We were in
the back of the limo, one Nikki actually owned, not a rental, surrounded by its
expensive amenities. I sat relaxed but nervous thanks to the shiatsu-style
massagers built into the seat while Nikki finished her phone call about our
reservations. She had made every effort to impress with the restaurant and
getting the art-house movie theater to screen Rush Week Vampires for us afterwards. At some point I expected her
to spring the idea of dancing on me, but hoped she wouldn’t as I had no desire
to go to a ball on Valentine’s.
“So,
Matthew, how much Champagne do I need to ply on you before I can easily seduce
you?”
I chuckled.
“Not much, but the bubbly’s not my kind of drink.”
“Yes, I
know. I also have a delightfully aged scotch, as well.”
“That would
probably do it, but before you go trying to get me liquored up, I wanted to
give you this.”
I steeled
myself as I reached into my suit jacket pocket and pulled out a necklace box.
Nikki took the thin black velvet box from me with a bemused smile, and then
opened it. I didn’t know what quite to expect from her as a reaction. She
didn’t go through any of the usual. No big gasp, no tears of joy, no fluttering
of hands in excitement. Instead, she pulled the pendant out by its chain and
regarded it.
On the end
of the chain dangled a gold colored rose stem, complete with leaves and thorns,
capped by carved petals of white stone.
“It’s just
quartz, nothing too fancy, I’m afraid, but it made me think of you. I made sure
there’s absolutely no silver in it or the chain, just to be sure.” Pure silver
would burn through the skin of a vampire.
“Do I smell
roses?”
“Oh, yeah.
I, uh, picked up some rose extract and put a drop in there, just for, you
know.” I shrugged and passed over a small vial of the extract to her.
“It’s an
exquisite gift, Matthew.”
“Hardly. Not
compared to the stuff I’m sure you usually get.”
“Indeed, I
am not counting the cost, but the thought behind the gift.” She handed the
pendant to me and gathered her hair in her hands.
I reached
around and put the necklace on, only fumbling with the tiny clasp twice.
“You chose
white. I’m sure red dominates the majority of pieces such as this, but you
found white, no matter the provenance of the stone.”
“Well,
yeah. Because of the painting.” I had recovered a few paintings for Nikki, but
of all the ones she owned, the one that stuck most in my mind was one she had
painted of a white rose stained by blood.
“And that
is why I regard the gift so highly. You have been able to peel back layers, yet
remained respectful of boundaries. Honestly, Matthew, I never know what to
expect from you.”
“I’m just a
guy.”
She gave me
a withering, amused look.
I shrugged
as she gave a bemused sigh. She touched the pendant, and I could tell she
wished she could use a mirror, but it wouldn’t give a reflection.
“It looks
good on you. Though I guess your earrings look out of place, now.”
The sapphires
and gold earrings didn’t exactly clash with the pendant, but they didn’t really
complement one another.
“A detail.
Now, the restaurant and one of your gifts awaits.”
“Oh, I got
you something else, too, but it’s for later.”
“I dislike
being left in suspense.”
“Gummi
bears,” I grinned.
“Perfect
for flicking at the theater screen,” she grinned back.