Page 25 of Double

She gave me a full, slow once-over with absolutely no shame. Her gaze was so intense that it caused me to blush. She turned back to Double. “Okay, she’s gorgeous. But that other one that I never liked was gorgeous, too.”

“Here you go.” He shook his head.

“This one has a good aura. Lots of yellows, oranges, and whites. It’s nice to meet you,” she said finally, holding out her hand for me to shake.

I shook it. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Surprise covered her face. “An accent. Where you from, baby?”

“Iredia.”

“I vacation there all the time. It’s a beautiful island and a country filled with friendly people and sexy men. How’d you end up in America with my nephew?”

I chuckled. “You’ll have to ask him to tell you that story.”

“I’mma ask his mama. She’s one of my best friends. I know she’ll tell me. Anyway, you called Tinsley your wife. Since she’s not wearing anything on her fingers, I’m gonna presume we need wedding bands. Do we also need an engagement ring?”

He turned to me. “You want an engagement ring?”

I thought about it momentarily. “Can you excuse us for a minute?”

Aunt Summer pulled a face. “Oh, and this one has manners, too. You definitely leveled up, Nephew. I’ll give you two a minute.”

I led him a few feet away. “This marriage is real. I mean, even though it’s not conventional, we are actually married. We were never engaged. Getting an engagement ring feels like a ruse. I’m leaning toward just a wedding band. What do you think?”

“I’m good with whatever makes you most comfortable.”

We walked back over to Aunt Summer. “Everything good?” She wore a smirk.

“We chillin’. Let’s just do wedding bands.”

She nodded. “Okay. Tinsley, I’m gonna take you with me. We’re gonna look at some rings.” She turned to Double. “You’re gonna be with Antonius. He’ll be right out to work with you.”

I followed Aunt Summer to a small table in a corner of the store. We sat down across from one another.

“Talk to me about your jewelry preferences.” Her eyes swept over me as she pulled out her ring sizer and worked to determine my ring size. “I see you’re not wearing any. Does that mean that you aren’t into jewelry?”

“No, I like jewelry. I just . . . haven’t unpacked all of my things from Iredia,” I lied. I wasn’t sure what this Aunt Summer knew or didn’t know. It was clear that she was an “aunt” through friendship and not relation. Mama Passion could tell her what she wanted her to know. I wasn’t telling her anything. “I know the truth about diamonds, so I’m not really a fan.”

She grinned big. “What’s the truth about diamonds? Do tell.”

“They aren’t really rare at all. I know that marketing was used back in the day to make people want them, and that the price skyrocketed due to demand, not to rarity.”

“Okay. I like you already. What’s your gem of choice, mamas?”

I smiled.

“Yes, I’m gonna drop the pretense. You’re a smart girl. I won’t treat you like a dummy. Besides, you’re family. Whatever you walk outta here with is gonna be worth the money. That’s my nephew you’re married to. We may not be blood, but I’ve known his parents for decades. I love his mama like a sister.”

“I’m a September baby, so I could never go wrong with a sapphire.”

“Ooh, now you’re speaking my language. What’s your favorite cut?”

“Which one will give me the most sparkle?”

“Definitely like you better than the heifer he was with before.”

“Would that be Erica?”