“But I’m not sure it’s right for Sisters’ Jewels. We’ve made our reputation on being feminine and soft and colorful.”
Her excitement came crashing down. “Oh. Well, that’s okay.” And it really was. They’d decided from the beginning what they’d wanted the vision for the boutique to be and they’d kept to it, becoming very successful.
Topaz lifted her arm and let the light catch the gleaming copper. “The way I see it, we have two options. The first one is that you offer these designs to someone else.” She lowered her arm and smiled at Sapphire. “I know your first independent line has sold well enough that they want another one from you.”
“How did you know?” They’d only contacted her a week ago.
Topaz laughed. “I have my sources. In this case it was the accessories buyer who called the store looking for you. She was so excited about the prospect of having you do another line for them, she couldn’t quite rein herself in.”
“What’s the other option?” Sapphire was curious to know what her sister had in mind. She sipped her coffee, which had cooled considerably.
“There’s a stock room we don’t really use much near the back of the store. I’ve been thinking about cleaning it out and knocking down a wall to create more space. Originally, I’d thought about simply expanding our existing stock, but we could use it to try more edgy designs. We could simply remove the door, widen the opening and design it more like the customer is stepping into another space. Above it, we could put a sign that says ‘Sisters’ Jewels Urban’, or something like that. I could talk to Emerald about doing some designs that would match the jewelry. We’re talking a year and a half down the road, maybe two, in order to do the renovations and give you and Emerald time to complete all the designs and have the products ready, but it’s doable.”
Sapphire grabbed her sister’s hand. “I love the idea. Let’s do it.”
“Really, you don’t mind waiting?” Topaz tapped the bracelet with her free hand. “You’d sell a lot of these through a major department store.”
Sapphire laughed. “I’d rather sell a lot of them though Sisters’ Jewels. More profit for us. Isn’t that what you always preach?”
A slow smile crossed Topaz’s face. “That’s what I always preach. I’ll call Emerald tonight and talk to her. As soon as you’ve completed your designs, you can send them to her along with a few pieces so she knows what she’s working with.”
The smile left Topaz’s face and she turned her hand so she was holding Sapphire’s. “Are you sure you can’t tell me what’s wrong?”
Sapphire was caught so off guard, she almost blurted it out. Topaz was sneaky, letting her lower her guard before pouncing. At the last second, she pursed her lips together and shook her head.
“It’s man trouble, though, I can tell. When a woman changes her entire wardrobe and starts dating practically every night of the week, it can only mean one thing—some guy hurt you.” Topaz sighed and sat back. “But I won’t pry. I promised myself I wouldn’t. But I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks. I’m working things out.” At least she hoped she was. Opening herself up to be emotionally crushed again by Jake might not be the smartest thing she’d ever done, but she wasn’t sure she had any other choice.
If she didn’t try, she’d always have regrets. But she would guard her heart a lot more closely this time. After what had happened between them, she was more hesitant to open herself up emotionally.
“Good enough. Now, do you have time to run down to the boutique with me before you head back to your studio? The stock for the summer line just arrived and I want you to see the new in-store displays before we open. Plus, I wanted to know if you had any ideas about the window arrangement. Your new jewelry looks magnificent on display.”
“Sure. I’d love to.”
Her mind on work, Sapphire gathered up her belongings and headed out with Topaz. But Jake was never too far away from her thoughts.
As they walked down the sidewalk, Sapphire realized just how much she’d distanced herself from her sister these past weeks. That had to change. Her sister was engaged, was getting married and this was a happy time in all their lives.
It was time for her to stop being so self-involved and selfish. She might have had her heart broken by Jake, but his brother was making Topaz very happy and that was all that mattered.
“So tell me about the wedding plans. Have you talked John into wearing a tuxedo yet?”
Topaz laughed, not noticing how several men turned their heads to watch her as she walked by. But Sapphire noticed and grinned. “And what about your dress? Any possibilities?”
Topaz hooked their arms together and lowered her head in a conspiratorial manner. “Well, there was one I saw in a window of that bridal boutique just a block from the store…”
Jake sipped coffee and watched his brother. John looked relaxed and happy, something Jake was very glad to see even if he was slightly envious. “So how are the wedding plans going?”
John grinned. “I just nod and agree a lot.” He leaned back in the booth and raised his mug in salute. “Honestly though, Topaz has it all under control. All I have to do is rent the tux and show up where she tells me.”
“No second thoughts?” His brother seemed so sure their relationship would work. Jake wished he was half as confident as John.
John sat forward and set his mug down on the chipped tabletop. “What do you mean?”
Jake dragged a hand through his hair. “Well, fuck. We don’t exactly have a sparkling bright past.” Both of them had joined the army straight out of high school, going on to become Army Rangers. They’d both spent years overseas fighting.
John shrugged. “The past is the past. It’s what I’m building now that matters.”
He wished he could be so blasé about things as John, but there was a darkness inside him that some days threatened to swallow him whole. He had to learn to control it if he was going to have any kind of relationship with Sapphire.
“What’s wrong?”
Jake looked over the table at an almost mirror image of himself. He’d grown his hair out while John still kept his military short, but they both shared the same height and build, the same blue eyes, high forehead and lips. His twin was his best friend, had been to hell and back with him, but this wasn’t something he could share. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit.” He also couldn’t hide anything from his brother who knew his moods all too well.
Jake turned the mug in his hands and stared down at the dark coffee, wishing there was an easy explanation or answer to his problem.
“It’s Sapphire, isn’t it?”
Jake’s head snapped up and he frowned. “What are you talking about?” Had he been that obvious? Had Topaz said anything to his brother?
“Man, you’re talking to me, the guy who was gone over Topaz. I recognize the symptoms of a man stuck on one of the Jewel sisters. I saw the way you looked at her when she wasn’t looking.” John leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “What’s wrong? Did she turn you down?”
Jake closed his eyes as erotic memories assailed him. Maybe it would be easier for him if she had turned him down. Maybe he would have had the strength to walk away and never go back. Yes, he’d said goodbye, but he’d never really left her. She’d haunted his every waking and sleeping hour until he’d thought he’d go mad with wanting her.
“Is it because of who her parents are?” John asked.
Funny how he’d never even considered the fact that her parents were famous singers from the seventies. Sapphire had always simply been the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life, and the most gentle and kind soul he’d ever known. “No, I don’t give a shit who her parents are.”