“It’s beautiful. I have a thing for chokers.”
“So vintage, right? I love old things from the 90s.”
“Hey now, the 90s are hardly vintage!” I laugh, playfully scrunching my nose. “I remember wearing chokers when they were popular and I’m notthatold. Plus, chokers are a timeless trend. They were popular in the 20s and in the 40s, not just the 90s.” I grin at her. “May I try it on?”
“Please! You’ll be the first.”
With great care, she picks up the necklace and holds it above a satin pillow she placed on the countertop. Three rows of diamonds make up this necklace with a single thin clasp in the back.
“This particular necklace is called the Audrey. It’s made up of one hundred thirty-seven carats set in white gold. The clasp in the back was designed to be invisible once the choker’s in place. Although, it’s preferred that we refer to this necklace as the Audrey asl' écharpe, rather than a choker.” She lifts it. “May I?”
“Please.” Turning around, I pull my hair to the side, leaning back slightly to make it easier for her to reach me. Bringing the statement piece around my neck, she clasps it.
From my purse, I hear my phone vibrating, but I don’t bother reaching for it. Instead, I turn and face the small mirror onthe counter, gently rubbing my fingers against the jewelry as I admire it.
“It’s absolutely stunning.” I make brief eye contact with the saleswoman. “I think I’m obsessed with it.”
“It looks gorgeous on you,” she confirms. Behind her, a man in a full suit approaches with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Ah, the Audrey.” He admires the piece of art around my neck. “This piece looks like it was made for you.”
“Maybe it was.” I smile, then look back down in the mirror. “And what is the price?”
“Six million, Miss.”
I purse my lips as I look at my reflection. The purchase would be indulgent, although the last time I spent millions on something was when I bought my apartment.
“I’ll take it,” I tell the saleswoman, and she beams at me.
“Special occasion?” the manager asks.
“Divorce.” It’s half true.
The manager’s face morphs from excitement to pity, then back to excitement all in the blink of an eye, and I do my best not to laugh at his expressions.
Returning my attention to the mirror to admire the necklace more, I hear the sound of heels against the hardwood flooring and the soft voices of my friends as they approach.
“There you are! What did you find?” Vinnie asks sweetly as she comes to stand by me, her hand rubbing against my back.
“Just a little number.” I wiggle my fingers toward the choker. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“That necklace looks like it was made for you!” Cecilia comes and stands on my other side. “Raina, it's absolutely stunning.”
“I think so, too. I’m buying it!”
“Let me help you remove it and I’ll get it packaged up for you,” the saleswoman interjects, and I turn and lean backward again so she can unclasp the necklace.
When she walks away, Vinnie laughs. “Starting off shopping strong, huh?”
“How can I resist when my week has been such a disaster?”
“How are you doing?” Cecilia gently asks with a tight smile.
“I’ve been better.” My gaze connects with Vinnie’s. “I still haven’t heard from him.”
“He’s okay,” she tells me simply. “Just insisting he needs time to think.”
I roll my eyes. “He doesn’t believe me. Well, he’s going to be really unhappy when he’s finally ready to talk and I got tired of waiting. This goes both ways. I get to choose to talk to him, too. He’s the one who walked away, not me.”
