It was a big decision, and a big pink diamond, but he consoled himself that if he looked like a fool, at least he’d dared to dream. He’d certainly made the jeweller happy, and the weight of the velvet box in his pocket made his heart rate settle and his vague worry recede a little. He’d stopped drumming his fingers. They would have a long engagement, he decided. There was no need to rush her into a wedding. There were so many things to discuss, people to see – parents, family – and decisions to make. But just knowing he’d found the right symbol of how he felt was enough.

The aircraft bumped through some turbulence and brought him back to the present. He glanced down to where he’d slipped the box into his bag. It was safe, and he resisted the urge to look at it again to confirm the rightness of the design. It was simple. Bold. Beautiful. Like Ava.

And he’d made the right choice with colour. It was the exact shade of the sunrise that had shone on their bed that first morning as he’d watched her wake up, and the colour of her cheeks as she’d met his gaze so bravely that first day. The diamond glowed with a blushing, rosy pink, the colour he wanted to see on her hand and cheeks as he woke with Ava beside him every single morning for the rest of his life.

He had no doubts about that. He’d realised it this morning, when he’d simply nodded his head and bought the ring. Not because she would lust after a big diamond – he’d learned possessions wouldn’t sway Ava – but because the strength of the stone’s pull reminded him of her. Irresistible. One-off. And he was taking a giant leap of faith.

Because he loved her.

Zac felt the ramifications of that statement race along his veins. He’d loved Roslyn, his childhood friend, his society wife, and mourned her loss. He would always hold her memories dear, but this was a different love.

He’d never wanted anyone more than he wanted Ava. Did that make him a bad person? It wasn’t just lust – though bucketloads of that clouded everything. It was the unexpected pleasure in her company, the need to be a better man for her, the desire to make her smile and see her happy. And since she’d been gone, he’d seen that where and how they were together truly wasn’t important. They could figure out the details later.

But so soon? So fast?

Yep.