I’d never get over this morning.
Chapter Fifty-one
NINA
Present Day
ITALY
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Inaya’s voice rang out as I briskly walked into the boutique, three hours late.
“I was… busy,” I muttered, hurriedly taking a seat. “What did I miss?”
“Busy? Busy doing what?”
Ronan.
“Working,” I lied, avoiding her gaze.
“And by any chance was your ‘work’ company a certain Italian doctor?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
I laughed at her persistence. “Cannot confirm or deny.”
“There it is,” she remarked, her tone triumphant.
“There what is?” I asked, popping a cherry into my mouth.
“That look on your face. I haven’t seen it in forever.”
“What look?”
“That happiness. You look happy,” she observed, a soft smile playing on her lips.
I smiled and settled into my chair, feeling the warmth of her words. “I am happy.”
As the moment lingered, the soft chime of my office door announced Francesca’s arrival. She entered with her usual poise, carrying a stack of design samples.
“Good morning,” Francesca greeted, her voice carrying a professional warmth. “Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got some updates to go over.”
Inaya raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “We just started, don’t worry.”
Francesca placed the samples on the desk and slid into the chair beside Inaya. “I’ve reviewed the latest designs and collected feedback from the clients. We need to finalize the selections for the upcoming showcase.”
Inaya nodded, flipping through a few of the designs with a critical eye. “What’s the consensus? Anything we should reconsider?”
Francesca scanned her notes. “Most clients are excited about the bold colors and innovative patterns, but there’s been some pushback on a couple of the more unconventional pieces. It might be worth revisiting them.”
I leaned forward, her gaze fixed on the samples. “Which pieces are causing the most concern?”
Francesca handed over a few sketches. “These three. They’re a bit too avant-garde for the current market. We might need to adjust them to balance the collection.”
Inaya’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. “Or maybe wepush the envelope a bit further and create a buzz?”
Francesca chuckled. “You always have to be the daring one, Aya. But, given our goals, it might be wise to strike a balance.”
I tapped a finger on the desk, contemplating the feedback. “Let’s find a middle ground. Keep the essence of the bold designs but make them more accessible.”
Francesca and Inaya nodded in agreement, diving into a discussion about adjustments and refinements. We debated fabric choices, color palettes, and the strategic placement of the more daring pieces in the collection.
