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“I love you too, baby.”
Joy filled my heart. Paul’s promise was a start, but I needed him to see how much his leaving had hurt me. I didn’t deserve to live with a nagging fear and doubt. “These weeks without you have been horrible. Not knowing…doubting your love. Trying to figure out what, if any, future we had. Promise never to let me go.”
“I hear you, my love. I love you.” He kissed me hard, his hands moving like my lover, caressing, soothing, healing. And I was happy because, even with all that was to come, we had love.
The sound of the piano drifted up the stairs, and a warmth spread in my spirit. I stretched out on the bed and smelled the sheets. Paul’s aftershave. Paul was here, and it took all the strength I had to not go back down the stairs to hold him and never let go. He’d unburdened the pain he carried with Aubrey. He wanted a family. She wanted her career. Her untimely death ended their chance to find a way back to each other. Aubrey struggled, sure enough, and Paul was so certain I’d do the same. In his place, I could see why. Before Paul, my world was smaller, and what I thought I could do was limited. Then he showed me a bigger world. And today, I stood next to top designers at the top of their game, helping on a fashion show I would’ve lost my head over online. But would all that have to change if we stayed together?
My mind mulled over numerous scenarios as I showered. Paul was a public figure and private. I would have to live the same way. How could that work? What about the criminal and civil cases? Would I be safe? Isabelle found me easily. What if it was a man from the boat? A trickle of fear rose, and my pulse picked up. No. I have Laurence and Ben. And what kind of life would I have as a designer with security around me all the time? Would life return to normal? What was normal anymore? I don’t know. But for now, I have to prepare for the work party.
There was one person I knew I could confide in and get sound advice. I checked the time and called my mom. It was noon in Texas, and even so, she sounded drowsy when she answered. “Well, if it isn’t my super talented, Parisian daughter.”
I laughed. “Hey, Mom. How are you and Dad doing?”
“We’re fine. Everything is going good. We’re back in Wisconsin.”
“You are? Since when?”
“A few days ago. I’m sorry I didn’t update you.”
“Sorry, I haven’t called. I haven’t gotten used to the time difference, and I’ve been so busy. When I think I should call, it’s too late or too early.”
“It’s okay, honey. If anything happened, you would hear from us regardless of time.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“So tell me, how is Paris? What’s it like living there?” Her tone was upbeat.
I stared out the window at the beauty of the sun reflecting over the stone architecture. “It’s beautiful, exciting, busy. I think I’m in shock every day I’m here. The hardest part is the language. I have to think of what I say to be understood. It feels like work to talk to people.”
“I knew that would be hard. Vacations are fun, but living is always harder. Even in Texas it took some getting used to. They have a different social language.”
“Yeah, that too. I practice French, and I have an electronic translator to help me when it’s hard, but it doesn’t know everything. I have to ask for help all the time and it feels like a constant bother. Fast food doesn’t feel fast, people eat late, and they know so much about art, history, travel. I feel kind of dumb.” I left the window and sat on the edge of the bed.
“You’re being too hard on yourself. They asked you to come, they know it wouldn’t be easy. It’ll come. Be patient with yourself. How’s Givenchy?”
“Competitive. Intimidating. Incredible. The designers are on top of their game. I have to work harder to keep up.” I walked over to the closet and looked at my dresses, choosing a denim corset piece.
“Are they being nice to you? Are you making friends?”
“I’ve made one. His name is Wyatt and he’s an intern, but a few years older. He’s a more experienced designer and really kind. He helps me out a lot. Tomas is always looking out for me. They all try to be helpful. They also encourage me to go out and see more of Paris. And the more I do I spend. It’s getting expensive.”
“Eating out in Texas was pricy too. I went back to cooking.”
“Yeah, but dining out is part of being social here.”
“I’ll send you money—”
“No…No, Mom. I’m fine. Seriously. Paris being expensive is just like New York City. There’s always something exciting going on that you can’t miss out on. Oh, and today I was helping with a Givenchy fashion show.”
“Wow. How was it?”
“Nothing short of spectacular. I’ll send you pictures. The designer had me wear one of the dresses, and I was photographed.” My pulse picked up at the thought of the public exposure, but Mom let out an excited cheer.
“Oh, my goodness. My daughter is modeling in Paris, too.”
“Hardly, Mom; I was just sitting with Tomas and the designer, Hayden Madsen.”
“You’re downplaying it. I know you. You’d be jumping all over here like a firecracker if that happened a year ago. But I guess you live such a worldly life now that you’re not as affected. Paul whisked you away to exciting places. Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to mention him.”
