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“Why are we just standing outside her door?” Ashlooks anxious to see her.
“Because she’s an adult, and I give her privacy,” I say, but then knock harder. “Bernadette?”
“Screw privacy, she could be in trouble.” Emery pushes me aside and opens the door, which has a lock.
If she wanted to keep us out, she could.
“Bernie?” Ash slides his hand into mine as we enter behind Emery.
We haven’t seen each other either and his touch gives me strength.
But I also need Bernadette. We both do.
All three of us need her.
Emery goes still, and my heart jolts at what stops him in his tracks.
A tall, arched stand-up mirror in the corner is covered with...sketches.
We each move further into the room, and my jaw drops at the array of hand-drawn designs.
She’s been sketching.
“Oh my God.” Ash peels one off the mirror. “These are gorgeous. Where did she get...”
“She drew them.” Emery points to a tiered rolling cart filled with art supplies. “I took her shopping three weeks ago since that jerk stole everything from her.”
On the floor, dozens of pencils lay strewn about. On one of the shelves in the cart sits worn-down colored wax sticks. An empty spiral notebook in the trash suggests Bernie’s had a torrent of creativity.
“Hi.” Her sweet voice turns me around.
She stands there, her hair disheveled, looking like she’s been working for days without a break.
“Sugar, are you okay?” I didn’t pay a cent for her, but she lives with me. She’s my responsibility. “I’m sorry I’ve been working so much the last few days.” Ipull her toward me and kiss the top of a messy bun. “When’s the last time you showered, sugar?”
“I don’t know,” she says, laughing. “I’ve been busy.”
She squeezes me and moves to Ash and Emery who each open their arms for her.
They hug her together and drop a kiss on her lips one at a time.
“Sugar, you’re drawing?”
“Yeah.” She nods, tears in her gorgeous eyes and her voice brimming with excitement. “Aren’t they beautiful?” She runs her fingers across each one, spilling details that sound so magical off her lips, but it’s all jumbled words I don’t understand.
“You got out of your slump, baby.” Ash stands in front of the mirror, looking at each drawing like he’s in a museum gallery.
Emery stalks toward me with a look thatmirrorsmy thoughts.
Oh shit...
I take one of the sketches from Ash.
“Are these the same designs you lost?” I ask Bernie, sidling up to her.
“No. These are better. I took more chances. See these necklines and those details. These clothes will look great on—”
“Women here in New York,” Ash says and hugs her. “Let’s set up a meeting with Victoria.”
