Page 96 of The Encounter
As soon as the cold weight of the pendant hit her chest, a sudden calm washed over her. In that moment, she knew, hands down, that she had made the right decision to spend the money on the pendant rather than on bills. Everyone was right. She needed to do this for herself.
After he clasped it, she turned back around, and he held out a mirror for her. The necklace glinted in the light exactly as she had remembered as a child.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered.
While she admired it in the mirror, he put the remaining chains back in the case. “Okay. Let’s get you on your way.”
She reluctantly set down the mirror and followed him back to the register. He rang up the chain, which she paid for, and then he clipped the price tag off it before handing her the plastic sack with her receipt and the empty jewelry box.
“It was wonderful doing business with you, Maddie,” he said. “I hope to see you in here again soon.”
“Thank you so much, Stephen. This truly means so much to me. I will certainly be back for any future jewelry needs.”
Maddie drove back to work, fingering the necklace the entire way. She couldn’t believe it. She had a necklace she had been wanting for years, and now it was finally around her neck.
When she pulled into Kailynn’s parking lot, she all but sprinted to the door. As soon as she stepped into their office, Kailynn sprang out of her seat.
“Let me see!”
Maddie let go of the pendant so Kailynn could admire it.
“Wow, Maddie! That’s gorgeous. Are you happy with it?”
She nodded emphatically. “Yes, it’s perfect. It’s everything I wanted. I can’t believe I finally have it.”
Tears immediately sprang to her eyes and before she could hold them back, they poured down her face.
Kailynn pulled Maddie into a hug, but remained silent. Maddie squeezed her and pulled back a minute later, wiping her eyes.
“Thank you. I didn’t expect to get so emotional.”
Kailynn smiled. “You don’t have to explain. It’s a tremendous accomplishment for you. I can’t imagine how many emotions you must be feeling.”
Maddie grasped the pendant again, continually running her fingers over it. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop touching it.”
“Well, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work, touch away.” Kailynn winked at Maddie before sitting back in her chair and continuing the dress she was sewing.
Maddie giggled and sat in her chair. “You’re the coolest boss ever.”
“That’s always nice to hear,” Kailynn said.
Maddie pulled out her phone and shot a text to Jace.
I got my necklace! It’s perfect! I can’t wait to show you tonight!
He replied immediately.Can’t wait to see you wearing it!
She smiled and set her phone aside before pulling up her company e-mail account. An e-mail waited from a contact she still had in New York at one of the high-end fashion companies who held a storefront on 5th Avenue. Maddie’s eyes widened, and she immediately clicked on the e-mail.
Her eyes skimmed the words, and she squealed.
Kailynn laughed. “What has you all excited, aside from that gorgeous necklace?”
Maddie spun in her chair to face Kailynn. “Okay. Remember how I said I had a contact with Prestige?”
Kailynn raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”
“Well, she passed your designs off to the owner, Tiffany Carmichael. Tiffany would like to discuss a future contract with you.”
