Taylor asks thoughtful questions—about the challenges of launching a business, about Sophie’s design process, about how we grew such a loyal fan base in Hollywood and on Instagram so quickly. I tell her my favorite story, about how Meghan Markle happened to wear one of our necklaces a month after we launched. Like many politicians and royal figures, she uses fashion as a tool for diplomacy; whenever she and Prince Harry travel, she wears designers local to that country. A Brooklyn Jewels necklace sat atop a Calvin Klein dress and a Michael Kors coat. The minute our brand was identified and named by fashion reporters around the globe, our business skyrocketed to success. Life hasn’t been the same since.

“So, your fiancé. What’s his name?” Taylor asks.

She drops the question so smoothly into the conversation that I would’ve blurted out a name if there was one.

“Oh, he . . . I . . .” I falter. I give her a tight-lipped smile. “He’s a very private person. I’d prefer to keep his name out of this.”

“That’s interesting. You don’t seem like a private person,” she observes, checking her notes, “. . . sharing your life with one hundred thousand followers on Instagram.”

“I love connecting with Brooklyn Jewels’s customers and fans there, and sure, part of that means sharing pieces of my life,” I say as calmly as I can. “I share as much as I’m comfortable with.”

“But why not share your fiancé’s name?” Taylor presses.

I sip my coffee to stall. “He has his reasons to stay out of the spotlight. He may make a more public debut when he feels comfortable, in his own time.” My next move is important. I have to steer the conversation in the right way. “What matters is that I’ve met a wonderful guy, we’re very happy, and seriously, would you look at this ring? I mean, he did well. I’d love to tell you more about it. . . .”

Taylor listens as I explain that I’m wearing a Brooklyn Jewels original that was handcrafted by Sophie using stones from an Israeli diamond dealer who comes to New York once a season with gems hidden in every pocket and strapped up both legs. I note that the ring exemplifies two of our customers’ favorite styles, the three-stone setting and the classic round-cut diamond. I add that we also stock less expensive versions of this ring for the bride on a budget. I pivot Taylor toward what I want her to write about: my work, not my life.

When the interview is over, Taylor walks me to the lobby. I have one last card to play to ensure she writes the story I hope she’ll write. I pull a small black velvet pouch from my purse.

“I brought a little something for you,” I say, handing it to her.