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This seemed to confuse the journalist. He paused partway through, writing down the answer.
“You’re single?” he asked.
“Yes. Currently. Why? Is that a problem?” I let out a chuckle, but I worried that it sounded fake.
“No, not at all.” The journalist gulped and straightened his tie. “I was just under the impression that you weren’t. You and Lukas have been seen together so much that we?—”
“Lukas and I are not in a relationship, no. He has been a dream to work with and I have been honored to take care of the interiors of the wonderful buildings he has designed, but we are both professionals. I only hope I have done justice to his vision.”
“That’s not in doubt,” Stacy added, and smiled. I was grateful she wasn’t going to spill any beans I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to answer any more questions on what was going on with me and Lukas, but the journalist seemed to finally accept this answer and let us move on.
Not wanting to talk about Lukas anymore and pretty sure I had handled as much as I could for a short while, I made my way back to my group of friends and firmly stood in the middle of their huddle. If anyone wanted to talk to me now, they would have to get through my support group.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
Lukas
As I was allowed to walk away from the photos, Henry came with me to one side of the main buildings and I exhaled with relief. Until I noticed one of the journalists had followed Kit. Although they weren’t talking very loudly, I could hear as he asked her personal questions.
I knew the answers to some of them and was surprised they hadn’t done the research on her to know these answers themselves, but she fielded them with patience, a friend of some kind at her side.
“Want anything, boss?” Henry asked. “After directing everyone else to the food, I am feeling pretty hungry myself.”
“I’d happily take a plate. And a drink. Something stronger than the main fare. If you can get the bar staff to give it to you.”
“As long as people realize I’m with you, I can usually get you anything you want. It’s almost scary.” Henry grinned and hurried off into the building. It left me alone, but for a moment I didn’t mind. I was exhausted already and wanted time to listen and think.
To try and discourage others from coming up to me and talking right now, I pulled my phone out and checked mymessages. There weren’t any urgent ones, but I pulled open an email I had anyway so I could at least consider my reply to it while I continued to listen to Kit.
I knew I was torturing myself, but I also knew I would have given anything in this moment to let her know I was sorry. Sorry for everything that happened and sorry that she was hurting. I should have trusted her. She had rejected Peter just as she’d told me and not used me as a stepping stone to bigger things.
As the interview moved on to her relationship with me, I tensed up, expecting her to tell the journalist I was an idiot if nothing else. Instead she kept professional and polite, talking about my business in good terms, but she soon walked away.
I looked up from my phone to see her friends gathering around her and drawing her in, the journalist frowning as his interview was cut short. Before I could hurry away, the reporter noticed I hadn’t gone far and seized his chance with me as well.
“Can I ask you a couple more questions?” he asked, but I knew it wouldn’t matter what I replied. He would expect me to say yes and would ask them even if I didn’t want him to. Sarai’s request for me to play nice stuck in my mind.
“If you must, but you have until Henry returns with food. I’m in need of sustenance, just like anyone.”
“Of course, sir. Thank you. I wondered if you had anything to add to the rumors that you and Kit were dating. You’ve been seen together a lot and?—”
“They are nothing but rumors. She’s been a delight to work with and I hope we can remain friends or work together soon, but she knows her mind and what matters to her. I am in awe of her skills and grateful I had the chance to work with her.”
The journalist frowned and didn’t seem happy with my answer.
“She also said she’d work with you again if the chance arose. Would you invite her onto another project?”
I considered my answer carefully, the beginning of a possible idea forming in my mind. I didn’t want to utter it before I had been able to properly consider the options, but it was an interesting idea. “If the right project came along. I don’t always work on something like this where there’s a need for a lot of interior design. A big warehouse or a building like a library is very different. Her skills lie in making a house feel like a home while also being stylish and fashionable.”
“You’d say she has that home-like touch, then, sir?” The man made it sound as if it was an insult. Like it was something every woman did.
“I’d say she’s damn good at what she does and sees things other people don’t.” My words came out in a sort of a growl and the reporter raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry. I’m hungry and I’ve always found it makes me a little…agitated.” I tried to smile off my reaction. “Kit can do far more than the average housewife might. She sees beyond the ordinary. Has an instinct for style and what can be paired together. I know what to do with steel and brick and glass. Kit knows what to do with those and more. What to do with the subtle edges, color, and lighting.”
I knew I was waffling, very enthusiastic about her skills and not sure if what I was saying was actually making any sense.
“Thank you,” the reporter said, interrupting me and making sure I didn’t waffle anymore. It was exactly what I needed, and thankfully Henry reappeared at that point and gave me a plate and drink.
