Chapter 2 The Showcase

The jewelry was all arranged on silk stands or hanging in these glass cubes, and it really sparkled, a little harsh, honestly, like you could get hurt if you got too close. The crowd wasn't huge, but everyone there had a reason for their attendance: a few buyers, a couple critics, and a pair of influencers who were already filming themselves making slow laps around the cases.

The playlist had been changed to smooth jazz, soft tones that fit the atmosphere of the showcase. You could practically feel people sizing each other up between sentences in each conversation.

Elise had learned how to move through a space without ever drawing too much attention; she'd nod at somebody who complimented her work, answer questions about her inspiration, but never stick around anywhere long enough to get dragged into something.

As her mother advised, she wore a black long-sleeve dress and a simple silver pendant from her first collection; that was her version of saying she remembered exactly how she'd started.

Every so often, she'd check her phone. She told herself it was about waiting for news from Tyler. But maybe she just needed a reason to look busy, to keep the upper hand.

"Elise! There you are. You have to meet Lila, the one I mentioned." The publicist came up behind her and gently pulled her toward a woman in a white linen dress, the kind that made you feel instantly less put-together. Lila's handshake was quick and businesslike, like time was too expensive to waste.

"I hear you're the next big thing," Lila said, her voice so sharp it left no room for argument.

Elise only smiled with half her mouth. "I believe that's your decision."

Lila gave a little laugh, almost too light to catch. "This is very... dramatic," she said, pointing at a choker that shimmered in the display. "Is it meant to be so aggressive?"

"It's meant to be honest," Elise said.

Lila tipped her head as if considering that. "Honest can be hard to wear."

"Most things worth having are."

Now Lila was really looking at her, eyes narrowing like she was trying to see around corners. Eventually she just nodded, like she'd already bought the choker in her mind. "We'll talk," she said, and then she was off.

The publicist gave a little thumbs-up and left, and almost right away, Elise answered questions again. This time it was a guy in tortoiseshell glasses asking about "emotional resonance in industrial design," and she let him ramble while she sipped prosecco and watched the clock. By the time she glanced at her phone again, it was a quarter past eight. Still no Tyler.

Tyler Sinclair, Elise's long-term boyfriend, was always late when it actually mattered. In the beginning, Elise spent all her time supporting him as he set a path to prove himself to his family, but now he had promised he would support her. So while he may be late, Elise knew he would show up for her.

Elise made her rounds again, a habit she couldn't quite break; she checked every case, because deep down she knew people couldn't keep their hands off things they weren't supposed to have. The glass was smudged, fingerprints everywhere, some so heavy they looked like bruises.

She wiped them away, then checked her phone again. Still nothing.

Near the centerpiece, a new necklace, the one she'd nearly ruined her hands putting together that afternoon, a group of art students circled, not quite daring to get close. They stared at it like little birds eyeing a housecat, knowing how fast things could go wrong.

"It's... a lot," one finally whispered, "but I can't take my eyes off of it. It's like I need to have it."

Elise let herself be proud for a second, then moved on. She was at the far end of the room when the door opened.

Tyler came in like he'd been practicing his entrance, jacket perfect but somehow off, tie missing and collar open. He was smiling already, and when he grabbed a drink mid-walk, he didn't even pause. It was actually impressive.

"Elise! This place is amazing," he said, arms thrown out like he was inviting applause. "Everyone's talking. Even Lila, and she's never impressed."

"You're late," Elise told him, but she gave a smile anyway. People were watching.

He gave her a look. "Meetings. Sinclair group is having meltdowns about the new line or something. But honestly, I'd rather be here."

She didn't buy it, but she just nodded. "Glad you made it."

He clinked his glass to hers and then, just like that, drifted toward a group of influencers and a gallerist. In less than a minute, he had them laughing. He was always the center of whatever crowd he joined. That's what had first drawn her in, and what she'd learned to be careful about.

She watched him for a second, then slipped away to the window for some air. Now that he was here, she would let him shine while she took a break.

Outside, the city lights looked more intense than usual, bright against the last strip of twilight. She stood there and tried to breathe, the air weirdly metallic and sharp, like her own jewelry. She took another sip and reminded herself that success was supposed to feel like this.

But it didn't really last.

"Elle, darling, do you ever sleep?" That was Jenna, her old friend who'd turned networking into something like a sport. Always perfect, always ready with a new scoop, and always drawing attention away from Elise. Tonight she wore a midnight-blue dress and diamonds, her whole look designed to be memorable.

Elise knew better than to flinch. "Sometimes. Usually here."

Jenna laughed, looping her arm around Elise's, it looked friendly, but there was pressure there. "You're brutal. These are amazing. I don't think I've ever seen anything so bold." She reached for a cuff, letting her finger trace the edge. "Was this one inspired by the breakup?"

Elise hesitated only a second. Only Jenna knew her life experiences inspired her designs, but this was not the time to bring that up. "You'll have to be more specific."

Jenna grinned, glancing around. "You know. The lawyer? Or was it the wine guy?"

Without missing a beat, Elise smiled like she had no idea what Jenna was talking about. All these ex-boyfriends were ones that fell for Jenna's trap and ended up dumping Elise to be with Jenna when they thought they had a chance.

Jenna used to say it was a challenge to make sure that everyone Elise dated really cared about her. Tyler was the only one that never fell for Jenna's games. "You're thinking of someone else."

Jenna pressed her hand to Elise's wrist, thumb brushing a little tattoo only a few people knew about. "No, I know you. You're the original."

Elise gently pulled away and turned, fidgeting with the jewelry display. "Glad you made it."

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it. And besides, someone's got to keep an eye on Tyler. He's a bit too reckless when he's in the spotlight." Jenna's eyes sparkled, meaning clear.

Elise tried not to care. "How's work?"

Jenna launched into her update, talking fast and dropping names. Something about a new CBD skincare launch, but the juicy part was the founder's divorce, which Jenna recapped in vivid detail. Elise listened and nodded, but honestly, her mind kept drifting.

Jenna had been her best friend since college. In fact, if it weren't for Jenna, Elise would have just been a hermit crab, only leaving her dorm to attend class. She wouldn't have the connections that she has today. However, there was always something one-sided about their relationship.

Elise remembered how the first necklace she ever made looked under the light, cold and bright, not hiding anything. She wanted her pieces to get noticed for what they really were, not just for what everyone else was putting out. When she went to showcase it, Jenna had accidentally broken it.

Elise was hurt, but she knew it wasn't intentional. In fact, Jenna helped her ensure her designs were stronger and almost indestructible. All Jenna's actions end up helping Elise in the end; it's just that sometimes they also hurt.

Elise let out a deep sigh and returned to the party. Jenna was right; she couldn't let Tyler take all the spotlight off of the pieces on display.

As the night went on, everyone moved in the same patterns, getting together, splitting up, finding new circles. The food disappeared, and soon the conversations were drifting away from business.

At one point, Elise saw Tyler talking with Lila, both of them laughing. The way he leaned in, the way he held his drink, it was classic Tyler. He was always selling something, even if it was just himself.

She looked away and noticed Jenna watching her.

"You know, you can do better," Jenna said softly, almost like she meant it.

Elise didn't react. "Maybe I don't want better. Maybe I want real."

Jenna's smile had changed. "Just don't forget how men can be. I'm the only one that really has your best interest at heart."

Elise wanted to defend Tyler, but she didn't. Instead, she started stacking up empty glasses and making her rounds, checking in on the guests and saying all the right things. She remembered everyone's name and what they liked. She knew that was the real trick in this business.

By half past ten, people began to head out. The critics were the first to leave, then the buyers, who left their cards under the glass. The crowd got smaller and the whole room felt different, quieter. Elise saw Tyler at the window again, posing like he might be waiting for a photographer. Jenna was there, too, leaning closer than strictly necessary.

Elise didn't want to see more. She went into the back, rinsing dishes and cleaning up, her hands shaking now that it was almost over. This was always the worst part, the night ending, the adrenaline gone, doubts creeping in.

She heard Tyler in the doorway.

"Hey," he said, casual but a little bit softer. "You were amazing tonight."

Elise shrugged.

He stepped forward. "Look, I know I've been distracted lately. But you're the most important thing, I swear."

She didn't know whether that made things better or worse. Jenna's words were echoing in her mind.

Before she could say anything, Jenna's head popped in. "Sorry! Just borrowing Tyler, a photographer wants one of us together. You understand right, Elle?"

Elise shook her head. "You go ahead. I'll finish up here." She knew that since Jenna and Tyler worked together, this happened often, but she didn't like it. Jenna said she was just being insecure and that maybe it was because she knows deep down she can't trust Tyler, but Elise wasn't so sure it was Tyler she should be wary of.

Jenna smiled, then pulled Tyler out with her. He glanced back once, but he still went.

Now the studio was empty, just the fading light from the cases and the view out the window. Elise stood for a minute, watching the last guests head outside. It was quieter than it had been all night.

She finally allowed her shoulders to relax. No more navigating, no more performance; just the silence.

She went back to the main display, opened the case, and held the necklace. It felt heavy, but in a good way. She turned it in the light, so it flashed, all cold fire, a little mean but beautiful. This was her work, and no one could take that from her.

She locked it away, checked the other cases, and switched off the lights. The studio went dark, soft and deep. Elise left, shutting the door behind her, and for the first time all night, the sound felt final and right.

As she was leaving, Elise heard the faint sounds of a couple making out in the alley on the side of the studio. For a moment, she thought she could hear Tyler's voice.