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He lifts his eyebrows. “Just like that?”
“You expect me to haggle?”
“Most people do.”
“Well, I’m in a hurry.” My gaze falls on a black pearl choker in one of the inside display cases.
Skye’s neck was made for a choker, and this one won’t be a collar.
“How much is that one?” I ask. “The black pearl.”
“Those are premium cultured pearls from Japan, hand-knotted with a platinum clasp.”
“Right. How much?”
“Three thousand five hundred.”
“Would it make you feel better if I asked you to throw that in with the diamond purchase?”
“I can take two hundred off the pearls, sir.”
“Sold.” I pull out my wallet.
…
I leave the Diamond District with my purchases, ready to head back to my Manhattan office, when an idea strikes me. I don’t want to wait to give Skye the pearl choker. I want her to have it today. No service will get it to her that quickly, so I click a photo of the piece and place a call to my Boston jeweler.
“Donald,” I say into the phone, “Braden Black.”
“Hello, Mr. Black. What can I do for you?”
“I’m texting you a photo of a black pearl choker. Take a look at it. Do you have something similar in stock?”
I wait a few minutes while he checks the photo.
“I have a lovely one from Akimoto Designs. The pearls are slightly smaller, but it’s a fifteen-inch choker much like your photo.”
“Excellent. Charge it to me, and I want it delivered this afternoon in plain brown paper. Put a handwritten note in an envelope on the package. Got it?”
“Yes, of course. What would you like the note to say?”
I ponder his question for a few seconds. “I’ll text it to you. That way you have it in writing.”
“Good enough. And the address?”
“It’s going to Skye Manning. I’ll text the particulars.”
“Very good, Mr. Black. Thank you for your business.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks, Donald.”
I end the call and quickly text him Skye’s address.
I sigh. For the note.
I start a text. Erase it and start another.
Fuck it. Why not just get straight to the point?
