"I also have the ring with a small stone", says the man across from me and brings me back from my memories. I blink and try to process what just happened here. He smiles kindly and points to something in my hand. "Oh", I say surprised. The ring with the fine golden lines adorns the ring finger of my right hand and, embarrassed, I quickly slide it off my finger. I tried it on unconsciously. The depth of my train of thought surprises me again and again. It's never been this bad. That I put on a wedding ring automatically and don't panic about it.

"It suits you. And I have the same for your girlfriend. Only with a stone", he repeats and I hesitate at the words he has added. My girlfriend? I quickly shake my head and put the ring in the space provided for it right next to its counterpart.

"The ring is very beautiful. But my husband doesn't wear jewelry", I answer lost in thought.

"You're already wearing a wedding ring", replies the friendly gentleman with a smile.

"No. That is not the reason. Alec is a carpenter. His hands are his capital. If he wears jewelry at work and is injured as a result, the insurance does not pay any money. And his hands could be so damaged that he could have a finger loses or even the whole hand. Then he would not be able to continue his dream job and that would be terrible. He has an incredible talent and loves his job. Even more than me." I just chatter on it and swallow dryly when the last sentence comes over my lips. I've suspected it for a long time. But don't dare say it. Even now the words don't really want to leave my mouth.

"What do you think of here?", he asks me and points to a trailer. I take a deep breath and keep dragging my teeth over the flesh of my lower lip. The frosty cold of the sea air is already painful on my cheeks and the torture of my teeth triggers a pleasant tingling sensation on my lips. I take the trailer and gently stroke the rough, dark wood. It is a piece from the sea, connected with a thick cord on a handmade silver key ring and a lasered engraving. 'HOME' is emblazoned in black letters on the wood about which Alec certainly has a lot to tell. I like it very much and at the thought that Alec carries the keys for my house permanently on this pendant, a huge wave of satisfaction and happiness is released. It wobbles happily through my body and I smile to myself. Yes that would be nice.

"Ring or Pendant?" I hear a familiar voice next to me. As I turn in that direction, I see Ragnor standing next to me, laden with a pack of roasted almonds and several bags, wiggling his eyebrows in amusement.

"The choice is yours. Make up your mind", he says. "I've heard that before today", I answer softly and Ragnor looks at me skeptically, his brow furrowed. "Do we need vodka?", he asks and I nod.

"Lots of vodka." Now it's Ragnor who nods and turns around without comment and disappears in the direction from which I know the liquor store is located there.

I pay for the pendant and let my gaze wander over the two rings over and over again. They are really beautiful.

"Can I wrap the trailer as a gift?", the man asks and I just nod as my thoughts get stuck with Alec and the ring with the gold line on his finger. It would suit him so well.

"Your friend is right. The choice is yours. Sometimes it is difficult to do the right thing", he says while the slender, multi-ringed fingers artfully wrap the dark blue paper around the box. For the first time that evening I look at the man in front of me and even though I have known him for several years, I have never noticed certain things. It's about my size and my age. His masculine angular face is framed by full dark brown hair. In the darkness of Christmas Eve it could also be black. But due to the soft light of the lighting that illuminates its stand, it is more brown than black. Nothing compared to Alec's black hair, as dark as the darkest night. He has hazel eyes, a straight, narrow nose and full lips that adorn a lovely smile. He's a really handsome man.

"You come here every year and buy a piece of jewelry or two. I've always wondered who the lucky one is. However, you always bought jewelry for a man. But you don't wear one themselves. Today my assumption was confirmed. And I am sorry just not to have made my choice", he says and can't get rid of the feeling that he wants to tell me something.

"Raphael and Andrew", I say.

"They are my best friends and I bought the jewelry for them. Every year they get a book specially selected by me. Raphael a special ring or cufflinks. Andrew Tunnel or a bracelet. Personally, I don't wear jewelry. But my two friends can are happy about it like little children. And that in turn pleases me", I answer his question and reach for the wrapped box.

"Merry Christmas. I hope the present will please its new owner. Your husband is really lucky", he says and I hardly manage to say goodbye appropriately. His fingers brush the back of my hand and an electric shock jerks through my body. With an intensity so strong that it almost takes my breath away. I swallow dry and close my eyes for a moment. Images of Alec flicker and I draw in my breath audibly.

These pictures are a mirror of my feelings. Alec laughing, his head bowed slightly backwards. Alec dancing, graceful movements and so radiantly beautiful. Alec discussing, gesturing wildly with his hands and enthusiastically. Alec while cooking, highly concentrated and focused. Alec in ecstasy, so beautiful with forked lips and sweaty skin soaked in sex, the aroma of our love.

"What's your name?", I ask straightforwardly.

"Marcus", he replies and lets his hand slip out of mine. "I'm Magnus. Your jewelry is great. Really magical. I really hope my husband is happy about it. We've been married six months and we haven't had a good start to our marriage. And you're right. I have a choice. And I am currently deciding to take a dip in the deep end", I say and again my gaze wanders to the two rings and my thoughts to Alec.