"So..." Mary sighed, blinking rapidly to disperse lingering tears. "Did you finally get it?" she asked, nodding toward the tiny clasp at the end of the silver chain John still held.
"Yeah," John laughed and leaned forward as Mary did the same, once again sweeping her blonde hair to the side, and smiling at him as he fastened the jewelry around her neck.
The chain draped over either side of her collarbone; the bird pendant lightly resting over her sternum. Beneath, Mary's heart fluttered in her chest – like a bird in a cage – at the feel of John's touch against her skin; his calloused fingers surprisingly gentle.
TBC