Stroke of Sapphire by N.J. Walters

them was possible? Could both of them change enough to make things work? Was that even realistic or would one or both of them just end up miserable?
    And then there was the question of Jake’s dark side, his need to control things in the bedroom. What did that really mean? And was she ready to know the answer? So many questions and no easy answers.
    A few minutes later, a flash of color outside the window caught her eye. Her sister was striding down the street toward the bakery. There was no missing Topaz with her bold gold jacket and black pencil skirt and heels that topped her out at over six feet. Her black hair was short and sassy, her expression all business. Her sister drew people’s eyes wherever she went. They also got out of her way.
    Sapphire had tucked away her worries and was smiling by the time Topaz entered the bakery and made her way across the room. “Sorry I’m late. I got…detained.” The way she said it left Sapphire no doubt that it was her soon-to-be husband who had detained her. Topaz had a lovely glow to her cheeks that Sapphire didn’t think all came from the crisp morning air.
    “No problem. I haven’t been here long.”
    Topaz dropped her oversized bag onto an empty chair before taking her seat. She flicked open the button on her jacket to reveal a black camisole trimmed with lace. Her sister always looked so put together.
    Sapphire glanced down at her jeans, low-heeled leather boots and the blue cashmere sweater she wore. She was comfortable, but no one would ever accuse her of being a fashion icon. The only area where she was a fashion leader was when it came to accessories. Already this morning, she’d had one woman ask her where she got the hammered silver bracelet that adorned her wrist. She was always happy to direct potential customers to Sisters’ Jewels.
    “I got you a coffee and an éclair.”
    Topaz raised an eyebrow before picking up the chocolaty treat and taking a bite. “What’s the occasion?” she asked after she enjoyed the first taste.
    Sapphire shrugged. “Mostly because I felt like one.”
    Topaz frowned and wiped her hands on a paper napkin. “What’s wrong? And don’t say nothing. You’ve been saying that for weeks and I’ve let you. But no more.”
    Sapphire shrugged, not quite sure where to begin. Usually she and her sister shared everything, but it wasn’t so easy with Jake and John being brothers. She didn’t want to put Topaz in the middle of her problems with Jake.
    Topaz reached out and touched her hand. “Whatever it is, I’m on your side.”
    Tears pricked Sapphire’s eyes, but she managed a slight smile. “I know. I’ve just been going through some stuff, but I’m mostly over it now.”
    “Does that mean you’re going to dump most of the clothes you’ve bought lately?”
    Sapphire sat up straighter and bristled with annoyance. “You don’t like them? I thought you’d like the fact I was taking more interest in clothes.”
    “Oh, sweetie, I would if I thought it was making you happy.” Topaz leaned her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “You’ve seemed determined, driven almost, but not happy.”
    Sapphire sighed and rubbed her forehead, hoping the coffee and chocolate would help stave off the threatening headache forming behind her eyes. “Yeah, well, it was an experiment, but you’ll be pleased to know I’m done with it.” As soon as she got home, she would be bagging up all her latest purchases and hauling them down to the local consignment store. No more trying to be something she wasn’t.
    “I’m glad if you are. But, Sapphire, you haven’t been happy, not in a while now. Emerald called me last night to ask if anything was wrong. You haven’t called her in a week and she hasn’t been able to get hold of you.”
    And now she was feeling guilty. Yes, she’d been avoiding both her older sisters, mostly because she didn’t know what to say to them. She didn’t want to talk about Jake with either of