“It’s a tough line to follow, but it’s worth it.” Too often, I find myself chasing leads that are nothing more than a cover-up for slave labor. Those people fuel a terrible reputation for all gemstone suppliers.
“Harder these days, too,” Calliope agrees as we move up the line. “With how people can 3D print stuff that looks so real at a glance but turns up just a mess. All it takes is one scammer to slap our branding on it and then I’m fielding a hundred calls about our fake jewelry.”
“Combine that with AI creations showing people gemstones that don’t exist and opening up another market for scammers… It’s why it’s so important to me that I know every step. From the crystal mined overseas to where my gems end up.”
“Even in small businesses all the way over here in San Francisco?”
Our eyes meet and my smile warms. “Exactly.”
We reach the counter, and I order us two brown roasted coffees with extra creamer for me, something that makes Calliope chuckle. She keeps it to herself until we’ve acquired our coffees and stepped back out into the bitter January cold.
“What’s so funny?”
“I just didn’t have you pegged as the kind of guy who liked his coffee to be basically syrup.”
“Oh, the creamer?” I bury my smile in a drink that’s equally hot and satisfying. “I actually hate the taste of coffee. I like what it does, don’t get me wrong. But the taste?” I scrunch my nose. “Disgusting.”
“So you’re not a hard ass who drinks it black straight from the pot?”
“Not on your life.”
“Wow, I had you pegged all wrong.” Calliope laughs softly and sips her drink. The moment she groans, my chest lifts with satisfaction. “Oh, that tastes amazing.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Yes, thank you.” She shoots me a glance and smiles, then glances both ways up and down the street before we cross. “If this is a hint to how today is going to go, then I’m in for a good day.”
“Do you get nervous about Nick?” I ask, immediately taking the plunge to find out something about her that isn’t work-related.
“Because of kindergarten?”
I nod.
“Kind of. It was really hard the first time he went, and then it got easier. But…” Her brows dips and her head lowers until I can’t see her face anymore.
She’s studying the top of her coffee cup as we walk, so I use my shoulder to gently guide her steps around some approaching people.
“After my father passed, it got harder. Being away from him is… It’s weird. I don’t know how to explain it. It feels like a part of me is missing, and every call I get when he’s not here just scares me.” She laughs suddenly, an abrupt, hollow sound. “I suppose all parents feel the same.”
“Maybe.” I nod. “Loss can trigger that sort of thing. How does his dad feel about it?”
Calliope’s steps stumble slightly and her head snaps up. “There is no dad,” she says after a moment. “It’s just me and Nick.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Her smile widens, but it doesn’t reach her eyes like before. “What about you? No kids with your wife?”
My brow pinches together. “No kids. And I’m not married.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed since you’re a fancy business owner and all,” she says.
“It’s fine. But no, I don’t have kids. Closest I’ve had was the family dog, and he passed away a couple of years ago, so… just me.”
“I’d love a dog.” Calliope grins, warmth finally returning to her eyes as we turn into the work parking lot. “But I don’t think I could cope with one right now on top of Nick. That’s a bit too much chaos.”
“I can imagine. They say it takes a village to raise a child, don’t they?”
“That they do,” she replies.
