I realized as I went inside that I still didn’t know her name. Giving myself a little shake, I made a mental note to at leastintroducemyself next time.
The shoot itself demanded my full attention, and I gave it gladly. I moved through the space with ease now, setting up where I was needed, anticipating adjustments before they were asked for. René watched from a distance, said nothing, and that silence felt earned instead of ominous.
At one point, as I packed up, he glanced at me and said, “You are learning to arrive already focused.” It might not have been praise, butdamnit was close.
By the time I made it home that evening, the light was fading and the building smelled faintly of bread and something simmering. The door on the first floor was open and Jules flashed me a grin.
“We went to get the bread and soup,” he said. “Come down when you’re ready to eat.”
“Sounds good. Just going to put my stuff up and change.” I lifted a wave to Quan who appeared behind Jules.
“Take your time,” he said, his grin as easy as Jules’. “David’s not here, he was going to stop at a patisserie.”
My mouth watered at the idea. “I’ll bring the wine down!” They’d insisted on the food, so I’d taken on the wine. I had a few bottles—some I’d purchased, others that had been gifts.
They waved me off and I smiled to myself as I climbed the stairs, feeling that same quiet sense of belonging settle in again.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It had a few times today, but I hadn’t checked. Told myself to wait until later when I could give them my full attention.
Whatever Dominic had said when he woke up would still be there in an hour. Or two. Or tomorrow. For now, I unlocked my door, set my bag down, and let the quiet welcome me back.
Balance, I was learning, wasn’t about standing still—it was about setting boundaries for yourself as much as for others. I locked the door and went to change. I was looking forward to tonight.
From Rachel’s Diary:
Soup and bread really do fix more than they should.
Alix found bowls that didn’t match. They were adorable. Jules had added mismatched glasses and tumblers—for ambience he said. I liked them too. Quan brought chopsticks for reasons no one questioned, particularly when he kept working one, twirling and fidgeting. Made me think of finger exercises. . David showed up late with pastries that smelled like sin and bad decisions. Yes, I ate three and stole a fourth for breakfast tomorrow.
I walk enough.
We ate sitting wherever we fit—stairs, the floor, the edge of the counter. Someone put music on low. Someone else brought up classes, Jules and David both had one today, my first wasn’t for another two days, but I did have a seminar the next. Alix’s start tomorrow and Quan said he has sessions all day tomorrow.
I laughed more than I expected to.
That surprised me.
My phone buzzed a few times while we were eating. Frankie, mostly—updates, jokes, something about rehearsal logistics that made no sense out of context. I didn’t check any of it. I still haven’t, I’ll answer her in the morning. I wanted to stay where I was for a little while longer.
After we all drifted back to our own places and I locked my door behind me, I finally listened to Dominic’s message.
He sent me a voice clip in response to mine. He sounded altogether too damn sexy in his. It wasn’t long. He told me he liked hearing my voice first thing in the morning. Said he wished he were here. Said he was proud of me.
It made my chest ache in that quiet, familiar way.
I miss him even more now. Not in a way that makes me want to run away or I guess run back to him—but he still fits into me somewhere. Even at a distance. Even if I’m not ready to give him what he wants.
Today felt full. In a good way. The best way.
I think that counts for something.
Chapter
Twelve
RACHEL
Iwas already heading for the door, keys in hand, camera bag slung over my shoulder, dressed and ready to take on the day. Rain demanded I make some concessions, so I’d added a jaunty little hat—practical, ridiculous, and somehow exactly right. Paris didn’t mind either way.
