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He guides us over to a plush seating area and begins setting out the displays. “Were you looking at diamonds or a different stone?”

I look over at my husband, who simply smiles at me and quirks a brow. “I’d say diamonds.”

He’s not wrong.

“Okay, well, that narrows it down considerably.” The jeweler looks to me. “Is there something on this display that catches your eye? If you have anything in mind but don’t see what you’re looking for here, we do have a bespoke service where we can have anything made to your style, preference, size, and general requirements.”

“Thanks, but I don’t think we’ll need that. Will we, Princess?”

Even though I just stepped out of the frigid air and into a warm store, I feel my cheeks flush further.

He knows the necklace I’ve been eyeing since the moment I stepped in here. The same necklace I’ve stopped to look at a few times. But I’ve only ever glanced at it when we’ve walked past this store together. I’ve never pointed it out, never stopped when he’s been with me.

Looking back at the double-strand knot necklace, it sits alongside two others.

Leaning over, Jensen points to the exact one. “This one.”

All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh.

“Excellent choice. This is a white diamond gemstone set in white gold. Approximately eight carats in weight and a timeless piece.”

“So beautiful,” I swear I have heart eyes as he removes it from the display and sets it on the large red velvet cushion.

“It truly is. Would you like to know the price?”

Jensen shakes his head. “Nah. The price is irrelevant.”

I want to protest that he’s about to buy me something I know will cost in excess of a hundred thousand dollars. But like everything with this man, he knows what he wants and won’t stop until he makes sure I get everything he has to offer.

Reaching out, I run a delicate finger over it. “Can we have a moment?” I look to the owner.

He nods and takes himself across the other side of the store, giving us privacy.

“What’s this for? It can’t be for my birthday or Christmas.” I look at my husband.

He takes my hand in his. His palms are warm and slightly calloused. “Some people call it a ‘push present,’ is it? I guess this is, too, but it’s also so much more than that. This is the necklace you’ve always wanted but never bought, just like you’ve denied yourself what you’ve truly wanted for most of your life. The family you’ve been desperate to have.” He smirks, pointsto himself and lowers his voice. “The man you’ve been dying to fuck.”

I swat at his arm and laugh. “Shhh.”

“Think of this as a symbol of a new chapter in your life—one where you stop denying everything you are, everything you want, and everything you deserve. Let me buy this for you.”

“How did you know about this?”

“Are you seriously going to ask me how I know something about you? Each time we’ve walked past this place, your eyes have been drawn to it.”

I shake my head. “We never stopped, though.”

Jensen indicates to the owner that we’re ready and then looks back at me. “That’s the thing, Princess. I don’t need you to spell it out for me to know what you want and what makes you happy.”

The jeweler returns to sit in front of us. “Alright, let’s talk about sizing and collection of the piece once it’s ready.”

JENSEN

She’s quiet the entire ride home.

Not because she’s upset I just dropped a hundred grand on a necklace, but more because of the meaning behind it.

And I’m stoked she’s taking my words in, today is the start of Kate Jones putting herself first and ahead of everyone else’s expectations.