards me. She offered her hand to me, and I enveloped it within my own with a smile.

"Hey, Marjorie. Thanks for taking the time to see me on such short notice."

"Of course. It's always a pleasure working with your family."

"Yes, you have been our family jeweler for years. There is no one else that I would commission for this jeweled piece." Giving her hand a light squeeze, I furrowed my eyebrows at her causing her attention to be serious. "Mr. Westlake is my dad. Please call me Dylan." I finished with a smile as I released her hand from my hold.

"Okay…Dylan." She affirmed. "Follow me to the back and let me show you what I have curated based on our conversation."

I was about to let her know I was waiting for someone else until I saw her eyes look beyond me. Following her attention, I see my sister standing at the door.

"Is that Renee?"

Smiling, I nodded my head as she walked towards the door and entered a code. My gaze went back to the jewelry display in the case as the two ladies shrieked salutations and dove into conversation.

"Hey, sis!!" I greeted her as she came walking through the threshold of the doorway. Reaching for each other, we kissed each other on the cheek, followed by a hug.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"It's all good. We were just headed to the back to see the rings." I turned my attention back to Marjorie.

"I still can't believe we're here! You're really doing this!" I grinned to mirror her facial expression.

"Oh, this is very real." I confirmed as I enveloped my arm around her neck, bringing her closer to me. I kissed the top of her head. Looking over at Marjorie, "After you."

We followed her to the back of the studio, to the table in the conference room. Sitting down at the table was a display of rings with rose gold, silver, and gold bands with diamonds in different settings. Even with ten engagement rings, the options were still many. Looking at Renee, she met my look with a smile as she patted my hand.

"I got you." She assured me as she picked up one of the ring options and placed it on her finger, holding her hand out from a distance to look at it.

Exhaling, I swept my hand down my face as I neared my chair closer to the table.

"Let's make a selection." Now the journey begins on the way to an engagement with my future.