Chapter 6 - The Necklace Nobody Could Steal
Three months later, Meridian Collections unveiled its spring showcase.
Sophia stood backstage staring at the centerpiece.
A platinum necklace curved across black velvet.
At its center rested a pale blue diamond surrounded by architectural lines of smaller stones.
Victoria Lang approached.
“You’re avoiding the ballroom.”
“I’m preparing.”
“You’ve adjusted that necklace six times.”
“Seven.”
“It was perfect three adjustments ago.”
Sophia smiled.
Victoria handed her a champagne glass.
“Your name is on the collection.”
Sophia looked toward the display card.
SOPHIA BENNETT — LEAD DESIGNER
Not assistant.
Not contributor.
Not Ethan’s girlfriend.
Her name.
Victoria said, “The board approved your permanent position.”
Sophia turned.
“What?”
“Creative director for special collections.”
Sophia stared at her.
“You’re serious?”
“Unfortunately. Now I have to pay you significantly more.”
Sophia laughed.
A familiar voice came from behind them.
“Tragic.”
She turned.
Adrian stood near the entrance.
Black tuxedo.
Dark tattoos still visible along one hand.
Victoria excused herself.
Sophia looked at him.
“You came.”
“You invited me.”
“I sent you an invitation.”
“That is generally how invitations work.”
“You ignored my last three messages.”
“I was working.”
“For three weeks?”
“Complicated work.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes.
“Is that mafia language?”
Adrian’s expression remained perfectly straight.
“It’s paperwork language.”
She laughed.
That was when she noticed he was holding something.
A small velvet box.
“No.”
He looked confused.
“You haven’t seen it yet.”
“I know what boxes like that mean.”
For the first time since she had known him, Adrian Moretti looked genuinely caught off guard.
“It isn’t a ring.”
“Oh.”
“Disappointed?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Maybe slightly.”
He stared at her.
Sophia smiled.
“I’m joking.”
He handed her the box.
Inside was the black business card he had given her months earlier.
Framed beneath glass.
Sophia looked up.
“What is this?”
“The worst business card I ever designed.”
“You designed it?”
“I approved it.”
“That explains the lack of personality.”
He ignored that.
“You called the number once.”
“Yes.”
“I thought you might want to remember the night you stopped needing it.”
Sophia’s smile faded.
Not from sadness.
Something quieter.
“You think I don’t need you anymore?”
“I hope you never need me the way you did that night.”
She closed the box.
“And if I want you?”
Adrian became very still.
The ballroom noise seemed to disappear.
“Sophia.”
“That wasn’t complicated.”
“No.”
“Then answer.”
He stepped closer.
“I’ve spent three months deliberately not answering that question.”
“Why?”
“Because the first night you called me, you were terrified.”
“And?”
“I refused to become another man you confused with safety because you were afraid.”
Sophia studied him.
That answer mattered more than she expected.
“So you stayed away.”
“Yes.”
“You could have asked what I wanted.”
“I’m asking now.”
Sophia smiled.
“Dinner.”
Adrian blinked.
“Dinner?”
“Normal people start with dinner.”
“I’m not particularly normal.”
“I noticed.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Tonight.”
He looked toward the ballroom.
“You have a showcase.”
Sophia picked up her champagne.
“Then you’ll have to wait.”
Adrian smiled.
May you like
“Apparently.”
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