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“Seriously?” Xander said. “It is on my list, but I take it Paul turned the impromptu trip down?”
I hunched my shoulders. “Yep, and oh, Ingrid claims her dog has fleas, so she moved into his place with her dog after she got him treated.”
Xander rolled his eyes. “Sure, he does, but Paul’s not interested. He hasn’t given you any reason to think he would cheat on you, so let her keep embarrassing herself by chasing a man who doesn’t want her.”
I took a deep breath. “Good advice.”
“That’s what I do. Now, let me tell you about what Wyatt does with his tongue—”
“Wait.” I held up a palm for him to stop. “There’s no doubt he’s hot, but I have to work with him.”
Xander grinned. “He is, and that accent? Love it.” His expression turned dreamy. “I’m in the mood for a Paris romance.” He went into my closet and took down a jumpsuit. “You slept all day, and I get visitor’s perks. Bottom line, fuck Hayden. He doesn’t know shit. You know your heart. Paul’s a loving man that cares for you. That’s what’s real.”
I went over and hugged Xander. Even though I knew it to be true, there were times I needed the reminder. Still, Paul’s work always came first. Will his career always eclipse my feelings?
Xander had spent a great deal of his visit with Wyatt. I didn’t mind because Tomas had allowed me time to make the Kusama-inspired knit shift dress into something more in line with the brand. He was still considering it for a limited, ready-to-wear online spring addition. The web knitting muted the balls of yarn into something more upscale. I did the finishing press, then waited for him to come over. He studied it for an eternity. “I think we can use it.”
My jaw unhinged, and my eyes welled up. “Really? Oh. My. God. Are you sure?”
It had been my tenth try. All the free time I had, night and day, had been spent following Tomas’s direction in finishing the garment to his high expectation. I could only hope he’d be pleased, but to use it on a limited release was beyond anything I imagined.
“Yes, Nadia.” Tomas smiled. “The design fits what I envisioned. It has a playful, yet stylish finish. Very Rudi Gernreich. Congratulations.”
I covered my mouth to lessen the sound of my scream, but I couldn’t. My arms flew around Tomas’s neck and I squeezed him tight. “Oh, my God. This is a dream.”
A dream come true. I saw myself in my bedroom back at home looking at the fashion images from runways on my wall of Givenchy. How I held it as the highest in the world, and dreamed. Never had I believed I’d be standing here with the creative director telling me he wants something I worked on to be under the prestigious house’s brand. I shook with joy and Tomas squeezed my waist. “You’re going to make me cry, and I will never forgive you.” He kissed my cheeks. “Keep it up, Nadia.”
That was Tomas. He was always working directly with me, sharing his knowledge and pushing me to elevate my design. Professor Elan did the same in New York City, but college was so much different. The destruction of my designs, the catfights, and negativity. It bothered me that I’d have to leave Paris when I had just started to grow under Tomas’s tutelage. Could I stay? What would I do? The internship was only eight weeks.
“Can I call my parents?” I checked the time and deflated. Too early. Paul? I pressed his number, but it went into voicemail, and I didn’t leave a message. It would be better to share it with him in person. Hopefully in Monaco.
Tomas checked the time. “You should go home and prepare for the photo shoot.” My phone chimed and Tomas went to the next workstation. It was Xander.
Xander: Milan is going very well.
Nadia: I knew it would. I’m thrilled for you.
Xander had left a few days earlier and had already booked additional appointments in Italy for his company. I doubted he would return to college with his business expanding. Everything he wanted to do, he went for it.
Nadia: I have good news too. Tomas is using my Kusuma inspired dress for Givenchy online.
Xander: OMG!!!!!!!!!! Get out of town!!! That’s fucking fantastic!!! Are you losing it?
Nadia: I would, if I wasn’t at work. And I have to go to Monaco for Hayden’s shoot.
Xander: We will have it all. It’s fate. Enjoy Monaco. I’ll call you. Wyatt’s on his way.
Nadia: Still feeling romantic?
Xander: Damn right I am. He’s in for a special night. Contact you later.
Hayden’s photo shoot in Monaco for the Titan movie had finally arrived. I was due to meet the assistants at the airport in three hours. And hopefully, see Paul. He was working on the documentary. There had been more photos of him with Ingrid on location shoots. The pictures of them together had been enough to convince the press that I was old news, which was good since I could move more freely without as much concern. But I hoped that would change when I saw him.
I cleared my workstation and waved bye to Tomas outside of his office. He held up his hand for me to come in and grimaced. “Hello…Josephine. Oui…Toto? No. Nadia…?” He switched to French, and rapidly and in a sharp tone, I couldn’t follow. He slammed his phone down and cursed.
I frowned. “What’s wrong, Tomas?”
“Désole. Sorry, Nadia. Josephine believes you have to sit out of the Monaco shoot.”
