“Why?”
“Because, thanks to me, the machine will be proud of its work,” I say honestly. “And that makes me happy.”
Antoine bursts out laughing. His head tilts back, and he chortles and hoots and wipes his eyes. It’s the first time I’m seeing him so wildly amused.
When he catches his breath, he goes, “Wow. Are you in therapy?”
“You think I should be?”
“No, sweet cheeks.” He reaches out and cradles the side of my face. “That being said, if there’s an organization like Pleasers Anonymous, you might want to attend their meetings.”
I pull a face. “Ha ha.”
“On a more serious note, I do think you should learn to be more assertive and say no.”
I cross my arms. “You think I’m a pushover?”
“I wouldn’t call you that, but…” He pauses to think.
“My best friend Denise thinks I am.”
“Let me ask you a question.” He takes my hand. “Do you love your job at the bank?”
I didn’t see that coming.“I hate it.”
“Thought so,” he says smugly. “And I already know that designing and making costume jewelry is your true passion.”
“You can’t possibly know that.”
“Oh, but I do.”
He nods, lips pursed and eyes narrowed.
His deliberately comical hint at some powerful secret knowledge cracks me up.
“I have proof,” he says. “You did wonders to salvage my lame wrist tattoo during the challenge in Sardinia. And the pieces I saw on the workstation at your studio were gorgeous.”
I feel compelled to reject his compliment. “Those weren’t my best.”
“Then your best must be smashing!”
I wave him off. “You haven’t seen a single finished piece.”
“Then show me. I’d love to see that.”
“I’m afraid you can’t,” I say. “I usually do the finishing touches in the back room of Aunt Mei’s shop and leave the pieces with her.”
“Then we can go see them at her shop.”
I shake my head. “She’s sold everything I made, and now she’s waiting for the new collection. But I’m too slow.”
“The bank job,” he circles back, “was that your choice or your parents’?”
“My parents’. Why?”
“If you quit, you’ll be able to focus on your craft.”
I roll my eyes. “My craft is just a hobby.”
