“The ones here in the case, yes. Nothing you see was made or sold by humans. Everything we offer is high quality and genuine. They each come with a certificate of authenticity.”
“Let me try on the bracelet.”
I slid the glass door in the back open. Using a cloth, I pulled out the simple bracelet with rounded stones. “The necklace design is pure silver. I also have a silver bracelet with one large stone, but I personally think this one is more elegant and versatile for any occasion.”
Instead of putting on the bracelet, she rolled it between her fingers with her eyes closed. A smile touched her lips. “You put a lot of love into these,” she said. “I like the way it feels. It has good energy.”
I frowned, certain I hadn’t touched it with my bare hands when getting it out of the display. “Can you feel my emotions? I made it two weeks ago. I’m so sorry if any emotions were left behind. Maybe I should start wearing gloves when I’m making them.”
She laughed. “No, darlin’. Your emotions don’t hang around that long. But stones have a way of absorbing energy and keeping it for a while. I suppose they’re kinda like me.”
I noticed her gold rings. “Maybe you’d like something more refined. I have some pure silver jewelry over by the wall.”
“Nonsense. I like to get gussied up now and then, but I’m open to new things. These are just divine. I can’t tell you how many of my clients have complimented my blouse. Oh, not this one,” she said, noticing my puzzled expression. “I bought another one in here a few weeks ago. Nobody gives my gold watch a second glance, but this”—she tapped the bracelet with one finger—“will catch everyone’s eye. You’re a talented young lady.”
“I can give you a discount.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. My compliments are always free of charge. Full price or I walk.”
“It’s two hundred even for the set. Tax included.”
“Sold.”
Using the black cloth, I collected the necklace from the display and carefully arranged the pieces in gift boxes. Some Sensors wore gloves in public, but I still tried to be sensitive to their needs. While she browsed the revolving display of rings, I carefully folded the tissue paper to protect the jewelry in the bag. When my cell phone rang, I almost dropped everything.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s me,” Asia said. “Sorry I didn’t call last night, but something came up.”
“Not a problem. I’m glad to hear from you. I was worried that maybe you didn’t receive the contracts, so I was going to send them over again this afternoon.”
“I got them.”
Asia’s terse response left me uncertain. “Is something wrong?” I placed the boxes inside the gift bag, folding more tissue paper on top.
“Okay,” she said firmly. “I’m going to tell you the truth.”
My stomach did a flip-flop.
“Last night I was reading the paperwork when I suddenly got an email. I don’t know who sent it, but they made a counteroffer.”
Stunned, I pushed the bag toward the woman, who then handed me a five-hundred-dollar bill. “What do you mean, a counteroffer?”
“They want to pay me more to not make a deal with you.”
I slid a clipboard to the customer and pointed to where she needed to write her name and number. “You mean they want to buy your feathers?”
Asia hesitated. “No, they didn’t say that. They just wanted to pay me not to sell you anything.”
My jaw dropped. “Who?”
“I don’t know. They didn’t put their name on the email.”
I shook my head. “Then you don’t know if they were serious.”
“Oh, they’re very serious. They sent over a deliveryman with an advance.”
I slammed the register shut and handed the woman three hundred in change. “Did you accept?”
