Page 47 of Everything About You

The big day is finally here.

It was mildly devastating watching Noel become pretty fond of Rhodes last night, knowing that friendship isn’t going to go

anywhere. It felt a bit unfair to Noel, and that left me with a sense of guilt that persisted long after we said good night

to Rhodes.

Currently, I have the nerves to end all nerves. If I ever thought I had anxiety before a tennis match or a test, or even my

first day at Maison Dauphine, this is a reality check. I am practically vibrating because I am so nervous about today.

Celeste and Noel left early, and it was all too familiar, hugging them goodbye as they wheeled their suitcases out, and then

sitting in the silent apartment alone trying to calm myself down with breathing techniques.

The wildest thing is that I’m not even fully sure where all these nerves are coming from.

In theory, this should be a piece of cake.

We’ve talked through everything and gone over all the details a hundred times by now, and it’s just keeping all the parts in place so this is a well-oiled machine.

This isn’t Maison Dauphine’s first fashion show, after all, and it’s not like Haydée and Zoe and Yvette aren’t at the top of their game.

I think, in a very strange turn of events, I’m more anxious for Rhodes than myself.

Despite Celeste’s vote of encouragement, I’ve come to accept the fact that this is my last hurrah. Yvette only brought me

back because of Pascal, and I highly doubt there’s going to be anything else to come from that one-time endorsement.

So today is more about Rhodes than anything. I want to make it up to him once and for all by ensuring that everything is perfect

with no hiccups or funny business.

We’re at the Jardin du Luxembourg. Specifically, we’re at l’Orangerie.

Another day, another orangery.

The brick-and-stone facade is stunning, with large arched, multipaneled windows and white bust sculptures adorning symmetrically

spaced enclaves. There are palms and orange trees in green wooden boxes, just like at the Versailles Orangerie.

And, similar to the pop-up, they have brought the greenery inside.

All the chaotic energy from the weeks leading up, all the frenzy and hysteria, it’s all culminated here. There’s a palpable

feeling of urgency that emanates off everybody in the room—each crew member assembling or moving a set piece, each member

of PR or marketing or global affairs, each security guard.

It’ll look different at night, but the sunlight washes the stone runway that’s been constructed down the middle of the space.

Gold bamboo chairs are placed along the sides, with palm trees masterfully placed inside to add a sense of depth and dimension.

It’s minimalistic, but there’s a true sense of summer, along with an obvious nod to the L’or des Fous line.

The room will be ambient, with warm uplighting opposite the windows, where an artificial wall of falling water has been installed,

and even softer lighting along the runway. The quiet luxury of it all is very aligned with Pascal’s direction for Maison Dauphine.

I’ve read all about the lighting design in our prep deck. The purpose is to strategically accentuate the lines of the pieces

and to illuminate the gold.

The room is already being pumped with the aromatics, which include a very light orange blossom, an even lighter sandalwood,

and a hint of tonka. It’s subtle, but it’s suggestive of an upscale resort during the summer. Something else I learned from

the prep deck.

All of us in PR are wearing black dresses or tuxedos. My feet are already sore from running around so much this week, and

these new loafers they’ve given Rhodes and me aren’t helping. They’re a buttery black leather with cloth details of Maison

Dauphine monogramming peeking out from the slot, but as soft as they may be, they’re brand-new and they’re killing me. I do

really like this new satin bow tie we’re wearing tonight, and we also got a really nice gold sans-serif MD pin to wear on

our jackets. It is a bit heavy, but incredible quality, and something I’m looking forward to having as a keepsake.

Yvette is on the phone a few yards away, currently dressed in black pants and a white T-shirt, which is as casual as I have

ever seen her. When she spots me, I notice her signature sigh of displeasure before she mutters something into the phone,

locks it, and then walks over to me.

“Can always count on you to be punctual,” she says.

It’s one of those statements that actually has another statement hidden behind it. Like: Can always count on you to be punctual, even if you’re going to screw something major up.

“I like to be on time.”

Yvette gestures around the room. “Have you found Haydée yet? She’ll have assignments for you and Rhodes. I’m off to find Pascal.”

“I’ll go find her.”

“Bien.” She starts to walk, but I clear my throat.

“Yvette?”

I’m a bit surprised as her name comes out of my mouth.

She turns around, and I think of how to phrase this. After all, this was not planned out or practiced or something I’d even

considered. But, when faced with Yvette and the somewhat biting reality of this apprenticeship coming to an end, I feel just

a bit emboldened.

“I know you didn’t necessarily want to bring me back,” I say. “I don’t even think I blame you. But I am really grateful you did.”

She turns up her nose, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“It’s just... I know Pascal is the reason I’m here at all, and I wondered if he might be available.”

Yvette laughs. “Available? You want, what, a one-on-one with Pascal?”

Lifting my shoulders, I hesitate. “Not a one-on-one, actually. I was thinking Rhodes and I could both talk to him.”

“Milo.”

“I’ve looked up to him for so long,” I say. “I don’t think I really made quite the impression I wanted to—”

“Oh, you made quite the impression.”

“But not my best,” I offer. “Yvette, please. You must know that I regret all my missteps and errors in judgment. I am fully

dedicated to this and have been since day one. Since before day one, even. I’d just really love a moment with Pascal if it’s

at all possible, and I know Rhodes would as well. I know the reality is that this might be my last chance.”

What I haven’t said is lingering between us. My fate at Maison Dauphine rests with Yvette, and we both know she’s not going

to keep me around any longer than she has to.

“Please?”

Yvette frowns. “I don’t think so, Milo. If it becomes possible, I’ll relay to Haydée. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

She leaves without another word.

Rhodes arrives just as Yvette walks out the door, and I’m instantly breathless seeing him across the room, as handsome as

ever in his perfectly fitted tuxedo, with his perfectly styled golden hair.

He crosses the room and it’s like slow motion—all the absurd noise and busy energy disappear. The entirety of the Orangerie

vanishes, and it’s just Rhodes, and it’s just me. As he makes his way toward me, I wish more than anything he’d close the

gap between us once he finally greets me. I wish he’d take me in his arms, not to convince Celeste and Noel of anything, but

because he never wants to let me go either.

And in this moment, as I wait with bated breath and watch every step, I know I’ll forever regret losing him the way I did.

He stops about a foot away and smiles. “Nous voilà.”

“Nous voilà.”

“You look nice,” he offers. “How are you feeling?”

“Thanks,” I say, smoothing the fabric of my jacket. “What do you mean?”

Rhodes stifles a laugh. “Bit anxious or...?”

“Oh,” I say. I’d somehow forgotten that Rhodes had developed a sense for these things along the way. “A bit. I feel like I’m

hiding it pretty well, though.”

“Definitely. You can’t tell at all.”

Cheeks flushed, I roll my eyes. “Are you making fun of me?”

“No, really.” He shakes his head. “You look very confident.”

“I don’t know if confident is how I’d describe myself in this particular moment,” I say. “But thanks. You look really nice

too.”

Rhodes adjusts his hair. “You think so?”

“Yeah, of course. I mean, come on. Obviously.”

“Obviously?” He quirks a brow.

I roll my eyes and do my best not to give in, but my smile stretches across my face immediately. “Whatever. Yes, obviously,

you look nice.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that. Noel and Celeste gone, then?”

“They’re gone.”

Rhodes almost looks... concerned? “Right. Well, hopefully they had a fun time. I’m glad to have met them.”

There’s a finality to the sentiment. They met, and that’s all it will likely ever be.

“So what do we have to do first?”

“Find Haydée,” I say. “She’ll have tasks for us.”

It doesn’t take us long to find her, absolutely red in the face and barking orders at whoever is around to take them.

“Oh, good. There you two are. I thought you’d been fired again or something.” When the joke falls flat, she pulls a face.

“Sorry. Very stressed, bad joke.”

“That’s all right,” Rhodes says. “I’m sure someone would find it funny.”

Haydée gives him a death glare before turning to me and smiling.

“Dear Milo, do you think you could handle confirming our media credentials?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“We’ll want to make sure the credentials match the most recent confirmation list. If anyone has been removed, be sure to void

their credential so they don’t make it into the show.”

“Sure,” I say.

Rhodes rubs his hands together. “All right, what can I do?”

“Will you just do a quick check of our front row? Make sure it’s all accurate—again, matching the most recent confirmation

list? I think I’ve seen some changes and want to be totally sure it’s all right.”

We go about our tasks pretty quickly. Only one fashion reporter has been removed, and I am sure to invalidate and dispose

of his pass. Rhodes has confirmed the front row is all up to standard.

Haydée finds more tasks for us—checking the batteries in the walkies we will use backstage, ensuring all gifting is placed on seats, walking beside the falling water to be sure it doesn’t smell weird or spray anywhere it shouldn’t.

Once we are thirty minutes out from the show, Rhodes and I are officially placed on press duty.

We check people in, give them their credentials, and hold them in a small room they’ve constructed outside the Orangerie.

I’m not entirely sure why they’re not allowed to just go in and sit yet, but I’m guessing by the flashbulbs outside that it’s

because the celebrity attendees are arriving and being shown to their seats first. We’re to keep these members of the media

contained—they’re here to cover the show, not join the paparazzi outside.

I do manage to sneak a peek at some famous editors and a few actresses, all wearing gorgeous Maison Dauphine gowns. Rhodes

and I exchange satisfied glances, knowing we helped gift or loan those pieces to their stylists. My favorite is a ruby red

dress from the 2022 fall/winter collection, and I also spot a champagne taffeta suit Rhodes secured for a British editor who

is friends with his mom.

Eventually, Haydée gives us the clear to begin escorting press members to their seats.

“I know I recognize you. Are you the boy from the Instagram photo?”

“Are you actually dating Rhodes Hamilton?”

“What’s the American teen perspective on Paris, then?”

Maybe I was born to be in PR after all, because I masterfully maneuver everyone’s questions with grace and ease, even though

I was not expecting them at all. Obviously I’m naive, but I figured there were unspoken rules in society about asking strangers

questions about who they’re dating.

I’m sure Rhodes is handling the questions all the same, with chatty older women clinging to his arm as he helps them find their seat.

Finally, when I go back to greet the final guest I’ll escort for the evening and find her waiting for me, I wonder if I’m

back in one of my stress dreams.

Because it can’t be... right?

How can it possibly be...?

“Mom?”