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“And you.” Trina grinned. “Your dog is adorable.”

“If she’s a problem, I can corral her. She adores Rhett.”

“Seems mutual,” Trina observed, completely enchanted by the burly white dog with tan spots. Her ears were laid back as she leaned into Rhett’s attention. Trina struggled to contain her laughter as Rhett carried on. She’d never seen him quite so silly.

“You two go ahead and plan,” Rhett said from the floor. “Whatever Trina wants is fine with me. I’ll keep Annie busy.”

“Annie is it? She’s such a beauty.”

Ilsa beamed. “Thank you. She’s my partner in everything. She doesn’t come in every day, but she’s been missing Rhett. He was confident you wouldn’t mind.”

Rhett rolled to his feet and stuck his hand in a jar up on a shelf. He pulled out a treat and gave it to Annie. Clearly the two had a system. “Once we decide on rings, I’ll let the two of you hash out the rest of the details. Maybe Annie and I can go for a walk?”

The hope was obvious in his voice and on his face. He looked like a little kid.

“You really should get your own.”

The deep voice right behind her gave Trina a start. She hadn’t realized anyone else had joined them. She caught the concern on Rhett’s face and schooled her own features into something cheerful.

“Hello,” she said.

Rhett popped to his feet. “Trina, this is Max, Ilsa’s husband.” He came to stand beside her, without crowding her personal space.

“Not the same Max who owns the gym you enjoy?” she asked with her best welcoming smile. He stood almost as tall as Rhett, his brown hair brushed back, revealing a dashing gray at the temples. His green eyes were sharp and she could feel him cataloguing every detail.

“The very same,” Max confirmed, extending his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Trina. And congratulations to you both.”

There was a hint of a question in there, but Rhett glossed right over it. “Thanks! We’re super happy.”

“I can see that,” Max said. “Why don’t we take Annie with us,” Max suggested. “Rhett and I can catch up and give you space to debate lilies and roses.”

Ilsa laughed. “That works. Rhett would like to decide on the rings first.”

“Want me to step out?” Max asked Trina.

“Not at all.” She was curious about the velvet boxes lined up on the desk. She had a fondness for jewelry. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’ve pulled all of this together so quickly,” she said, smiling at Rhett. Not only was she impressed, she was genuinely happy with the minor miracles he kept delivering.

“Let’s look over here in the sunlight.” Ilsa carried the boxes over to a round bistro-style table situated in front of a wide window. “Have a seat.”

She swept aside the sheers, letting the bright Florida sunshine pour through the glass. Sitting across from Trina, she opened the boxes one by one.

Trina gasped as the gems inside sparkled and gleamed in the light. “Oh, my,” she breathed, more than a little awestruck. Her hand pressed to her racing heart. More words were impossible as she admired the selection of classic diamond solitaires,two emeralds, a gorgeous ruby, and a round opal nestled in a setting of diamonds.

“So many choices,” she managed after a long moment. How had he pulled this together with zero notice? His connections around town were remarkable.

“If none of these suit you,” Rhett began.

“Oh no!” She bounced a little in her seat. “I already have a favorite.” Smiling at Ilsa she added, “How on earth did you know what to show me?”

“Can I guess which one?” Rhett asked before Ilsa could respond. He was practically humming with all the excited anticipation of a kid at Christmas.

He pressed a little closer, his arm draping loosely around her shoulders. She wasn’t sure how she managed not to stiffen up within his embrace. He was so good about putting her at ease and projecting the happy-couple image they needed people to see.

To her shock, he plucked the opal out of the box, and offered it to her.

Every step they took in this charade felt more and more real. Made her want it to be real.

“It’s this one. Right?”