Chapter 2 Jewels, Dinner and Doubt

"Jesus! Tom!" Katy gasped, clutching her chest as her heart raced.

Tom stood there, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Scared you, didn't I?" he teased, his laugh echoing in the quiet street.

Katy frowned, still catching her breath. "Scared me? Scared me? Tom, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of irritation and relief. She shifted her purse to her other hand, still holding her phone tightly.

"I didn't mean to scare you," Tom said with a chuckle, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I was trying to surprise you."

Katy shot him a skeptical look, her lips twitching as she tried to hold back a smile. "You put a distress call through just to jump out and startle me? Really?"

Tom shrugged, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Not just that," he said, his grin widening. "There's more to it. I wanted to take care of something important for the wedding-something I wanted to make special, just for the two of us."

Katy raised an eyebrow, still unconvinced. "What are you up to, Tom?"

Instead of answering, Tom took her hand and gently led her toward the entrance of the Blue Nile, a luxury jewelry store. As they stepped inside, Katy's irritation melted away, replaced by curiosity.

The store sparkled with an array of dazzling jewelry displayed in pristine cases. The sight was almost overwhelming, and Katy's lips parted in wonder.

"Tom..." she started, but he just smiled and squeezed her hand.

A young salesman dressed in a crisp blue shirt and khaki trousers approached them. "Good evening! How may I assist you today?"

"We're here for something very special," Tom said, glancing at Katy with a meaningful look.

The salesman nodded and led them to the section dedicated to women's jewelry. As Katy admired the glittering pieces, her excitement grew. She tried on necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, each one more exquisite than the last.

Finally, they moved to the wedding rings. Tom picked out a stunning piece with intricate detailing, and when Katy slipped it onto her finger, her heart swelled.

"They're perfect," she whispered, her eyes meeting Tom's.

"You're perfect," Tom replied softly, his voice laced with affection.

The two spent the next hour laughing and trying on different combinations, savoring the moment together. By the time they left the store, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a warm, golden glow.

Tom glanced at Katy as they walked back to the car. "Hungry?"

"Starving," Katy admitted with a grin.

"How about Italian?" Tom suggested, his tone playful.

Katy's face lit up. "You know me so well."

They drove to a cozy Italian restaurant in the heart of the city. The evening air was warm, and the soft glow of string lights hanging outside the restaurant gave it a romantic charm.

The porter greeted them warmly and escorted them to a quiet table in the corner. A waiter quickly appeared with menus, bowing slightly as he handed them over. Katy scanned the options, struggling to choose from all the delicious-sounding dishes.

"Everything looks so good," she said, biting her lip.

Tom laughed. "Then we'll just have to come back and try it all."

For starters, Katy chose a fresh garden salad and mac and cheese, while Tom opted for minestrone soup and sparkling wine. As they waited for their food, they began discussing the wedding.

"Katy," Tom said suddenly, reaching across the table to take her hand. His eyes softened as he looked at her.

"Hmm?" she replied, her cheeks warming under his intense gaze.

"Thank you for saying yes. For choosing me. I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else," he said, his voice full of sincerity.

Katy smiled, her heart fluttering. "You don't have to thank me, Tom. I couldn't imagine my life without you."

The waiter returned, carefully placing their orders in front of them. Katy's excitement grew at the sight of the beautifully plated dishes. The waiter poured the sparkling wine into their glasses, then bowed slightly before retreating.

Tom raised his glass. "To us," he said, his voice steady.

"To us," Katy echoed, clinking her glass against his.

"To never being apart," Tom added, his tone serious.

"And to a lifetime of loving only each other," Katy finished, her smile radiant.

~~~

Four days before the wedding, life buzzed with activity. The preparations were in full swing, and everyone seemed to be caught up in the excitement. For Katy, the day started as usual-with a quick stop at her favorite coffee shop for a morning espresso before heading to her skincare boutique.

As she entered her office, a familiar voice called out, "There she is!"

Katy turned to see Julia, her old college friend and now her wedding cake designer. Julia's bright smile was infectious as she opened her arms for a hug.

"Julia! What a surprise!" Katy exclaimed, embracing her.

"How's our bride-to-be doing today?" Julia teased; her British accent as smooth as ever.

Katy laughed. "Surviving! What brings you here so early? Is everything okay?"

Julia grinned, her mischievous side peeking through. "Oh, everything's fine. I'm actually here to pick up some skincare products for my mum. She's been raving about your line and insisted I come by."

Katy raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more. "And?" she prompted.

Julia's grin widened. "And... I thought it was the perfect excuse to talk about your bachelorette party!"

Katy's eyes widened. "Oh my God, Julia! I completely forgot about that! Thank you for reminding me. Let's go to my office and figure it out."

Julia followed Katy, practically bouncing with excitement. Once inside, they sat down to brainstorm ideas for the party. Julia's energy was contagious-her love for planning events was legendary among their college friends.

"I'm thinking something bold," Julia said, her eyes sparkling. "A night you'll never forget!"

They discussed themes, venues, and guest lists until Julia suddenly fell silent, her gaze fixed on Katy.

"What?" Katy asked, her laughter fading.

Julia's expression softened. "Do you love him?"

The question caught Katy off guard. Her smile faltered, and for a moment, she didn't answer.