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“Can you believe he brought her to interrupt my session, Mickey?”
“Paul’s rebounding.”
“It’s been almost two years since his wife died. Is it still rebounding at this point? I mean,seriously? A design student with an Oscar winner? Make it make sense.”
“Oh, come on. Nadia’s a knockout, like a Bond girl. She’s got a crazy body and those cheekbones, violet eyes, and suck-my-dick lips. I went hard as fuck when I shook her hand. Hell, even Paul couldn’t keep his hands off her.”
“Gross, Mickey. Aubrey, I understood. At leastshehad talent.Paul’s brain must go numb having to look at her sketch pads and photos of a city he’s been to a hundred times.”
“I’d indulge in her little sketch pads to get in her thong.”
“Well, I’d play the sweet, clueless pet if it got Paul Crane to fuck me.”
“Linux, you’re insane.”
My face burned. I turned on my heels and didn’t stop walking until I was outside the building. Leaning against a wall, I sucked in air to refill my lungs. Sophie’s comment about having a thick skin came back to me, but to have someone I had admired insult me? Because I wasn’t a talented musician? That hurt. They were so cruel. And completely correct. I was his rebound. Hisplaything to fuck.Someone he simply bought because he could.I won’t bore him with my sketch pads and photos anymore, that was for sure.
“Mademoiselle?” Andre caught up to me. “Are we staying here?”
“Can you take me to the House of Givenchy?”
“Yes, but first, let’s go back inside and discuss it with Mr. Crane and Laurence—”
“Can’t you call Laurence in the car? Please, Andre? I really need to leave right now.”I blinked back tears.
He led me to a Mercedes, and I climbed inside. I took out my cell phone, and once we were away from the studio, I dialed Tomas.
“Do I still have an open invite? I have time available now.”
“Of course, please come over.”
“Mademoiselle Nadia,” Andre said as he drove. “I’m not going to be able to wait for you. I have to pick my wife up from work. Her car is in the shop. I thought you were staying with Mr. Crane this afternoon.”
“Sorry. I’ll make my way back from Givenchy to the apartment on my own.”
He reached toward the back with a business card. “This is a private taxi. Just call the number and someone will come for you or you can take the metro. It’s straightforward. I’ll write the address on the map.”
I placed the map in my canvas bag. “Merci.” I can make my way around New York City. I can handle riding the subway in Paris.
I texted Paul.
Nadia: I’m going to visit the House of Givenchy. Tomas agreed to a tour. You’re busy.I’ll see you later.
Paul: Why? Without a kiss goodbye? I’m happy you’re doing something you enjoy. We’ll talk about this later. But tell Tomas I’ll kill him if he touches you.
I guffawed. Paul didn’t even know Tomas and thought he wanted to have sex with me. Maybe that’s the only thing he thought made me worthwhile. That’s not true.Paul said he’s happy I’m doing something I enjoyed.He also wanted to know why I left. However, I wouldn’t tell him. He’d been pleased with the Linux collaboration, and my complaining would only make me appear like a child.
The ride took about twenty minutes in traffic. Andre escorted me to the door, and the receptionist called for Tomas. A thrill went down my spine as I walked into the House of Givenchy. I couldn’t believe I was inside the legendary fashion house. I had to remind myself that I was a Cudahy girl who knitted scarfs and ate too many cream puffs at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Tomas appeared so similar to Chef Renault that I didn’t have any trouble recognizing him. His blond hair didn’t have the streaks of gray like his father’s, but he was tall and thin with large brown eyes and a trimmed goatee. His three-piece suit was tailored, refined, and fit him well. He kissed both of my cheeks and hugged me in greeting. I said goodbye to Andre and followed Tomas down the hall.
“Now I understand why my papa calls you his girlfriend. Paul Crane threatened to make me disappear if I return you with even a hair out of place.”
I tensed. “Paul wouldn’t do that.”
He laughed. “No, but I understand his reluctance to let you out of his sight. I’d never permit you to see him.”
I was puzzled. “Why is that?”
