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“Yeah, I had them drawn up after our last meeting. I just got them back today.” The designs were still mine, but these looked so much more professional. They looked like they belonged to a multi-million pound project, andI’dcreated them.
I traced my fingers over the clean lines. It should have been the first win of my career, but instead it was the last surviving remnant of a dream I’d killed off. It was ironic that I’d killed it off for the man I’d designed this garden for.
“Wanna see something else?” Riley picked up his iPad and, with a few touches, I was gasping all over again. “It’s a 3D mock up of your designs.” His fingers moved over the screen, and my mouth hung open as the view moved down the grass steps, through the honeysuckle and jasmine wheels, the ebbing sea of yellow pansies and violet-blue forget-me-nots that lay out before me. He continued to guide us until we came to a stop at the cherry blossom tree.
“It’s cool, right?” ‘Cool’was an understatement.
He tapped another button and suddenly I was looking at a bird’s-eye view of my garden. I let out a little squeal and Riley laughed. My whole life I’d dreamed of seeing my designs come to life, of having my talent validated.
“It’s incredible, Riley, thank you.” I was unable to take my eyes off the screen. I felt him give a small shrug beside me.
“My pleasure, I had fun working with you. Now, come on. I’ll walk you back.” My chest constricted as he switched the iPad off and my designs disappeared. “Congratulations, by the way. I heard you’re leaving with Alfie.”
“Yeah, I’m excited.” I put on my brightest voice but Riley gave me a sideways glance that told me he hadn’t bought it.
“You’re terrified, I get it. It’s a completely different world, I struggle with it too.”
“How do you deal with it?” I asked as I followed him through the back entrance of the house. He walked me down a long hallway until we came to the main foyer staircase. Mike followed us in silence.
“I don’t compromise on who I am. That world is full of shit that will try to compromise you. I just refuse to let it into mypersonal life. I travel with Alfie for certain projects, but mostly I live in London and design from there. I live in a small one-bedroom. It’s understated and relatively cheap. Of course, he hates it, doesn’t want his top designer living in a hovel, but it’s none of his business where I live.” I followed him up the stairs as he talked. What he said made a lot of sense except for one thing.
“But Alfieismy personal life. I can’t exactly tell him to give up his penthouses and mansions and move into a one-bedroom with me.”
“Why not? He probably would.”
We reached the top of the stairs and Riley began the series of turns that I was pretty sure would lead us to Alfie’s office.
“You overestimate my power.”
“Nah, love. I think you underestimate it.” I didn’t know how to respond to that so I said nothing. If I had power, how come I was the one in the passenger seat? Hell, I wasn’t even in the passenger seat anymore. I was in the back, strapped into a kids’ car seat.
As we approached Alfie’s office the sound of female laughter echoed down the hall. I looked up at Riley, who had a grim expression on his face. I sighed as another giggle permeated the air.
“Well, you did say he was dick-deep in work.” It was a lame joke that fell flat.
“They’re not what you think they are,” he said gently. I believed him, but it didn’t help.
“But they are something,” I muttered, knowing that Riley wouldn’t give me any answers. I didn’t want to go in there. I wanted to go back outside and look at my designs some more but of course, my feet would take me to wherever Alfie was.
Riley knocked and opened the door without waiting for a response. I was greeted by a painfully familiar sight. Alfie seated at his desk, a dark look on his face as Angie stood at his side,arms folded. We all stared at each other for a moment before Riley cleared his throat.
“Sorry for commandeering your girl. I wanted to show her the designs for the Evergarden. They look great by the way.” I could have kissed Riley then. He knew what the garden meant to Alfie. He was trying to bring him back to me, but Alfie’s mask was firmly in place and he didn’t even flinch.
“I look forward to seeing them.” His tone chilled me.
“I sent a copy to Angie this morning.” Riley sounded confused. “As it was pertaining to Lola I assumed she would have shown you immediately.”
“We’ve been busy.” Angie placed a manicured hand on Alfie’s shoulder. I really hated this woman.
“I bet you have.” Sick of the formalities, I stepped into the room, kicked off my shoes, and took a seat on the leather couch where Alfie had fed me Chinese food a week ago. Angie eyed my discarded shoes with a smirk and turned to Alfie.
“Maybe you should send her to those etiquette classes after all.” She gave me a sneering smile and out of nowhere, an old remnant of the fire inside me ignited my tongue.
“Maybe he should sendyouto the trash heap of loser PAs who never got to fuck their boss.” Riley burst out laughing but Alfie didn’t look impressed. Mike was doing a very good impression of Elliot’s trademark stoicism. Angie stuck out her lip.
“Alfie, I’m sorry but I can’t work like this. I’ve known you for ten years. I don’t deserve to be verbally abused by your…girlfriend.” She folded her arms, and she actually looked like she was close to tears. I rolled my eyes. Riley snorted, decidedly unconvinced. Before I could send another scathing retort her way, Alfie sat forward in his seat and with just that small movement, the whole room stood to attention. The boss was taking over.
“Thank you, Riley.” Without another word, he dismissed my only ally. Riley gave me a small nod as he left the room. Alfie’s gaze turned next on Mike, giving him a wordless instruction to get the hell out, which he followed immediately. I was next. He fixed those steel greys on me and I tried not to wilt under his stare.