Once he’s gone, I let out a long sigh, realizing it’s the first time I’ve actually feltbetterafter seeing him. Most of the time I feel a little more worn down—and a lot angrier. But not today.
I turn toward the counter to pick up Stevie for a cuddle, and when I see where she is, a laugh bubbles up in my chest. Myles is cradling Stevie in his arms, on her back, like a baby. I think back to what he told me the last time he was in here; that he has adaughter. He once held a tiny baby in his arms, just like that. I try to picture it but the image won’t form properly in my mind.
I remember, suddenly, his suggestion to create a children’s line. That unicorn printwouldlook great on a little girl’s dress, as well as some of the other prints I have. There’s mountains of fabric in the basement—there might be something in there I could use to create a dress for his daughter. And since I can’t afford to pay him right now, maybe that could be my way of showing my appreciation for everything he’s doing for me. Not to mention it would be fun to create a range of dresses for kids. Why didn’t I think of that before?
Myles lifts his eyes to mine. “So Shane’s your boyfriend now?”
I clear my throat. “Not really, no.” I’m about to explain that hewillbe, but for some reason I feel compelled to stop there.
Myles turns his attention back to Stevie, scratching under her chin while she turns to jelly in his hands. I watch him, trying to make sense of the way the atmosphere has shifted between us all of a sudden. I’m relieved when he sets Stevie down and slides his laptop into his bag.
“I’d better get ready for work. Will I see you at the bar later?”
“No. Once Hayley gets here, I’m going to head home and work on some more pieces.”
He nods, resting his gaze on me. “Okay. Then maybe… do you want to come to my place tomorrow night?”
I blink. “Uh…”
“To work on the site,” he clarifies, an amused smile nudging his mouth. “I hardly had a chance to talk to you, and we have a lot to figure out. It might be better to do it somewhere quiet.”
“Oh, right.” My cheeks heat and I turn so he can’t see, pretending to busy myself with a scarf. For one stupid second, I thought he was asking me to come over to…
Anyway.
“Yeah,” I say. “That’s a good idea. I want to get the website up and running as soon as possible.”
The bell at the door rings and I glance up to see Hayley enter. Today her long hair is wound up into two buns on top of her head, like Mickey Mouse ears. She drops her purse onto a stool, turning to Myles with a bright smile. “Hi. I’m Hayley.”
“Myles.” He slings his messenger bag over his shoulder and extends his hand.
“Ohyou’reMyles. Cat mentioned you.”
His lips quirk into a smile, his playful gaze sliding to me. “Did she now?”
“Yes.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes at what he’s implying. “I told her you’re going to help me save the store.”
“Well, of course.” He grins as he saunters past. “What else would you have told her?”
Hayley snickers beside me and I cut her a look.
“See you tomorrow night,” Myles says with a chuckle.
“So, I have an idea.” Hayley turns to me eagerly as the door closes behind Myles. “I want you to come and look at the East Village Market Collective with me.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, I was thinking. Since you’re going to be getting most of your customers from online soon, you’re not going to need a big shop space. Maybe a permanent booth in the market would do.”
“Huh,” I say, turning this over. The EVMC is a seven-day market that runs in an old industrial building a few blocks away. It’s filled with all kinds of funky booths, selling art, crafts, beauty products, organic food—you name it. She’s right, actually; a booth there could work. I’d never considered that.
“The only problem is the booths aren’t huge,” Hayley continues. “So you’d want to use all the space for your dresses. There’s nowhere for your sewing machine and stuff.”
“I could keep it at home,” I hear myself say. “I could do my sewing and store the other things at home. I have space in my living room.” I pause, thinking. “Do you want to keep working with me—with my designs?”
“Definitely. I know things are probably going to change once we’re out of here, but your stuff is gorgeous, Cat. I’m so inspired every time you bring something new out.”
Pride glows in my chest at her words. “I need to focus on sewing, not running a booth. And when I’m not sewing, I’ll have my hands full managing the online store.” I take a deep breath. “If we can get this booth—if it’s right for us—how would you like to run it, full-time? I know you have a lot going on, and you like your freedom, but—”
