"Well, now I know I am not missing out on anything except for you. I want you back. I made a mistake."
"I'm sorry, Laura." I looked at her as she stood there with tears running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, but I can't be what you want me to be. There’s someone else."
"What? What do you mean?" She sniffled, a look of shock and anger on her face.
"Exactly what I said: there is someone else."
"Who?"
"Alexa." I threw my coat over my shoulders and quickly slipped my arms inside.
Laura let out a loud laugh. "Please, Drew, don't be ridiculous. You two cannot possibly have anything in common."
"I've got more in common with her than I ever did with you. I've got to go," I said, looking down at my watch. "I promised her I would be home early." Walking over to the door, the little bell announced my departure as I stepped out into the cold.
I couldn't deny my heart any longer, and now that I had gotten my answers, I knew Laura wasn't a part of it. The kiss we had just shared felt as if I were kissing my sister. It ignited nothing in me, unlike the kisses I had shared with Lexi. She ignited something in me that I didn't even know was there.
I glanced at my watch again; it was almost ten. I stood in the town square looking around. I couldn't go back empty-handed. The first thing my eyes landed on was the local jewelry store. I could see a soft light on in the front window and ran over, placing my hand up to the glass to see if I could see anyone inside. Sure enough, Mr. Richmond, the owner, sat in the chair behind the counter writing in his ledger book.
I banged on the glass, hoping he would look my way. Sure enough, he did, but he waved his hand to signal that he was closed. That didn't stop me. Instead, I continued banging on the glass until he finally got up and came to the front door. He looked around, probably to make sure I was alone and wasn't going to ambush him. Once he was sure, he unlocked the door, opening it only far enough to bark out at me, "Son, we are closed. Need I remind you that it is Christmas."
"I know, sir, but I beg you, please, just hear me out."
Mr. Richmond looked at me as if I had lost my mind. "All right."
"I need a ring."
"Great, good for you," he said, shutting the door, but I put my hand up, stopping him.
"No, sir, you don't understand. I need a ring, an engagement ring, tonight, before she's gone."
He looked at me and rolled his eyes, opening the door a little more to let me in. "You crazy kids, haven't you heard of shopping before Christmas?" he barked, locking the door behind me.
"Sir, please, if you would just show me to the engagement rings."
"They are over there where I was sitting."
I let him go first, walking over to the display cabinet and opening it with a key.
I stood looking over the tray at my options, finally settling on a one-carat heart-shaped diamond with white gold band. I stood waiting while the man began boxing the ring.
"So this girl, she must be pretty special to you if you're out here on Christmas."
"She is very special, and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my ex-fiancée kissing me only a few moments ago."
Mr. Richmond looked at me as if I had lost my mind. "You crazy kids. Next time get your shopping done before Christmas day," he said, handing me the little white felt box that he had tied a red ribbon around. I passed him my credit card and waited while he ran it through his machine.
With the ring in my pocket, I began the walk home quickly, calling ahead to speak with Jim. I had to ask his permission before I got back to the house. I wanted Lexi to be surprised, but I also wanted to do things right. The phone rang twice before I heard Barbara's voice answer.
"Hey, Barbara, it’s Drew. Is Jim there?" I asked, breathing hard into the phone.
"Drew? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just in a rush."
"Certainly. Let me grab him." It was a matter of seconds before I heard Jim come over the phone asking me if I was okay.
"I'm fine. Listen, this is important, and I know it’s going to come out of left field, and I'll explain everything later, but I wanted to ask you for your permission. I want to ask Lexi to marry me."