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“Who was it who said, ‘A smart man changes his mind when circumstances change’? You had no choice, Mo.”

“For a long time, it looked like Evie and I had no choices. But I wouldn’t swap her for anyone.”

Cas nudged him. “Did you really spread gossip about Monique?”

For Cas, Monique remained a bad dream. She was no longer in his life. The lasting damage was his sense that he’d failed to live up to his father’s expectations.

“Evie was the demon. She knew who to talk to.”

“Thanks.”

“She did it as much for Maha as you. Your sister still calls and drops in. Evie adores her.”

“Maha has that effect on people.”

Mo studied his drink. “I let you down, Cas.”

“No, you didn’t.” Cas had had plenty of time to think about this. “You made the same choice I would have made in your situation.”

“You don’t think it was the final effect of that drip-feed we’d had since birth—‘You need a steady job and a steady income if you want to take a wife. You must have something to offer a woman.’”

“I can hear my dad and your dad now.”

“I love Evie. I did and do want to build a life with her. I did feel the pressure to make a steady income. I don’t regret my decision. I’m sorry you were collateral damage.”

“No biggie.” Cas had understood Mo’s decision and persisted with his own side of the partnership dream.

Cas had a fresh portfolio of designs. Ones he hadn’t shown to any of the businesses he’d worked with in the past. New designs to launch his business. Design was something he could do, given everything else was on hold. Although, with his father saying he’d have the money within weeks, Cas had restarted a few conversations. And he was feeling both excited and hopeful.

Beatriz makes me feel hopeful.

“About Beatriz. Different companies, but we tend to bump into each other at functions. We’ve been friendly competitors for at least five years.”

“And flatmates for ... ?” Mo wasn’t pushing.

“This is week two. We’re both bunking down in Anna’s flat while she and Hunt are on their honeymoon. That doesn’t explain why the capable Ms. Gomez met you at the Digital Print Show to discuss new opportunities.”

“She didn’t come to meet me. Husic Fabric Printing has a booth at the show. We’ve done well in recent years with digital printing. Got a cushion under the business. That’s really why Dad wanted me to become more involved. I understood tech better than him. Suzy’s totally obsessed.”

“Could she take over?”

“In a heartbeat.” Mo shrugged. “Recently, I’ve been mulling over some different ideas, but looking to fly below the radar until I’m a little clearer about what I can do. I was minding my own business, had left my stall, when I overheard Ms. Gomez talking to another stallholder. I’m guessing he’s the new opportunity. He seemed smitten.”

“She’s exceptional at her job.”

“I believe you. When she finished with him, I door-stopped her. You’ve stopped taking commissions?” Mo jutted his chin, his words halfway between a question and a statement.

“You’ve been following me?”

“I’ve got an interest.”

“It’s been a bad year,” Cas admitted. Mo had shared Cas’s dream through college and for years afterward, so deserved the truth from him. “I’m mulling my next steps too.”

“That’s how your name came up,” Mo said.

“Not sure I understand.”

“I was talking to Ms. Gomez, who said to call her Bea, about the old days and old dreams.”