I resolutely shift my focus back to the jewelry. The diamonds are pretty, too. So are the pearls—flawless, lustrous and large. Both are safer options, classic, and would go well with anything. But somehow my eyes return to the emeralds. Since Huxley wants me to buy a new dress for the auction, I want to get it in purple, since I already have two black dresses. But will green stones work with a purple dress? I narrow my eyes, trying to picture the combination in my head.
Go for the safe option. Diamonds and pearls are the easiest to mix and match.
But I don’t want to be safe. I want to be adventurous for once, and not worry about repurposing what I have for later. Hmmm.Dilemmas, dilemmas… I can’t believe I’m mentally stuck when Huxley already has his black card back out of his wallet. Mustbe years of living on the edge. I swallow the last bite of the sandwich, wondering which—
“My wife would like the emeralds,” Huxley says to Jared.
I start and turn to him. “How…?”
“Easy. You looked at them twice, the second time for a very long time. You pursed your lips and got that faraway look in your eyes. Then you looked at the diamonds and the pearls, but couldn’t quit staring at the emeralds, so why not get them?”
I flush, pleased and shy that he was watching so closely and understands me so well. “I was just thinking about matching them with whatever dress I might buy.”
“Go for it. Emeralds are surprisingly versatile, at least when the stones are that saturated.”
“He’s right, Mrs. Lasker. These will go well with whatever ensemble you select for a special occasion.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
The man leaves with the black AmEx, and Huxley says, “Told you,” with a warm smile.
“You sure did.” I give him a quick kiss. “Thank you.” Then I stand up. “Now that that’s done, I have to use the ladies’ room. Excuse me.” A slim woman comes forward and takes me to a beautifully appointed bathroom with a stack of fluffy cotton towels and toilets that look like the one Huxley has from Japan. But not exactly the same—the ones here don’t talk.
I read that as the baby grows in your womb, your bladder can’t expand much and you have to hit the bathroom more often. But why am I experiencing that when the baby is still so tiny? I wash my hands and reapply my lipstick. In the mirror is a flushed woman whose eyes are shining with something too intense to be called mere affection. My belly flutters, like right before a rollercoaster is about to drop. Excitement and trepidation entwine around my heart. Somehow, despite ourinitial friction, I’m much more into Huxley than I ever imagined possible.
I finish up in the bathroom and head out to join my husband. Familiar voices come from the private room, and I shift so I can listen without people inside seeing me.
“Huxley, thank God I caught you,” Madison says, breathing hard. “James is here, demanding to see you.”
“For what? He isn’t supposed to be in town until next week.”
“I don’t know. He’s hysterical.”
“Is he ever not?” Huxley mutters in disgust. “Is Miguel in to show him the files?”
“Miguel says he can’t pull anything from the cloud, and he’s apparently lost all his files…?” Madison makes a small, helpless noise in her throat. “IT is on it, but James says he has to talk to you or else.”
“Let me wait for my wife first.”
“He doesn’t seem to have much patience,” Madison adds.
“It’s his fault for showing up without making an appointment.” Huxley’s words couldn’t be more terse.
Guess Madison wasn’t entirely lying when she said nobody sees Huxley without an appointment. But she didn’t chase after him to let him know of my visit, either, unlike with this James fellow.
Pasting on an innocent smile, I step into the room, take my place next to Huxley and give him a kiss. My surreptitious glance at Madison shows her watching us with a stony expression. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” I whisper.
“It’s nothing.” He strokes my back. “All good?”
“Yes.”
“They’re going to courier the set to the house,” he says. “I hate to leave early, but I have a work emergency I can’t get out of. Madison will give you a ride back to your office.”
“I’d hate to impose. My office is in the opposite direction from yours. I can Uber,” I say, not wanting to spend any more time than necessary with his assistant.
“Nonsense.” He presses a kiss on my crown. “See you tonight.”
I wave, then turn to Madison. “Guess it was quite the emergency.” My tone is bland.
