THAYER

We enjoyed dinner with a little chat. Kennedy seemed to have an appetite and smiled and laughed at my terrible jokes.

“Can I make a request?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

She raised her hand with my engagement ring. “I think this is too flashy. Do you have a smaller stone than this?”

Instead of getting offended, I laughed. “I’m not a jeweler, darling. But I picked that stone myself. I mean, I requested the carat and the color. So, it’s too special for me, and I would be sad if you take that off.”

She checked it out again. “I’ve never dreamed wearing an engagement like this. Don’t get...