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My stomach knotted. It was obvious something was said on the call. “Can you tell me why?”
“Titan’s producer changed the head photographer to Toto Reeves, and he’s a pompous ass, but I believe you could deal with him. It was something else Josephine shared.” His brow knitted. “Hayden demanded you be removed from the shoot. He’s requested Ellie to come instead, and she’s already with Josephine. I just don’t understand the last-minute change. Did something happen between you two?”
I dropped my shoulders and told Tomas what had happened the night we had gone to Hayden’s place after the club. I suddenly felt so ashamed. Tomas knew what my feelings were for Paul, and I desperately hoped he knew I didn’t lead Hayden on.
Tomas scratched the hair on his chin. “Unlikely. Keeping you off the shoot because of a kiss would be ridiculous for him. But I’m going to see what I can do.” He picked up his phone and made a call. He spoke in French, his voice even and calmer than before switching to English. “Oui, I insist. Nadia can handle herself. We don’t remove opportunities. So? I’ll take responsibility. She’ll be there. Au revoir.”
He lifted his chin. “There’s concern about your inexperience, but Ellie doesn’t have much either. The photo shoot won’t be easy, but you must learn to handle difficult ones. This is too good of an opportunity to be sidelined. However, you can change your mind.”
My jaw tightened. I refused to go back to being a victim. I was stronger than that. This was too good an opportunity to give up. My parents didn’t raise me to be a quitter. “I’m going. I will prove to him and everyone else I deserved to be there.”
Tomas beamed at me. “That’s right. Be a dragon and go into the fire. You will rise from the ashes like a phoenix.” He kissed my cheeks. “Au revoir.”
“Au revoir.” I left for the house, and on the way, I called my mom.
“Hey, Nadia. How are you?” Dad said on answering.
“I’m fine, Dad, but why are you answering Mom’s phone?”
“It seems all this running around has finally caught up to her. She accidentally took my phone instead of hers. I figured I’d get the best calls.”
“Does she know? Where did she go?”
“I called her to let her know. It was hard enough to get her out the door. She’s with Mandy at Summerfest.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I finally convinced her to go and have fun, and it’s not far since we now live in a house on Lake Drive. It’s temporary until we get more help with our house, and this has a gate, so it’s secure.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. You and Mom keep having to alter your lives.”
“It hasn’t been that much of a hardship, Princess. I received first-class health treatments, Mom and I got a real vacation, and I crossed seeing The Space Center off my bucket list. Though your uncle Jan’s calling me a snob now. I told him he could be my handyman.”
“Dad,” I drawled out in mock admonishment. We laughed.
“He told me I couldn’t afford him, anyway.”
“You’re making jokes, but how are you feeling?” My tone turned serious.
“I’m fine. Every minute of the day, people are asking me. You should know by now that everyone would know if I wasn’t all right.”
“That’s true,” I agreed.
“So, how’s Paris?”
“I’ve been in so many design meetings. I’ve seen the latest collections. I’m overwhelmed with all the constant inspiration. But that’s not all. Something amazing happened today. I haven’t been able to process it fully, but….”
“Don’t keep me in the dark.”
“Tomas is using one of my knit dress designs for a limited edition in maybe the spring.”
“Oh, my Lord. Your mom’s going to lose her head. I won’t be able to bring her back to Earth. Gosh, Nadia. We can’t be prouder.” Dad choked up and my eyes watered.
“I can’t…believe it. It’s too much. I keep asking myself why me? I still can’t believe my dress was chosen by Professor Elan or Tomas choosing me for Givenchy and selecting something I created.”
“You’re a natural. You soak up anything thrown at you, and if you don’t know it, you work hard until you do. I’m amazed at you, kid; you never give up.”
Hearing Dad’s encouragement reminded me of what I had to do with Monaco. This was the chance of a lifetime, and I wasn’t going to pass it up, even if things may not go well.
