AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I had been. Holding him even for those short hours had rejuvenated my spirit. Though we spend time away from each other before, it felt harder this time. However, he assured me he’d come back to see me in Paris soon.
We had finally reached the subway entrance when my phone buzzed with a message. Doctor Casey.
Nadia,
I read your journal entry, and I’m proud of you. You identified what was happening. You stopped and use the tools you had to bring you out of it. You also reflected on what triggered the feeling. There will be good days and bad ones. But it’s one day, not forever. You will get through it all.
I’m proud of you. Keep it up. You’ll not just be saying you’re fine, you will be.
Doctor Casey
Christina Ralls’ confrontation frightened me, and I knew it was only the beginning if the case went to trial. So far, no one else had tried yet, but then I didn’t go anywhere without Laurence or security most of the time. When I was alone, I texted Laurence my location.
I took a photo and sent it to him.
Laurence: The car is better.
I smiled and put my phone away. He’d given me more freedom since Paul had made it that he wanted me to do more things independently. I liked it, but I also enjoyed his company.
We got our tickets and waited on the platform. Soon, we packed on with the rest of the riders. It hadn’t taken long. We rushed up the stairs and down streets that I didn’t pay as much attention to since Wyatt knew where we were going. When we saw the stalls of markets, I took out my digital camera and placed it around my neck to take photos.
“Petite Hayden,” Wyatt teased.
I waved dismissively. “Hayden and Helmut create art. I’m being a tourist.”
I did look up Helmut. His polaroids were works of art that I admired. My digital camera gave more chances to correct mistakes.
“Not true. You create some interesting patterns. Philippe’s impressed.”
Was Wyatt giving me one of the Parisian social compliments or was his observance real? I wasn’t sure. Philippe gave me more work to do than most. I loved the constant instruction, but sometimes it felt as if I was having professors all the time.
“They all love your work, Wyatt.”
Wyatt shrugged. “It’s not all love. Anne? I don’t want to work with her.”
Anne breathed Givenchy. She expected sleek, symmetrical lines with absolute precision and was always complaining about Wyatt’s patch style.
Lucky for us, Tomas was our instructor this week. He’d given us a project to make a sample jacket that would fit in with Givenchy’s spring line he was directing. He’d up the stakes. The successful jacket would be included in a limited edition ready-to-wear online catalogue. Our chances were slim, but the more I tried, the more I learned. I love every minute of it.
The weekend brought not only the tourists, but everywhere was full of parents, children, and elderly shoppers. We joined the maze and moved through it, stopping to point at a few clothes, antiques, cards, and paintings. After two hours, it was almost a bust, until I saw a silk pinstripe fabric that I instantly loved. I bought it, but also planned to take it to a shop to see if I can find more. I checked my phone. There was a missed call from Xander. I’d made his photo of the two of us my screen saver.
Wyatt took my phone and looked at the photo. His jaw dropped.
I laughed. “C’est Xander.”
“Xander,” he repeated and grinned at the photo. He handed it back to me. “Go on and call.” He gestured that he’d be looking further into the stall with antique clocks across from where we stood. I called Xander back. “Allo, bonjour.”
“Well, listen to you sounding like a little French girl,” he answered.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
The sound of music, carts, and chatter had me covering the phone to wait for a group to walk by.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“I’m shopping with a new friend, Wyatt.”
“Good. I was afraid you weren’t going out…gurl, I saw you in the fashion show online.”
