Chapter One-Hundred and Eighty-Nine
John smiled at the jeweler, pointing to the setting he wanted. "I want that setting. But this diamond." He reached into his hair, pulling the earring from his piercing and placing it on the counter. "I'll pay you an extra five hundred if you can engrave the words my angel inside of the band."
The jeweler looked down his nose at the kid, noticing something familiar about this kid. "You're that singer from that band, aren't you?" He sneered, taking the ring out of the case, and taking the earring from John's hand. "The one who sings that God-awful rock noise."
John smirked, knowing that everyone had a different taste. "Yes, Sir. Johnny Bender at your service." He watched as the man began working on the ring, watching as he fit the diamond into the setting. "And, just for the record, I've been writing those songs since I was ten."
He looked up at John, adjusting his glasses as he studied the kid. "Obviously."
"What kind of music do you like?" He asked, leaning on the counter only to have the man shew him out of the light.
"Jazz." He stated, fixing the gem in place.
John nodded, watching as he began engraving the band. "See, and I like Rock. Everyone has a different taste in music. Trick is to not judge the album by the cover."
"Is that your beast on the cover of your album?" He asked, finishing the ring up and placing it in a box.
"That's Chance. She's my service dog. I just told my goddaughter's folks that they could keep her for a little bit."
"Shouldn't a service dog be with her master at all times? In case of emergencies?"
John smirked, watching as the Jeweler rung up his tab. "It's okay if you say seizures. And she usually is, with me for that reason." He placed the money roll on the counter, taking the ring from him and placing it in his pocket. "By the way, my girlfriend is working over at Contempo Comforts. If a little redhead comes in here, don't tell her I was here. I'm gonna pop the question at my concert next month."
"Congratulations." The jeweler droned, giving John his receipt.
John arranged a bunch of blankets and pillows into a giant nest in the cave, placing some candles around the nest and placing a lighter beside a bottle of non-alcoholic cabernet and two glasses. "Perfect." He smiled, checking his watch. "Shit!" He rushed from the cave, pulling on his helmet as he started his bike and rushed to get the roses he'd bought for Claire before he picked her up from work.
Claire kissed John's lips as she walked out of her work, taking the roses from his hands. "What's the occasion?" She asked, batting her eyelashes as she thought of the surprise she'd planned for him.
He tilted his head, letting her slip her hand into his back pocket. "Does there have to be an occasion for me to get my Sweets flowers?"
She leaned on his shoulder, kissing his neck where he had a fading hickey from where she'd suckled on his skin a few days ago. "No."
He wrapped his hand around her waist kissing her ear. "Come on, I've got something to show you."