"Flynn! This looks like a really expensive jewelry store!" Provenza exclaimed as they walked up to the place. They had arrived at the upscale, outdoor shopping area after Andy vetoed Provenza's pick due to it being in the vicinity of two former crime scenes and in a questionable area.
"Well, it's better than that place you found! That place looked like a step up from a pawn shop! Seriously, Provenza, how did you plan to find a ring there?" Andy complained.
"Hey, I did a search online, and it came up for good deals on rings," Provenza explained.
"We have had too many ring issues at pawn shops don't you think?" Andy grumbled.
"That was a long time ago, and we weren't buying a ring! We were getting Liz's ring back from that place she sent it, so this is different," Provenza stated.
Andy gave him a scowl, "You should be embarrassed to call yourself a detective, you know? As good as you are at solving murders, you have no sense about places that might be trying to rip you off."
"I think I found a place that is going to rip me off-this place!" Provenza gestures to the jewelry store in which they were now standing in front of, ready to enter.
"No, this place will cost you, yes, but it will not rip you off. You will get a great ring at a FAIR price. Stop trying to get some amazing deal. What's the saying-? 'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is'-isn't that it?" Andy asked.
Provenza scoreless, "Fine, let's check it out. I swear, Flynn, if I end up having to work another year to pay for this ring, I'll-"
"What?" Andy asked. "You have no way to finish that sentence because you and I both know you have no intention of ever leaving your job. Don't worry-I'll bury your favorite stapler with you, but don't try to tell me that you were ever thinking of retiring."
Provenza waved him off, "No, but I can't stand the idea of spending my money."
Andy shrugged, "Then don't. Don't get Patrice a ring; don't marry her. All I can tell you is this is the place to get it. I've bought Sharon a few things in here over the years, and this is the best jewelry store."
Provenza's eyes grew wide, "You've bought the captain jewelry?"
Andy drew back surprised, "Yeah," he shrugged, "of course. Haven't you bought Patrice anything?"
"Besides dinner and flowers a couple times? No! I told you-if she loves me, she loves me. I'm not buying her love with things," Provenza stated.
Andy rolled his eyes, "It's not about buying love, good grief! It's about doing something nice, something thoughtful for people you care about. I care about Sharon and want to do nice things for her, get her nice things."
"What have you bought her?" Provenza inquired.
Andy shrugged, "Several things. Let's see-a few pairs of earrings, her watch-"
"The watch she wears? You bought that?" Provenza said, wide eyed.
"What's the big deal?" Andy asked. "Yeah, and she wears the earrings I bought her all the time too," he shrugged.
"You have officially been together less time than I have with Patrice. Officially. So, when did you get her all this stuff?" Provenza asked.
"Over the last couple years for her birthday and Christmas. Oh, and I got her one set of earrings before we had to go to some museum gala thing awhile back. If she wore more jewelry, I'd buy her even more. Why?" Andy asked, confused.
Provenza scowled at him, "You are in so deep with her, you can't see straight," he shook his head.
"Can we stop talking in circles and go inside?" Andy pleaded. "I'd like to get back home sometime tonight!"
"Exactly," Provenza shook his head, nodding, as Andy tried to figure out Provenza's current issue, "You want to get back home-you called the condo home," he rolled his eyes.
"Just get inside!" Andy said, irritated, as he opened the door and ushered Provenza inside.
"Ahh, Lieutenant!" Sarah, the salesclerk smiled to Andy as they walked in, "It's good to see you."
Provenza looked to Andy with a look of shock. The salesclerk knew him.
"Hi, Sarah. The bracelet you recommended for my daughter was perfect for her birthday," Andy smiled brightly as he glanced to Provenza.
Provenza nodded, as he started to look around, while Sarah continued her conversation with Andy, "Oh, that's great to hear. Are you here for something else for your girlfriend?"
"No," he shook his head, "not today. I brought my best friend here because he would like to buy an engagement ring."
Oh, how lovely!" she exclaimed and turned to Provenza, "Do you know what you would like?"
Andy cut in, "He'd like something cheap, but he finally has found a lovely woman, so could you show him something in a cop's budget?"
"Of course, this way," she gestured, and Provenza and Andy followed her. Andy's phone rang, and he looked to Provenza.
"It's Sharon," he nodded to Provenza, "I will be a minute."
"Don't tell her anything, Flynn!" Provenza complained.
"Relax!" Andy exclaimed as he answered, "Hi Sweetheart," he smiled, turning away. Provenza turned back to Sarah.
"Do you have something that I can afford? Unlike my idiot friend, I'm not one for spending a lot in jewelry," he rolled his eyes.
"We can find something, but you should trust the lieutenant's help," she smiled. "He has great taste. I've never met his girlfriend, but she must be a classy lady with what he has picked out for her over the years, lucky lady."
"You don't know the half of it," he grumbled, "She's our boss, and if we could please not talk about them, I would appreciate it. I have to see it every day."
"Sure," she nodded, "let's take a look at these," she pulled out a tray of rings, and the two talked for a few minutes while Andy was on the phone.
Andy returned, and Provenza was irritated, "Flynn," he said in an exaggerated whisper, "these are the cheapest rings and are all too expensive! I brought cash, and it won't cover it!"
"You brought cash? Just use your credit card," Andy suggested.
"No! I'm not using that. It's just an irritant to use a credit card. Then, I have to waste my time writing a check when the bill comes, wasting more time! Why do all that when I can pay with cash today?" Provenza complained.
"You know you can pay your bill online," Andy offered.
"I hate all things computer! You know that. No, I'm using cash," Provenza shook his head.
"Show me what you found, what you like," Andy offered. "Sharon is finishing at work, and then she's picking up dinner on her way home. I'd like to be done with you, so I can enjoy my evening with her, so can you hurry up?"
"Give me a minute," Provenza waved him off. "You like this place; look around a minute," Provenza told him. "I'm still deciding."
Provenza went back to speak to Sarah, while Andy looked around. He quickly found something he liked, noting Provenza was still talking to Sarah. Andy looked at the case, smiled, and went to check on Provenza's progress.
"What do you think of this one?" Provenza asked, holding up the ring.
Andy picked it up and inspected it, "She will like it. Is this the ring?"
Provenza nodded, "I think so."
"Good. I found something too," he grinned.