If the Ring Fits.... Jackie Braun

would never think to use to describe the man before her. She cleared her throat. “So, what are you writing about now?”

      “The best places to stay and dine during fashion week in each city, with a side piece on up-and-coming designers to watch.”

      “I suppose you had to interview a lot of models for that.”

      His careless shrug was at odds with his Casanova smile. “They have a unique perspective to offer.”

      “One model in particular, I’m guessing.”

      Again, the smile. “Astrid.”

      Rachel pictured a long-limbed and graceful beauty. “And you are here today looking for something special to give her. A token of your affection and appreciation?”

      “Pazzesco!” He flashed a smile. “You know me too well.”

      Actually, what Rachel knew was his type. Tony was a lot like her absentee father, who’d left her mother when Heidi was barely out of diapers. Griff Preston had popped in and out of his daughters’ lives since then, showering them with gifts that were a poor substitute for his time and affection.

      “So, what are you thinking? A necklace? Perhaps a bracelet? Or maybe a pair of earrings?”

      Tony never purchased a ring. Too much could be read in to that, he’d told her once, and she thought he had a point.

      “A necklace, I think. Astrid has a lovely neck. It will make an exquisite showcase for one of your designs.”

      Rachel pulled out a pad of paper to jot down some notes. Already, ideas were flashing in her mind. She loved this part of the process.

      “Let’s talk about style. If you want to showcase her neck, perhaps a choker would be best. Something delicate, feminine. Maybe pearls, three or four rows, threaded together with silver wire.”

      But he was shaking his head. “A choker sits too high.” He touched Rachel’s neck. “I want something longer that falls about here.” The tip of his finger glided slowly from the hollow of her throat to the lowest point visible in the V of her blouse. Her breath hitched.

      “Ah. More of a pendant, then,” she managed.

      “Yes. Something to draw attention to her other assets.”

      “Why don’t you tell me a little bit about Astrid?” It was standard practice. It helped Rachel with the design process. But she also couldn’t help but be curious about the glamorous women Tony dated.

      He rubbed his jaw. Even though he hadn’t shaved, the dark stubble that shaded his jaw didn’t do anything to detract from his appearance. “She’s very interested in astrology and numerology, tarot cards.”

      “And her sign?” She said it tongue-in-cheek, but he answered with a straight face.

      “Pisces.”

      “What does she look like, other than being gorgeous, since that much is a given?”

      “Well, she is Swedish. Pale, creamy skin.”

      “Blonde?”

      “Yes, with eyes nearly as blue as yours. Her lashes are not as lush, though.”

      He’d noticed her eyes? Rachel made a little humming noise in the back of her throat before asking, “And how old is she?”

      “Twenty-three.”

      Ah. That made Astrid just a year younger than Mal’s secretary.

      “She’s been modeling professionally since she was fourteen,” Tony was saying.

      “Fourteen, hmm. Where are those child-labor laws when you need them?”

      “You think she is too young for me.” His expression held more amusement than insult.

      “I make no judgments,” she said hastily. Then she exhaled and shook her head. “At least I shouldn’t. I mean, who am I to judge anyone’s relationship?”

      “I am sorry, carina.”

      Embarrassed by her outburst as much as by the sympathy she saw in his eyes, Rachel got back to business.

      “Does Astrid have a favorite gemstone?”

      “Diamonds.” His laughter rumbled and he shook his head. “I think a warmer stone would suit her better.”

      Tony never went for diamonds. He didn’t have to tell Rachel that, as with the purchase of a ring, too much could be read into that particular stone, as well.

      Rachel took the key ring from the pocket of her blazer, unlocked the case and retrieved a black-velvet-lined tray from the bottom shelf. Loose stones of various cuts, sizes and colors glittered under the lights.

      “Do you see anything here that catches your eye? Don’t worry about the cut or size. Anything you select I can cut and size to suit. We’re just picking out a gemstone right now.”

      Tony settled on an aquamarine—Astrid’s birthstone—in a triangular-shaped or “trilliant” cut that would be set in platinum. He wanted no less than three carats for the stone. As for the rest of the design, including the kind of chain, he left that to Rachel. She was thinking of something that would pull in Astrid’s interest in astrology. She appreciated his trust in her artistic judgment. Some customers were so specific about what they wanted and they insisted on being so involved in the process that they left little room for creativity. In those cases, she was left to craft their vision. She much preferred conjuring up one of her own.

      “When would you like to pick it up?” she asked as she wrote up the order.

      “I will be in town for the next several weeks. Astrid will be in New York the last weekend in November for a magazine photo shoot. Would that be enough time?”

      She did some quick calculations in her head. If the stone he wanted came in quickly from her supplier, it would be more than enough time. She had little else on her plate, professionally or personally.

      “It shouldn’t be a problem. Shall we say the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, then?”

      Tony nodded as he rose. “Perfect. I cannot wait to see what you create.”

      The smile she gave him was fueled by genuine pleasure rather than mere politeness. Not only had designing jewelry paid her bills, during the past several months, it had saved her sanity.

      She meant it when she said, “I’m very eager to get started.”

      “Until I see you again, bella.”

      “Yes. Until then.”

      CHAPTER TWO

      THE weather outside was every bit as bitter as it had been before Tony had ducked into Expressive Gems. He turned up the trench’s collar once again and tucked his hands into its lined pockets. As he made his way to the bakery, walking headlong into the wind, he started to whistle.

      So, his favorite jewelry designer was single now.

      He couldn’t quite figure out how he felt about that. Nor could he explain why he hadn’t mentioned to Rachel that the necklace he was having her make for Astrid was intended as a parting gift. He had ended things with the young model before returning to the States. The relationship had run its course.

      Astrid was lovely, funny and far smarter than most people gave her credit for being, but they didn’t have much in common except time to kill between fashion events in various European cities. And even there they’d differed. Where Tony gravitated to the classics in art, music and clothing, Astrid followed the trends. She wanted to stay out late and kick up her heels in the exclusive nightclubs, whereas Tony had tired of life in that fast lane years ago. Did that make him too old? Or Astrid too young, he mused? Regardless, he had grown bored quickly.

      Indeed, as time went on, his relationships were becoming shorter and shorter. In each