Page 568 of Manhattan Bossholes

No, that was a lie. Felicity was already doing a phenomenal job; it was more a matter of our oil and water personalities that put me on edge. Everyone else on the team adored her, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. So why was I always on the receiving end of a glare? Like now, I was merely taking note of what she was wearing—a bright blue dress that showed off an hourglass figure—and she shot me a narrowed-eyes stare that made me feel like I’d been caught leering at her.

Of course, the possibility existed that I was leering, because the woman was a fucking goddess. It wasn’t like she dressed to show off her body—everything she wore was more than appropriate for our somewhat buttoned-up office culture—but even the little slits in her skirts that showed off the back of her knees were enough to make me think of what she had going on a little higher up. I laughed at myself. I could bed any gorgeous woman I wanted, yet here I was, getting hard at the thought of a knee thanks to the new hire.

“Why don’t we get started?” I said loudly, my voice echoing around the grand space.

Everyone moved toward the display where our most senior retail associate, Bernard, was waiting with a black velvet pillow. Felicity wound up standing right beside me, but she managed to avoid meeting my eyes. It was as if she couldn’t stand the sight of me.

“Welcome, everyone,” Sandrine said. “We’re so excited to be spending time with Lucy Dubois tonight!”

Everyone clapped and the influencer beamed at us, miming clapping movements back at the group. She had that practiced way of holding herself, like she was poised to be photographed at any moment and was always ready to present her best angle. She was attractive in that Instagram model sort of way, with overdrawn dark eyebrows and lips that had seen their fair share of needles. Standing next to a natural beauty like Felicity, my first thought was that the woman looked slightly alien. But then I berated myself for being too judgmental. For our purposes, her looks were inconsequential. What we needed was her reach—and she had plenty of that. Lucy was a pro at her job, and if everything went according to plan, the partnership was going to be a home run.

“We wanted to start off today’s meeting with an introduction of our latest engagement ring line, so Lucy can get those creative juices flowing,” Sandrine continued, directing a smile at the influencer.

“I am beyond about this opportunity,” Lucy exclaimed. “Like, pinch-me moments galore!”

Okay, the woman’s enthusiasm was charming. I hoped it would translate to positive press for us.

“Clara? Why don’t you step up and begin our tour,” Sandrine said.

Our lead designer was the quintessential creative with a severe black bob, matching wide-rim black glasses, and some sort of black avant-garde dress and cape combination I couldn’t figure out. Nor was I going to ask, because she would tell me—at length. She wasn’t always the easiest personality to handle, but she was the best in the business.

“Of course. Tonight, we begin with the Aeternum,” Clara intoned, her German accent making her sound somber. She plucked the ring from the black velvet pad in front of Bernard and held it in the air. “A pear-cut, five carat diamond with fifty chevron-shaped facets in it, set on a pavé-studded band. This is a statement ring that demands attention.”

“Oh, it’s glorious,” Lucy squealed, clapping. “But I need to see it on someone! Not me, because these paws haven’t had a manicure in a week.” She turned to Felicity. “Look at your perfect hands. Put it on for us!”

Felicity blanched, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. “Oh, no I couldn’t. Let’s have Sandrine⁠—”

“What’s your ring size, Felicity?” Bernard asked with a knowing smile. “A six, perhaps?”

“Uh,” she paused, staring at the ring like she was afraid of it. “I have no idea, actually.”

“All of our rings are presented in a size six in store, and I know for a fact that Sandrine is a seven. But I think the Aeternum will fit you.”

Felicity picked up the ring like it was a bomb about to go off. She glanced at me, then slid it on her finger.

“Wow, it’s stunning,” she sighed, turning her hand back and forth and then holding it up next to her face.

“Perfect fit,” Bernard said proudly. “Like you’re Cinderella.”

Lucy already had her phone out, recording the casual try-on. “You should see how it sparkles on video, I don’t even need a filter,” she exclaimed. “Oh, my followers are going to love this content!”

I glanced at Dominick and gave him a pointed look.

“Um, Lucy,” Dominic adjusted his glasses. “You can’t post anything yet, since we still need to work out the contracts.”

“And this is just an internal reveal—we’re not ready to go public with this line yet,” Sandrine added.

“Right, right, right,” Lucy said, still recording. “Of course, I won’t post a thing yet. But it’ll help me with my brainstorming later.”

Felicity was staring at the ring on her finger. It looked beautiful—I’d approved the design, after all—but it wasn’t right for her. The Aeternum was a big, flashy piece, better suited for a woman who felt like she had something to say to the world—at top volume. A status-seeker. I didn’t know Felicity well, but that didn’t seem like her.

“What do you think of it?” I asked her.

She was close enough to me that I got a hint of peach in the air around her. Of course she smelled sweet.

“It’s something else,” she replied, still fixated on the ring. “I think it’s a couple years’ worth of rent on my finger. And it’s heavy!” She shook her hand back and forth gently. “I feel like I’m wearing a kettle bell.”

“Are you telling me you’re too weak to carry eight carats?” I chuckled at her. “You’re in trouble. Just wait until you see the Brilliant. You won’t be able to pick your arm up off the counter!”