Chapter 9
Lauren
“I’m telling you,boss. I’ve seen him somewhere on TV. Or something.” André pushes his shoulder against my office door, holding it open while I mosey on in, then he stalks right behind me, practically on the back of myheels.
He’s been chattin’ my ears off since the two of us set foot onto the elevator back up to the second floor where HC offices arelocated.
“No, hun.” I rest my hand on my hip. “Believe me, I already Googled him this morning because he looked kinda familiar to me too.” I grab hold of my purse, sweater, and the folders of designers he put together for me. “He’s just a driver, André. There’s nothin on the internet about Jack. Not even a single social media profile so”—I pat him on his shoulder—“give it a rest,okay?”
André rolls his eyes, reminding me the one thing I admire about him is also the one thing that irks me abouthim.
Histenacity.
“Come on, boss, look athim. Does he look like a plain oldJackto you? He’s like sex on a stick, hot,” he whines, following me as I exit myoffice.
Sex on a stick, hot?To me, the guy is irritating. Like a fly at a familypicnic.
Plus, it’s hard to see the whole shebang when it’s masked by dark sunglasses and ahat.
What’s he hiding behind those glassesanyway?
“Well, he’s just plain old Jack the driver to me,” I say, pressing the elevator call button. “I’ve got enough to focus on André and quite frankly, so do you,” I scold, eyebrows raised, an indirect reminder we all must do our part to get this publishingdeal.
His shoulders and his head sink briefly, then raise back up, before he mumbles, “Yes, boss. You’re absolutelyright.”
The elevator doors crawl open and I back into it, my eyes still on André. “Perfect. We have lots to accomplish over the next week. I know it’s still early, but I’m heading out now. I’ll peruse these designer options athome.”
André waves goodbye as the elevator doors ease to a close. “Have a great evening,boss.”
Jack isquiet during the drive back toChateau Grenelle, which suits me fine because I can use the quiet time to unwind. And since he drives like he’s racing a herd of turtles, it seems I’ll have all the time I need tounwind.
It’s raining outside now and Paris rain is like noother.
Magical.Intoxicating.
I’ve had dreams of romantic strolls along the narrow streets, walking arm in arm, kissing just as the rain begins tofall.
But not all dreams come to life. Not the romantic onesanyway.
I’m learning that the hardway.
And while I try to just brush it off, tell people, including Arabella, I’m fine being married to my work, it’s a flat-outlie.
The ugly truth is, I’m a lonely woman living with this sort of hole in herheart.
A hole that gets patched up only temporarily, with me always hoping, praying the adhesivesticks.
Breaking news: patches aren’tforever.
The sun is setting now and the streets glisten with charisma, the drops of rain tap-dancing on thepavement.
When I first visited Paris, I knew it was where I wanted to be. It’s where Hot MessCouture sprouted intoHaute Couture.Mama said I’d never make it here on my own when I went back home and declared I was packin’ up and movin’ to France. She scoffed and said I should stay put in Savannah and pitch my clothing line to JCPenny. While Daddy, well, my daddy has always been Team Lauren. He helped me get settled, putting a down payment on my apartment atChateau De Grenellewhen he found the place via a realtor buddy.My baby needs to live as if she’s going to conquer the fashion worldis what he said, showing then he had confidence in me, bigger than the whole state of Texas. I lived on revenue generated by Hot Mess, which was doing well as a brand despite the name. Then the beautiful people of Paris inspired the birth ofHaute Couture.Parisisfashion and, my-oh-my, do the women here get it right. And it’s not really what they wear, but more ofhowthey wear it—not witharrogance.
With fearlessconfidence.
Bravado.Swag.
Paris isn’t a Hot Mess. It’s high-fashion decadence. It’sHaute Couture. I spent weeks at the drawing board, sketching new designs reflective of my newfound epiphany. Designs that screamed high fashion, for women and men. All shapes andsizes.
