“Do you have any in rose gold? My wife prefers rose gold.”
He frowns. “Hmm. I’ll check. Just a moment, please.”
When he reaches for it, I pull back subtly. “I’d like to try the one-hand clasp, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
I pretend to be enamored with it while Nicolette joins me.
“They’ve got a set of pearl earrings and a matching necklace behind the counter, Henrique. They’re stunning. What have you found?”
I show her. “Let me see it on you.”
I clasp it around her wrist and kiss her cheek. I whisper in her ear, “It’s beautiful on you. You’ll wear this later tonight.”
“Deal.”
She holds out her arm to admire the bracelet’s diamonds, then unclasps it. I make a show of placing it back on the counter while we continue to peruse the displays in the store.
“How about a ring, my love?” I gesture for the woman to bring me a ruby ring.
“Look how gorgeous it is on your finger.”
“It’s a bit big,” she says. “And we don’t have time to size anything….”
“Quite right.” I look around.
Jewel-encrusted, she said. Easy enough.
“You know, it’s unfortunate I’ve been unable to find work, since it would help us relocate to Paris. I never knew how badly I would miss it.” I sigh and look down. “Especially since…” I shake my head and look away. “I’m sorry, my love. We won’t talk about your diagnosis here.”
“Don’t be silly,” she says. “There’s no shame in it, now, is there?” She turns with a small smile to the woman. “I’ve been diagnosed with an incurable illness. My husband spoils me something terrible as a result. What can I do?”
“She deserves it,” I say warmly, as the man comes back with a large box. “So sorry, sir, we no longer carry the rose gold variation, but may I interest you in platinum?”
“I’m afraid not, as my wife doesn’t handle that type of metal well. She has sensitive skin and can only wear certain metals. Could we try on a few varieties to see if she reacts? We will know right away.”
“Well, the store policy is only two pieces out at a time,” the man begins, when the woman interrupts him.
“But for today, we will make an exception.” She reaches over and pats my shoulder. “What else can I get you?”
Within ten minutes, I’ve got them hanging onto my every word as I tell them about my work and how I got started, while I’m trying bracelet after bracelet on Nicolette.
“And what’s that one there?” I ask, pointing to a shelf at the very back of the store.
“The jewelry box?”
“Yes. Do you have anything other than black?”
They both turn, and I casually slip the smallest empty velvet box from the counter into my pocket. The old man at the back of the store turns to us. I wonder if I haven’t given him enough credit.
“Are you being serviced?” he asks.
“Not yet,” Nicolette says under her breath. “But he will be tonight.” To him, she smiles broadly. “We are but they stepped out to help us find a variation. Maybe you can help? I saw this stunning set online… do you have any freshwater pearls?”
She’s still wearing the ring. I take her hand in mine and slowly slip it off her finger into the palm of my hand, then take a second ring in my right hand and place it back on the velvet just as the other two return. At a casual glance, nothing’s out of place. Each velvet cushion holds a ring.
“I just got the most stunning shipment in,” the older man says. “Let me get those for you.”
The ruby ring sits nestled in my pocket. One of the other diamond bracelet’s back on her wrist.
“Look at how brilliant that is,” I say to her. “Have you decided what you’ll wear?”
“Sadly, not this,” she says, lifting her wrist to me. “That is so expensive.”
“You’re worth it, love. And you know how rare diamonds like that are. These are no factory-manufactured diamonds, but naturally mined. Can you confirm that they are conflict-free?” I ask the woman.
The woman smiles at me. “Absolutely, and we have the certification attesting to that. You’re very proficient at this, sir,” she begins.
“Thank you.”
“If only we could relocate,” Nicolette sighs. “You have to understand how much I would love that.”
I strike up a conversation with the woman and the older man comes over. “You’re quite knowledgeable, aren’t you?”
I nod and continue the conversation. “And you’re looking for a job in Paris?”
“I am. My wife’s doctor is nearby. It would enable us to continue in such a way that, even though her condition is incurable, she could still be the epitome of health.” I turn to her. “My love, have you decided to buy?”
She holds up everything. “All of this, please.”
I grin when they ring it up. She’s exactly one euro over budget.