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I wrinkled my nose. “Actually, Paul had nothing to do with Givenchy.”
Her brows disappeared under her bangs. “Oh, I didn’t know that. Well, good for you.”
I pursed my lips. “Thank you. I’ll be on my way now.”
“Wait, Nadia. We’ve gotten off on the wrong footing. I’m not a bad person. Honestly, I think you are beautiful and talented and have an amazing future ahead of you. It’s not that I don’t like Paul with you, but he’s got a lot of responsibility on his plate. Thousands of employees all over the world count on him and his reputation. He has history, legacy, government, and even royals in his attendance. It overwhelmed Aubrey, and I fear it would be too much for you to endure. Honestly, it takes someone with a similar upbringing to handle it all. And I speak from experience.”
So I’m great, just not good enough for your son.
“May I leave now?” I asked in a polite tone.
Dani moved out of the way, and I climbed into the backseat and slammed the door. His mother knew about the Givenchy internship and my best of the year. While I thought my accomplishments made me something, she reduced me to nothing in just a minute with her. Just like Gunnar had said, she’ll never accept me. I was too tainted for his celebrity, but I was good enough to fool around, not to keep.Paul’s having fun, so thank you.
I choked back tears.
Buzz. I glanced at my phone. Paul.
“Hi, Nadia. We’re going to the opera tonight with my mom and my stepfather Alan. It’s Bizet’sCarmen. We’ll start with dinner at Gracie Mansion.”Just dinner with the Mayor at Gracie Mansion. No problem.
My head pounded.So his mom came to see me first to put me in my place?
“Sorry. I have work to do for school tonight.”
A shooting pain low on my stomach had me doubling over. I hadn’t told Paul about the petition, threats, or damage to the dress. And apparently, his mom hadn’t told him either.
“Nadia, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just really tired. Maybe you can come over after the show? I gotta go—”
“Nadia—”
“Please, Paul. I’ll go next time. I promise.”
“Okay,” he said in a reluctant tone.
I hung up the phone and sniffled.
“Are you okay, Nadia?” Ben called back.
“Yes.”No.
My stomach knotted.Chime.
It wasa text from Sophie.
Sophie: I heard about your dress. It’s not someone working against you. I’ve heard from several students that it had fallen off the stand, and the cleaning crew must have emptied it into the trash.
The dress was on a platform, along with the other winners.Bullshit. Your comment comes ten days too late, Sophie.
Sophie: Anyway, since you never got back to me about Nantucket, how about we hang out after Textile on Friday?
Sophie kept trying to be friends. But I didn’t like how dismissive she’d been about the damage to my dress.
Nadia: I’ve got a lot going on. I’ll try for lunch, but I might have to cancel.
My noncommittal message left me an out if I needed to use it.
Sophie: Great!
