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“Lovely. You’re glowing. Is it with love, or do you have other news to share?” He cocked a brow.
“No. At least, not yet.”
We had an appointment with a doctor today for a physical that included a pregnancy test. I had late periods before and spotted when I was on the pill. Paul and I only had hope that we would have a child soon. That was yet another event to plan.
“Yes, I’ll do your wedding dress. You didn’t ask, but I know you want me to.” Tomas interrupted my musings.
I let out a happy yelp and gave him a bear hug. “Oh, my God, yes I do, but I was afraid to ask with all you have to do.”
Tomas never seemed to have a moment where he wasn’t working on something, and he still managed to check in with his team. He was the kind of boss I’d aspire to become one day.
“Tu es mignon,” Tomas said, and grinned, when I repeated the words in English, “You think I’m cute?”
“You are. And my offer comes with a condition. You finish the work on the knit collection.”
“Collection?” I squealed.
He nodded. “Come, see what I’ve done.” He presented new sketches, and I was floored. My designs grew into jackets, dresses, and hats. “Some are your designs, and I’ve also been inspired to add in more of our brand to blend in. What do you think?”
I danced in place. “I think I love it.”
Tomas was at the top of his game, a visionary in fashion, an expert tailor, and overall perfectionist. He left me in awe every day, and I was honored to work with him. His confidence in me had grown my skill. “Merci.”
“Bien. Because I want you to do more knits. And well, I also want you to work on some couture. We will be moving to awards season, and our A-list clients will need more options.”
I pressed my hands to my chest. “Moi?”
“Why not? I was serious when I offered to let you stay. Your dad’s better. You work well with the team and take direction. You need to work on your French, but if you’re here, you’ll become fluent in no time. All approval still goes through me. Not all the designs will be used, and I will change them at will. It’s a step into the deep, but you can do more here than in your school. Or are you returning?”
I hunched my shoulders. “I’m not returning this year.”
I hated that I disappointed Professor Elan. However, there were still students who were from the boat party there. With the trials ahead, Paul and I decided it would be safer to wait until after the criminal cases were closed and things had calmed down with the press.
“Then there’s nothing holding you back but you.”
“Tomas, can you look at this?” Josephine came over and took him away to another project. I returned to my workstation, set my portfolio down, and turned my computer on. I was fairly sure I was working on muscle memory, though. “There’s nothing holding you back.” Twelve months ago, I never would have thought this would be my life. So incredible.
Wyatt appeared with Hayden, who I hadn’t seen since Monaco. He rushed over to me and gave me a big hug and kisses on each cheek. “Mes sincères félicitations.”
“Merci.” I beamed at him.
“We talk later?” he raised his brows.
I nodded and he took his seat across from me and went about his own setup. They were both dressed in all black, the uniform around here. Hayden showed way too much chest, but that was him. He stopped at my workstation. “Meilleurs vœux à vous deux, best wishes to the both of you.”
“Merci.”
Hayden leaned over my ear and whispered, “Paul’s a lucky man. You’re the kind of woman you don’t let go.”
A small smile formed on my lips. “Merci beaucoup,” I murmured.
Hayden may have had our relationship wrong, but he’d been right about how much I needed Paul. His interference, though unwanted, brought me and Paul closer together, and I know there wasn’t anything I needed to ever hold back from Paul. He truly cared.
Hayden strolled away, joining Tomas at a workstation. “Can I show you what I’m thinking for the Milan fashion show for next spring?” I gathered what he said from what French I now understood.
Tomas returned and handed Wyatt and me a long list of fabrics and materials to make the design sketches they assigned to us. We gave some of the errands over to the new interns. We both laughed together.
“I like not being the brand new interns.”
