CHAPTER NINE
The most exclusive jeweler in Beverly Hills lived up to its reputation. The private room in the back Billie and Tyler were ushered into was opulent but understated. Tyler made a mental note to thank his friend Sam Collins who had recommended the establishment. He’d called ahead and they’d been able to accommodate his request quickly. In an effort not to discuss prices in front of Billie he’d given the discreet manager his price range ahead of time. Nothing would be brought out for her to see that was over his outrageously huge budget. Nothing under it, either. If he knew Billie, and he did, she’d try and get out the door with the smallest, cheapest engagement ring this joint sold.
He was not going to allow that to happen. This ring was going to be photographed by dozens, if not hundreds of paps, and seen in magazines all over the world. He wasn’t being immodest when he said that the wedding of Tyler Gaylord was big news. No one – himself included – had ever thought it would happen. But here he was acting the role of besotted groom-to-be.
The manager, Harmon, who appeared to be helping them personally, offered up wine but Billie demurred. She didn’t make a big deal about not drinking alcohol but he’d never seen her do it. There was a story there he was sure but he hadn’t pressed her for it. He’d always assumed she had one or more parents who drank to excess. Not that he would know that, either. She was decidedly closed-mouthed about her childhood. That had been fine when they were best friends hanging out at Laker games but she was going to be his wife and he ought to know more about her.
Harmon, a slight man in an expensive suit, sat across from them, a big smile on his face. When Tyler and Billie left here, the man would have bragging rights that he’d outfitted the Hollywood golden couple of the year with their wedding rings.
“So did you have anything in mind?”
The question was directed at Billie but when she didn’t answer immediately Harmon turned to Tyler, which wasn’t much better. Tyler hadn’t given it any thought other than he wanted her ring to make a statement.
“We want an engagement ring for Billie and wedding bands for the two of us.”
Harmon nodded as if that cleared everything up. Maybe everyone came in here as clueless as he was. “Matching bands? Yellow gold? Platinum? White gold?”
Tyler didn’t know shit about jewelry but he’d heard enough from his actor friends Max and Nate who were both married to know the basics. Platinum was the most expensive.
“Platinum.”
Harmon’s eyes lit up. “Ah, platinum. Excellent taste. Were you thinking platinum for the groom’s band as well?”
Billie shook her head, finally joining the conversation. “Whatever he wants is fine.”
They were back to him again. “I’m open to be persuaded.”
That seemed to make Harmon happy so he pulled out a black velvet tray of sparkling diamond rings, each one more ostentatious than the last. “We have an excellent selection of platinum wedding sets but if you don’t see anything you like today we can always design something for you and have it made. I can also assure you that these stones were ethically sourced. Did you have a particular cut in mind?”
Of course Billie didn’t, so they spent what felt like the next ten hours looking at rings, although it was probably less than forty-five minutes. In the end, she had narrowed the selection down to two rings. One was a simple eight carat princess cut stone and the other was a smaller six carat emerald cut with small diamonds on the band. She kept going back to the smaller diamond but for some reason she wasn’t ready to say it was the one.
“Do you like it, babe? Try it on again,” he urged.
Nodding, she slid it on her finger and held it up for his inspection. He hadn’t ever noticed her hands until now but they were small and dainty, with manicured nails polished in a light lilac shade. Yet he knew from personal experience that those same hands were strong and capable. He’d seen her take down a man in self-defense class and also helped him prepare an elaborate meal for their friends. It was that contradiction that fascinated him. One minute she was a young actress that needed his protection, the next she was a warrior who didn’t need anybody.
“It’s like it was made just for you,” Harmon gushed. “There’s a matching band for that.”
The manager dug into a cabinet and pulled out another tray of rings. It only took a moment for him to locate what he was looking for and he slid it onto her finger before handing Tyler a larger, much heavier platinum band.
“I think this will fit you, Mr. Gaylord. Why don’t you try it on?”
For a moment Tyler hesitated but then plucked it from Harmon’s grasp and slid it on his own ring finger. The weight of the metal was more than he’d imagined and for a split second the fit was far too tight, almost cutting off his circulation before relaxing and allowing the blood to flow again. Except that rings didn’t shrink and grow at will and this one hadn’t budged on his finger. It had been all in his mind.
The fingertips of his other hand passed over the cool metal and he couldn’t seem to drag his gaze away from the ring. There it was. Real and solid. He was really going to get married and he was going to do it with Billie. They would say vows and wear rings. They would belong to each other because of their promises and a piece of paper.
Maybe he should take this marriage stuff a little more seriously than he’d originally thought. She was right that it wasn’t something you play with. It should mean forever ideally, although for him the thought was ludicrous. He could give her honesty, fun, happiness, material wealth, and fame. Wasn’t that enough? In return, all he needed was her loyalty.
“Are you okay?” Billie’s sharp tone broke through his daydreaming and he jerked his head up to gaze into her concerned eyes. “We don’t have to do this today, you know.”
Had she recognized his momentary panic? The heavy mantle of responsibility he would wear as her husband? She’d talked him out of getting a cat a few years ago because she hadn’t been sure he could keep it alive. Now he was going to have a wife.
“It’s fine. I was just thinking about how these would photograph. Is that the ring you want?”
Her fingers curled over the ring, covering it from his sight. “I know you probably want me to have the other one. It’s bigger and will show up in pictures better.”
It would but it was more important that she have what made her happy.
“So? Is that the one you want?” he repeated, a smile tugging at his lips. “If the paps can’t see that ring I’ll buy you a big necklace and earrings to go with it.”
Harmon almost swooned but Billie just scowled, of course. “You’ll do no such thing, and yes, this is the one I want.” She pointed to the band on his own finger. “Is that what you want?”
Was it? Never in his life had he thought he’d be picking out a wedding band.
“It’s okay but I’d like you to pick out my ring. Whatever you like.”
It was a cop out but Billie did have great taste. She’d chosen the prettiest wedding set they’d been shown today.
Reaching down, she tugged off his ring and handed it back to Harmon. “I think Tyler needs something far more traditional. I think he needs a gold wedding band. Plain and old fashioned.”
In a flash a yellow gold band, heavier than the last, was slid on Tyler’s finger. Jesus, he’d feel good and married with this one. There’s be no forgetting he was committed.
That’s a good thing.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and for a second he thought to ignore it but then decided he needed the distraction. It was a text from his publicist Garrett and Tyler began to smile. A wedding ring wasn’t so bad after all. He and Billie had been spotted on the sidewalk coming into the jewelry store and it was all over social media.
The campaign had begun. Bring on the rings and the preacher.
* * *
They ended up at a furniture store after ring shopping. Billie’s finger was currently bare as her set had to be sized and it would take a few days, but already news of Tyler Gaylord’s visit to a jeweler had spread through social media like wildfire. There were paparazzi waiting for them when they exited the shop and Harmon had been beside himself with happiness. It meant a bunch of free publicity for his store.
As usual, Tyler completely ignored the press following them and focused all of his attention on her. When he wasn’t checking his phone, that is. He was in an especially festive mood today since his plan seemed to be working. Everyone wanted to know if the unashamed playboy was finally settling down.
“What are we doing here again?” Billie asked, keeping her head down as the sound of cameras clicking filled her ears. Once the doors closed behind them it was much quieter but she still had a feeling of unease like she was waiting for a shoe to drop. An expensive Manolo Blahnik or maybe a Louboutin.
“Married people get new furniture,” Tyler said as if explaining himself to a child. “We’re getting married so here we are.”
That was all well and good but Tyler’s home was completely decorated by a famous designer that had supposedly worked for royalty in London. What was Billie going to pick out? A new spice rack?
“Do you need new furniture?” she asked, trailing after him as he strode confidently through the store. “Are we looking for something in particular?”
Tyler stopped so abruptly she almost ran into the back of him. They were now in the bedroom furniture section. Oh shit. This was the part of the deal she’d been trying not to think about.
They were going to be married.
Maybe for two or more years.
Tyler wasn’t going to go that long without sex.
Which was why she’d asked him not to humiliate her in the press but in the back of her mind she’d known this was looming. It would be easier if they simply slept with each other than with other people. She could already hear Tyler’s voice in her ear saying that very statement.
“Pick something out.” Tyler pointed to an old-fashioned four-poster bed in a dark oak. “How about this one?”
She needed to get out of here. Immediately, if not sooner. She simply wasn’t ready to deal with this.
“Fine. Let’s get that one.”
Anything as long as they could leave.
Frowning, Tyler shook his head, urging her closer to the bed which suddenly took on so many other meanings besides getting a good night’s sleep. “You didn’t even look at it.”
No, she hadn’t and yet she was being plagued by thoughts of the two of them on that bed. Thoughts she shouldn’t be having. This was Tyler. Her buddy and pal. Her crush was over long ago and now she made fun of his carnal pursuits. It threw her entire world into flux to think she might be one of them in the not too distant future.
Shrugging, she studiously kept her gaze on a cherry-colored dresser. “Sure, I did. It’s fine. Whatever. Just a bed.”
Tyler was scowling at her and then his forehead smoothed and a gentle smile took its place.
“It’s just a bed, babe. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Then it doesn’t matter which one we choose.”
Leaning down, his lips came so close to her ear she could feel his warm breath on her skin.
“Nothing, and I mean nothing will ever happen in that bed or in our house, or anywhere else for that matter, that you don’t specifically want. This is all on your timetable, Billie. You’re in charge whether it’s two days, two weeks, or two years. So please pick something out that you like and feel comfortable with. I want you to be happy when you move in. I want you to think of it as your home.”
As comforting as those words were – and they were – it was all a little too much. First the rings, then Twitter, and now a bed. It was far too intimate and she couldn’t deal with any more.
Which is why she thought up an excuse that he might actually believe.
“I can’t possibly make any more purchase decisions on an empty stomach. I’m starving here.”
Smiling that smile that had graced millions of magazine covers, he placed his arm around her shoulders and led her back the way they’d come.
“Then I guess I better get you fed then. Burgers or pizza?”
After the morning she’d had? Both. With extra everything. She deserved it.