AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Curiosity furrowed her brows, and I clamped my mouth shut.Shit. I’d been aiming for small talk and instead landed near shit talk.
“He’s what?”
“Just such a serious genius,” I blurted, adding a small laugh that I hoped didn’t sound forced, or insane, or both. “He left so quickly, I didn’t get a chance to see what he’s like away from the office.” God, I hoped I sounded even remotely normal and not like a lovesick ex-teenager who’d been in unrequited love with that man for something like fifteen years. “You know, when we’re here, it’s all work.”
Cora nodded sympathetically. “That’s true. He haunts this office like a ghost sometimes.”
“But it’s fine. He’s such an amazing genius, he doesn’t need to waste time chatting or hanging out with me after all these years, you know?” I was just rambling now, desperate to make her understand how much I wasn’t complaining about my literal boss. “Besides, I’m sure he’s got his hands full between the business and all his philanthropic work and the investigation, not to mention his girlfriend…”
The curiosity on her face etched deeper. “Girlfriend?”
“Yeah, that brunette that was visiting him the day I interviewed,” I said. “I didn’t catch her name but, you know, they’re together.”
Her brows lifted and she nodded, looking toward the conference room door. “Wow. That’s a new one. I don’t think I’ve ever known him to actually put a label on things with anyone.”
The further I dug this hole, the harder it would be to scramble out. I needed to shut up. But I needed to be graceful, too.
“Well, it just seems like he’s been so stressed since I started.”
Cora heaved a sigh, nodding gravely. “That’s definitely an effect of the investigation.”
Francis had done an excellent job of filling me in on every sordid detail about the SEC investigation, and it was no wonder Damian was stressed. “I just want to do something to pick up his spirits, get him to loosen up a little bit. Do you have any suggestions?”
She tilted her head back and forth as she thought. “That is a sweet question. I wish I had a better answer for you. Honestly, I think what Damian would like most is a bottle of whiskey and being left alone in his room.”
I laughed, even though the last thing I wanted to do was leave him alone. I just didn’t know how to get him to want to be withme.
And I wasn’t supposed to be trying. So that ended that.
“Still the same as when he was a teen,” I said. “Except for the whiskey.”
Cora laughed, her gaze dancing over my dress again. “You know, this dress reminds me. I really loved the one you wore on Friday. I’d be interested in one like that myself, honestly. Do you ever take custom orders?”
My mouth parted, unsure if I wanted to focus on my excitement or gratitude first. So in lieu of either, nothing at all came out except for one tiny squeak.
Cora laughed. “Was that a yes?”
“I’ve never been asked for custom orders before,” I forced out. Actually, that was a lie. My high school bestie, Joni, had asked for a custom order once, but that was before I knew what the hell I was doing, and she loved me enough to wear the tank top I’d made her even though it came out looking like a trash bag.
“Well, I’d be happy to be your first client,” she said sweetly. And she meant it—I could tell. Cora was the type of woman I’d only seen in magazines and on TV. That type of classically gorgeous, prim and proper beauty. But up close, she was magnetic. Warm and personable, the most beautiful acquaintance I’d probably ever have in my life.
Getting my designs on a woman like her would be a dream come true.
“I have so many designs, too,” I said. “Notebooks and notebooks of them. I’ve only made a few come to life so far, but I could probably give you a different dress of the week for the rest of your life if they all became real.”
Cora’s eyes lit up, and she grabbed my wrist. “Can I see them?”
“My notebooks?” The squeak was back.
“Yes. I’d love to see your design process. You’ve got some real talent, Jessa. It’s obvious to anyone with a set of eyes.”
My throat tightened and I looked away. Talent didn’t mean much in my family. But Cora’s encouragement was sorely needed, a cool gulp of water after wandering the desert that had been my home life the past decade or so.
Still, I was scared to believe it. I might have found the courage to pursue my certification, but that didn’t mean I’d make something of it. It just meant I had the bravery to start something. Starting had nothing to do with finishing, or even succeeding.
But maybe starting had to be enough for now. I could figure out the rest later.
“Well, I suppose I could show you…” My words turned into mumbles.
