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And then there was the question of Jake’s dark side, his need to control things in the bedroom. What did that really mean? And was she ready to know the answer? So many questions and no easy answers.

A few minutes later, a flash of color outside the window caught her eye. Her sister was striding down the street toward the bakery. There was no missing Topaz with her bold gold jacket and black pencil skirt and heels that topped her out at over six feet. Her black hair was short and sassy, her expression all business. Her sister drew people’s eyes wherever she went. They also got out of her way.

Sapphire had tucked away her worries and was smiling by the time Topaz entered the bakery and made her way across the room. “Sorry I’m late. I got…detained.” The way she said it left Sapphire no doubt that it was her soon-to-be husband who had detained her. Topaz had a lovely glow to her cheeks that Sapphire didn’t think all came from the crisp morning air.

“No problem. I haven’t been here long.”

Topaz dropped her oversized bag onto an empty chair before taking her seat. She flicked open the button on her jacket to reveal a black camisole trimmed with lace. Her sister always looked so put together.

Sapphire glanced down at her jeans, low-heeled leather boots and the blue cashmere sweater she wore. She was comfortable, but no one would ever accuse her of being a fashion icon. The only area where she was a fashion leader was when it came to accessories. Already this morning, she’d had one woman ask her where she got the hammered silver bracelet that adorned her wrist. She was always happy to direct potential customers to Sisters’ Jewels.

“I got you a coffee and an éclair.”

Topaz raised an eyebrow before picking up the chocolaty treat and taking a bite. “What’s the occasion?” she asked after she enjoyed the first taste.

Sapphire shrugged. “Mostly because I felt like one.”

Topaz frowned and wiped her hands on a paper napkin. “What’s wrong? And don’t say nothing. You’ve been saying that for weeks and I’ve let you. But no more.”

Sapphire shrugged, not quite sure where to begin. Usually she and her sister shared everything, but it wasn’t so easy with Jake and John being brothers. She didn’t want to put Topaz in the middle of her problems with Jake.

Topaz reached out and touched her hand. “Whatever it is, I’m on your side.”

Tears pricked Sapphire’s eyes, but she managed a slight smile. “I know. I’ve just been going through some stuff, but I’m mostly over it now.”

“Does that mean you’re going to dump most of the clothes you’ve bought lately?”

Sapphire sat up straighter and bristled with annoyance. “You don’t like them? I thought you’d like the fact I was taking more interest in clothes.”

“Oh, sweetie, I would if I thought it was making you happy.” Topaz leaned her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “You’ve seemed determined, driven almost, but not happy.”

Sapphire sighed and rubbed her forehead, hoping the coffee and chocolate would help stave off the threatening headache forming behind her eyes. “Yeah, well, it was an experiment, but you’ll be pleased to know I’m done with it.” As soon as she got home, she would be bagging up all her latest purchases and hauling them down to the local consignment store. No more trying to be something she wasn’t.

“I’m glad if you are. But, Sapphire, you haven’t been happy, not in a while now. Emerald called me last night to ask if anything was wrong. You haven’t called her in a week and she hasn’t been able to get hold of you.”

And now she was feeling guilty. Yes, she’d been avoiding both her older sisters, mostly because she didn’t know what to say to them. She didn’t want to talk about Jake with either of them. Her emotions were too volatile.

“I’ve been busy.” Great, now she sounded defensive.

Topaz sipped her coffee, her eyes filled with concern. “Just know I’m here for you whenever you want to talk.”

The knot in her stomach lessened somewhat. “I know. And thanks.” She could always depend on her sisters. “I’m just not ready yet.”

“Fair enough.” Topaz set her cup back on the table. “Now what have you got for me?”

More than ready to drop the subject of her personal life, Sapphire dug into the oversized leather purse she used instead of a briefcase and pulled out a folder. Her personal life might have been in turmoil for the past weeks, but not her professional one. She drew out the sketches she’d been working on and handed them to her sister. They were extremely different for her, the jewelry more industrial, more masculine, instead of her trademark feminine.

“I know we’re doing Emerald’s ‘farmhouse seasons’ line over the next year.” Her sister had designed some beautiful pastoral scenes for their trademark journals, stationery, greeting cards, scarves and accessories. They’d have four lines in the next year, starting with the summer line. Each season would have new pieces. It was an ambitious and exciting undertaking.

It was Sapphire’s job to design and create the jewelry to go with the line. “You’ve already seen the pieces I’ve planned to go with that line.” She’d created floral pins and jeweled bracelets that looked like clusters of wildflowers. Necklaces, anklets, chokers, hair clips and rings as well. It was all very feminine and beautiful.

This new line she’d been playing with was edgier than anything she’d ever done for Sisters’ Jewels. If Topaz didn’t think it was right for the boutique, she might try to shop it around to some other retailers. She’d already done one mass-produced line for a major department store and it had done so well they’d come looking for more designs. She was still considering her options.

Topaz studied each design carefully before shuffling the page to the next one. Sapphire hadn’t felt this nervous about her work in years. It was the one part of her life where she’d always been confident. But this was such a departure for her.

She might kid herself, but she knew Jake was the inspiration for the line. He was so masculine and tough and urban. She’d been drawn to make jewelry pieces that reflected his strength and solidity and that meant industrial, but with a twist. Instead of just using silver as she usually did, she’d used copper and brass and stainless steel as well.

Sapphire reached into her tote and pulled out a sample bracelet. “This is one of the designs. I haven’t had time to try all of them yet.” And she probably should have waited until she’d had a prototype of everything, but she’d been so excited about the new work she’d had to show it to someone.

Topaz set down the designs and took the bracelet. It was made with links of brass, copper and stainless steel, woven together in an intricate design. Topaz slipped on the cuff and studied it.

“Well?” Sapphire couldn’t wait any longer.

“It’s very different for you,” Topaz began.

Sapphire bit her bottom lip and tried not to let her disappointment show. “You don’t like it.”

Topaz shook her head. “No, I don’t.” Sapphire’s stomach plummeted, but her sister wasn’t done yet. “I don’t like it. I love it.”

The corners of Sapphire’s mouth turned upward into a huge grin. “You do?”

“How could I not? It’s incredible.” She gestured to the stack of designs. “They all are.”

Sapphire sat back, picked up her éclair and took a huge bite, savoring the creamy filling and dark, rich chocolate. Then she had a sip of coffee to wash it all down. “I’m so glad you love them.”

“I really do.”

But Sapphire could hear something else in her sister’s voice and some of her jubilation faded. “But?”