Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
He glanced in my direction, and I nodded in affirmation before he left to greet the celebrity guest in the green room and discuss wardrobe options. Tonight I would be dropping off the designs at his place per usual, though I wouldn’t be invited to stay. His boundaries had stayed firmly in place since the California trip.
I swallowed thickly as acid tried to sneak its way up my throat.
Fine by me. It gave me more time to do other things, like meet with the academic advisor to discuss career options. Public relations might actually become a viable thing and something to look forward to. I had even filled out a financial aid packet to help defray the cost.
Kendall lowered her voice. “Rowan met with Lorenzo last night?”
“Yeah. Maybe it didn’t go so well?”
“Or maybe he finally faced some things.” She grimaced. “For the record, I encouraged Rowan to make an effort to keep in touch after you leave.”
“I’m not sure that’s his style.” Or even what I wanted—or needed. Ripping off the Band-Aid seemed like the best option.
She clenched her jaw. “It’s so obvious what he feels for you.”
My mouth gaped open, and it took me entirely too long to respond. “What do you mean?”
“Honey, I’ve been around the block a few times. I know when two people are smitten with each other. And when you’re in the same room? Good Lord, we could cut the tension with a knife.”
“You mean the urge to kill each other?” I lobbed back.
“There’s a fine line between animosity and affection, and you two—whew! It’s like watching foreplay in action.”
I felt hot all over. “Is it that noticeable? I thought I was getting better—”
“At hiding it? Sweetie, your emotions are written all over your face. His…show in his moods. The broodier he becomes, the more he’s hurting inside.”
“That’s some consolation,” I scoffed. “I’m assuming he brushed off your suggestion?”
She nodded. “Underneath it all, I’m not sure he feels worthy enough of anyone. But that’s just my observation. And your leaving just drove that point home.”
That sat heavy in my gut. “He places his career and professionalism above all else. So moving on makes the most sense.”
“I’m sorry he’s so stubborn. But I have a feeling you’re just as stubborn. If you have something to get off your chest, I’d do it before you have any regrets.” She pulled me into a hug. “Take care of yourself. And call on me if you ever need anything.”
Anita came bustling by with interesting costumes for the network’s variety show, and we discussed the skit they’d be used for. Kendall had appeared on the show a number of times but seemed glad she wouldn’t be included in the ridiculousness.
“So…only one more week to go,” Anita said with a frown.
“Yep, and then I have a trip home.” My stomach tightened in anticipation. “It’ll do me good to get out of the city.”
“You better keep in touch on your next adventure.”
I smiled. “Of course I will.”
Naomi eyed me curiously as she sought Kendall out to discuss a schedule change. I hadn’t told anyone about our elevator conversation, even though I was way closer to Kendall than her. Besides, she could’ve just been blowing off steam with that kind of talk. I’d done the same for the better part of a year.
Still, as soon as Naomi left the room, I lowered my voice and said to Kendall, “That thing you said way back about having a funner work environment? Maybe you should take your own advice. Just a suggestion.”
Kendall stared hard at me before she said, “Noted.”
That night, with the designer clothing safely stored in the trunk of the car, I told the driver to head to Rowan’s apartment.
After greeting Thomas at the door and turning down his offer of retrieving a rolling rack, he said, “Head on up,” without even calling Rowan first, so he must’ve given Thomas the heads-up. Though, by now, the doorman was so used to our routine that he might not have needed it.
When I stepped off on his floor, I tripped on one of the wardrobe bags as I tried to adjust them in my arms and nearly smacked my head into the wall. No one would ever call me graceful. Thankfully, Rowan hadn’t witnessed it, though he’d probably be more concerned about the clothing than me.
I knocked on his door, but there was no answer. The bags were getting heavy, so I twisted the knob out of habit and was surprised to find it unlocked.
“Rowan?” I called, pushing into his apartment with my shoulder. When the door thudded closed behind me, I reconsidered my decision to barge in. But what did he expect when I was juggling an armload?
Spotting in his living room the other rolling rack he normally used, I pushed forward to take the load off, then sighed in relief once everything was hung up.