I had a lot of thinking to do, and I needed a clear head to make this decision. Also? I maybe sort of wanted to prolong it before telling him.
“I’m beat,” I said. “I think I better go to bed.”
He looked a little bit disappointed. “Okay. Good night.” He kissed me briefly. “Breakfast tomorrow?”
We’d gotten into the habit of eating breakfast early in the garden on days we both worked.
I nodded. “I’ll be there. Good night, Rowan.”
He stayed in the garden watching me as I went into the tiny house.
After changing and washing my face, I sat on my bed and tried not to cry while weighing my options. The door burst open. Gia was home already?
“Why exactly didn’t you tell me what Matteo’s call was about, Tahira?” she said before the door had even closed.
I climbed down the ladder from the loft so this conversation could happen face-to-face.
“Matteo called again?” I asked, plopping down on the chair.
“He did. Seriously, Tahira.Dasha Payne.Why weren’t you screaming for joy? Why aren’t you packing your bags right this minute?”
I shrugged.
Gia shook her head, clearly unbelieving. “You’re way out of touch lately, girl. I can’t even process thatwecan be in one of her fashion spreads. And she wants to do an article aboutyou. My own best friend. And my cousin, but he’s still the black sheep of the family, so whatevs.”
“I didn’t agree to do it, Gia. We’d have to drop out of the Bloom.”
Gia flopped onto her bed. “So?”
“So people are counting on us. And what about my Plan? Being in the competition is to catch the attention of Christopher Chan, remember?”
“A profile on your design work on Dasha Payne’s site will catch Christopher Chan’s attention. I checked, T—he totally interacts with her on Insta all the time.”
I exhaled. That, I hadn’t known.
“This is it, T,” Gia continued. “Everything we’ve been working toward. All those hours learning photography, you with the designing, the hours we’ve spent on photo shoots, the lighting, the editing, the scouting the best locations. We’re finally there. We could be famous before we’re even eighteen.”
“I’m not doing all this for fame! It’s supposed to be about the designs, G,” I said, curling my legs under me on the pine chair.
“And don’t you think people are going to want more House of Tahira shirts when you’re famous?” She paused. “This isn’t because of Rowan, is it?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t told him.”
Gia shook her head. “You need to get your priorities straight, girl. Don’t let a gardener hold you back from your dreams. Actually, don’t letanyguy hold you back. That’s not you.”
I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t letting Rowan hold me back, was I?
Gia sighed. “Tahira, you’re my girl, so I’m going to be straight with you. I know I’d just be riding your coattails, but Dasha doesn’t want Matteo and me unless you do it. You’re the star. We’re just the sidekicks. If you don’t do this, we’ll lose the opportunity.”
I looked up at her.
“Don’t forget who’s been there for you,” she continued. “Matteo and I have been modeling for you for months. I’m always there to take pictures when you need them. When you found out you’d be stuck in this shit town all summer, I quit my job to come with you.”
Yeah, Gia had done all that.
“It sucks to upset Rowan and Juniper,” Gia said, “but you’d be letting down your older friends if you stay here. The ones who’ve done a hell of a lot more than just teach you about flowers.”
“What about Shar and the store?” I asked. We both had Friday and Saturday off for the Bloom, but we were supposed to work Thursday and Sunday. The photo shoot was early Friday morning, and the rooftop party late on Saturday night.
