AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m semi-aware. But I’m flexible. I can do most of the planning. I’m not doing anything anyway.” I stopped myself from letting too much slip. “I mean, my team is aware I’m needed here. I’ve been working remotely, and I can pretty much set my hours.” I lied through my teeth, and the way Ophelia’s eyebrows furrowed and her eyes narrowed told me she knew something was different.
She raised one eyebrow, sat up straight, and looked me up and down before finally setting her gaze on my eyes. “Either way.” She finally sighed. “We’ll make it work. I’ll need your phone number so we can communicate with each other, not through Milo and Madeline. It would be nice to just—”
“Start over?” I suggested again.
She gave me a slight nod. “Start over,” she whispered.
“In that case.” I inhaled and stood from the bench, removing my hand from my pocket and holding it out in front of her. “It’s good to see you, Ophelia.”
Ophelia looked at my hand, pursing her lips before she reluctantly took it in hers. The spark was still there, and lightning flew through my arm. I finally exhaled, letting the breath go, taking all the sparks with it.
“It’s good to see you too, Clay.”
Chapter Ten
-Ophelia-
Every piece of fabric was laid out in front of me. The scissors were gently placed on the lace, and the measuring tape hung around my neck. A pencil was stuck behind my ears, and a cushion of over a hundred pins was ready to go. I was in full work mode. I had Madeline’s measurements, the design pinned up on the wall, and the relaxing voice of Ben Rector playing in the background. The only thing that was off? My outfit.
Normally, I wore comfy pants and a t-shirt, and my hair would be in a poofy bun on top of my head. But today, Carter had me in a white blouse with a black, loose-fitting vest and slacks. My hair was down and perfectly styled, attempting to be straighter than it normally was. Professional. I even had makeup on. All for show.
Having this much focus on me made it hard to concentrate. The lighting had to be perfect for Carter, and if a single strand of hair fell in my face, Carter would stop me and gently place it back to where it was.
I kept telling myself this was going to be my life now. At least for the next three months.
Carter had shown me one of the first posts, Madeline and I gushing over the drawings and her picking out the design. Thankfully, he had used my caption instead of writing one himself:A magical moment helping the wonderful bride pick out her gown. Nothing beats that smile.The post had over five hundred likes so far, and my new Instagram handle was climbing—new followers every day. This was happening. It was really happening.
Carter had taken more up-close photos of the fabrics and some of me, posing me just so, and once he took the SD card out of his camera, I knew I was free. I grabbed a hair tie and yanked my hair into a ponytail. It was longer when it was straightened, and the pony hit my shoulders, but finally, I could get into my work and start Madeline’s gown.
Carter hung around back, and the light tapping on his keyboard was honestly very relaxing. The next thing I knew, I had every piece cut to the measurements and ready to hang on the mannequin. I had just pinned on the first layer of the skirt when I heard the studio door open. I wasn’t expecting anyone. I stuck a pin in between my lips and looked up.
“Hey, Madeline told me I could find you here.” Clay walked toward me with two paper coffee cups in his hands. “I hope you don't mind me dropping by. I thought we could talk about the party as you worked.” He held out his arm, handing me a cup.
It had been a few days since the dinner, and I had tried to keep myself occupied enough that I wouldn't have to text him to begin the party planning, but in reality, he was right. The planning had to start soon. I kept the pin between my lips, which was helping me from dropping my jaw in shock. I looked at him and then down to the coffee.
“It’s an Americano.” He gave me a cheeky grin. He remembered my favorite coffee?
I removed the pin and licked my lips, taking the cup from him, our fingers gently touching. “Thanks,” I said softly, taking my first sip of the coffee. “Oh. . .yeah, I needed this,” I hummed, turning back to the table with the fabric.
“So, you're making a custom dress for Maddy?” Clay asked, coming up to my side, looking at the lace on the table. “Ivory?”
“She didn’t want white, and yes, this will be one hundred percent custom made and her gown only.” I instantly turned my head and shot him a glare. His eyes went from the lace to me, his eyebrows raised. “Milo thinks I’m helping her pick out a dress and doing alterations, not creating a dress from my own design, so don’t youdaretell him anything.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “My lips are sealed.”
“They better be, or next, we will be planning your funeral,” I muttered, taking another sip of my drink.
“Noted. Did she choose the design?” he asked, his eyes trailing to all the fabrics on the table.
“Of course, she did. I gave her a few options, and she picked the one she loved the most. Milo is going to faint when she walks down the aisle.”
Clay chuckled, walking around the table to look at the drawing on the wall.
“Really, please don't tell Milo.” I couldn't stress that enough.
Clay turned back to me. “You can trust me. I won’t tell him anything. I get keeping the dress from him, but I’m curious as to why we’re keeping the fact that you're the designer from him though. Shouldn’t he know that?”
“Madeline wants to surprise him. She told him I was too busy with my next seasonal line, which isn’t far off from the truth, but do you really think I’d let my best friend get married without me designing her dress?”
