Chapter 15.03

“Yeah, Jenny always sees right through me,” I admitted.

“I know, son,” he smiled. “Good luck. I can’t help you—this is between the two of you.” He laughed.

“You bet on this too?” Amber asked, sounding exasperated.

“She said she’d figure it out,” I muttered, feeling slightly offended. “You don’t think I’m just going to let it go, do you?”

“You’re the boss,” Amber rolled her eyes, while our parents laughed.

“Is it already sized?” I asked as I held the box. I remembered correctly—it was a stunning ring.

“Yes, bro,” Amber smiled. “Dad asked me for one of those bijou rings she wears in photos, so I knew about it—Mom was the only one who didn’t.”

“If everyone’s hungry, I know a great restaurant nearby,” Dr. Cox suggested.

“There’s lunch in the fridge,” I said quickly.

“You can eat it with Brian tomorrow,” the lawyer said, and when he saw my surprised expression, he just patted my shoulder on his way out.

We drove over in two cars to a beautiful restaurant. It was a single-story, modern building with pale green walls and orange furniture. At the entrance, we were immediately greeted, and after confirming Dr. Cox’s reservation, we were led inside.

Large evergreen plants separated the various table sizes, and ours was nestled among the greenery by the window. The waiters wore either orange or green, and the table decorations matched these colors—tastefully arranged.

“Do you take interns?” I asked the lawyer once we were seated. “I want to see details the way my girlfriend does.”

“I don’t think Uncle Steve would be happy if he had to share you with me too—and Janie would notice immediately,” he laughed.

“My son is taking on quite the challenge,” Dad chuckled.

“Let it go, Andrew,” Adam said. “Otherwise, we might end up stuck with the ring.” They all laughed at my predicament.

“Very funny,” I said dryly.

“She loves you deeply, Johnny,” Mrs. Julie said. “When the time comes, don’t think about the bet—think about the two of you. Make it memorable, like the festival. It was different from the usual, but it suited my daughter.” She smiled.

“I think I understand. Thank you,” I said, though I had just mentally scrapped all my previous plans.

“Jenny hasn’t seen it, right?” I asked, glancing at the box.

“No, son,” the lawyer laughed. “But I’m surprised you haven’t either.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because until a few days ago, it was in your room,” Amber laughed. “I moved it to Adam’s before you got back.”

“Pay attention, Messyhair,” Dad laughed, and everyone followed as he explained the story behind my nickname.

“We suspected you had a nickname,” Mrs. Julie said. “She always struggled to pronounce ‘Jay,’ but she never got it wrong.”

“Dr. Cox,” I asked before we left, “just tell me—where should I keep it so she won’t find it?”

“Somewhere close to you, but where Janie would never touch it,” he said with a smile before getting into his sports car.

After lunch, my family dropped me off at home and headed back. I called Brian. The lawyer had been right—he was home, so he came over.

“How did the announcement go?” I asked when he arrived.

“Well, they were really happy, but Mayoko went home because her parents don’t agree on the wedding, and she wants to settle it as soon as possible,” Brian said.

“Do they want a traditional Japanese wedding?” I asked.

“Partly, but they definitely want a huge celebration. We were thinking of a small ceremony with just friends. They’re negotiating now,” he laughed.

“You need to have lunch here tomorrow, or I’ll get caught,” I said, then told him about my day.

“I assume I should hold onto this,” he said, pointing at the box. “Mine was hidden in Frankie’s room for over a year.” He laughed. “Should I keep it from Mayoko too?”

“I’d appreciate it—I have no idea what to do with it yet. If I had hair gel, I could hide it under that,” I sighed, making Brian grin.

“I have some, and Mayoko never touches it.”

We went to the store, bought a dark-colored hair gel and a small hermetically sealed bag. The jewelry box fit perfectly at the bottom, concealed by a layer of gel.

“Just make sure she doesn’t throw it out thinking it’s empty,” I warned Brian.

“She won’t,” he smiled. “I always keep the new gel container among my clothes, so I’ll put this one there too.”