AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not really, but I told her most of it.”Baby steps.
“But she took it…I never understood why you didn’t come to me when you arrived at college. I waited for you to reach out.”
Xander always held himself in high esteem, so it was no surprise he expected me to rush to him when I arrived.
“I didn’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I don’t. I’m here, just like your mom and dad. With or without money, you have a home.”
And as long as I can help, they would, too.
The weekend had finally come, and I couldn’t control my excitement at seeing Paul now that he was back in New York City.
I had seven hours to wait before we left for Paris, France. My parents and I had driven to Niagara Falls from Cudahy several times, but that was the farthest I’d ever been.
Paris was a romantic place, and a part of me dreamed of getting swept away. Paul left most of the week open, except for his musical collaboration with the iconic pop star Linux, and a birthday party to attend for the famous director, Vitus Dupont. Still, he wanted me there. The delight in my chest at spending time with him hadn’t disappeared.
Researching online about kept women, I learned never to assume they’d invite you to everything. I’d have to bring things to fill my time to avoid heartbreak and boredom. Therefore, I’d stopped to pick up extra sketchpads for the trip…and apparently,so did everyone else in school. It was a madhouse, and I barely made it to the exit forty minutes later.
Sophie was pushing the other side of the door to walk in. Her face went from a scowl to surprise. “You look better. I almost didn’t recognize you,” she said, following me outside.
I almost didn’t recognizeher. She was the best dressed, as always, in a piped-tailored leather suit. But her hair changed from red to platinum blonde.
I shifted my canvas bag on my shoulder. “You look amazing. Now, I’ve no time—”
“You’re still upset with me?” She pressed her hand to her chest to fake indignance. “I’msorry. I’m not taking oxy or seeing Trevor anymore.” Her eyelids lowered. “I’m with Landon Styles now. He’s a newly rich entrepreneur who likes to show off his money. I’m leaving the dorms too, but not to the Hudson.” Her gaze flicked back to me.
I frowned. “How do you know where I’m staying?”
She dug into her designer bag for her iPhone and pulled up a screen of Page Six. “Never wear gym clothes outside again.”
She showed me a picture of me chatting with Michel Renault, the celebrity chef who had returned to the Hudson. After Xander’s visit and my updated wardrobe, I blended in better and was comfortable enough to speak to him. He told me about his son, Tomas, who works as a designer for the House of Givenchy in Paris. The article didn’t mention who I was; rather, it was about Michel being back in town for a new cooking show. I hadn’t realized the tracksuit I went jogging in looked bad. But wow, my face and skin glowed. I looked great.
I handed back her phone. “Thanks for the tip. I have to go.” I walked on.
“Where are you headed?” She fell in step next to me.
Without stopping, I answered, “Paris.”
“If you’re traveling abroad, get your clothes here before leaving. Your hips are too wide for Parisian fashion, and you don’t want the shopkeepers tearing you apart on your first holiday together. Make him buy jewelry, lingerie, bags, makeup, perfume, and shoes. Hire a stylist to do your hair and makeup, and for God’s sake,don’tgo outside without looking amazing. Paparazzi often photograph Paul Crane, and you don’t want to become an ugly meme. No excessive eye makeup, as it photographs poorly. Keep up with your facials. I mean…wow, your skin looks amazing. I’m envious. Who is doing yours?”
“The Peninsula.”
“I’ll switch there. Now, stop hating me. I’m not being rude. This is New York City. You work in fashion, where cattiness reigns, so you need to get a thicker skin.”
I stopped and glared at her. Did I need to get a thicker skin? Perhaps. But my mom had always taught me to speak to people candidly, and it was time I showed Sophie that. “You think insulting me is helping me? If I asked for your advice, then I’d take it. You barely acknowledged me when you were jet-setting across the world with Trevor. I had to tolerate you before, but I don’t have to now. How is that for frankness?”
I hadn’t wanted to be mean to Sophie. She’d never included me unless she planned something in our room, told me I’d stretch her clothes, locked me out of our shared space, and gave me the scraps of her takeout to eat. Of course, I would have been a sugar baby, too, and I would never put her down for that, but she wasn’t arealfriend.
She pulled her hair over her right shoulder and bobbed her head. “Okay, I deserved that. But these situations are temporary, so don’t burn bridges. Nadia, I’m sorry for being a bitch to you.”
“That’s a start.” I waved at her before getting into the open Mercedes Benz held for me. My heart sank when I saw Paul wasn’t there.
“He’s meeting you at the Hudson.”
I nodded and stifled my disappointment. Paul had told me he wouldn’t come to the school. Did he know about the paparazzi photo at the Hudson?
My hand was on the send button with a text telling him about it, but then I stopped myself.Paul probably knows, and I shouldn’t make a big deal about everything.
