I don’t think my body stopped vibrating for a good half an hour. Excitement, and not just for the earrings, ran through me as he got me settled against his side, and I knew he could feel it but didn’t care. I must’ve thanked him a thousand times but didn’t care either that my unsophistication was showing. At least I hadn’t asked him how much the diamonds had cost.

I touched my ears almost as often as I thanked him, and the smile on my face was going to be there for at least a ...