I soften, pulling my sister to my side. She’s lucky to have Jada, but not everyone can make it work. Not that I’ve seen.
And it’s the reminder I need.
I finish my beer, pushing any romantic thoughts of Iris from my mind. She might be beautiful, and I might be sorely tempted by her, but it’s not like I’m inlovewith her. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever been in love with anyone. Sophie’s right. I’m married to my career.
And I have no intention of straying.
But I can help Iris in other ways. She needs guidance, boundaries, encouragement. I can give her that. Today I felt like her mentor, helping her tweak her plans, and that’s as it should be. That’s what I will offer her.
Even if it kills me to do it.
16
IRIS
The following week, Aidan and I meet with David Lancaster to present my design for the Bushwick studios. I spend the morning anxiously pacing the offices until my father barks at me to “Settle down, Iris!” and I force myself to sit at my desk, my knee jiggling with nerves.
Thank God he doesn’t know. I was worried Aidan would push me to tell him I’m working on this project, but he’s been surprisingly chill. With that off my plate, I’ve got plenty of time to worry about David’s reaction to my design.
But the worry is for nothing. David loves my plans, beautifully rendered in Revit by Aidan, bringing my vision to life in 3D. He turns the lights of our first-floor conference room on after his presentation, and I glance across to find David grinning.
“These are brilliant,” David tells Aidan in his British lilt. “I may have underestimated you.”
Aidan’s eyes flick to mine. “You need to thank Iris. The plans are hers.”
David looks at me in surprise. “I thought you were an assistant?”
My stomach drops. I glance from David to Aidan, feeling a clutch of panic. Why did Aidan tell him? More to the point, had I really thought I’d get away with this? I’m punching above my weight here, and we both know it.
“I, um…” I begin, and Aidan seamlessly swoops in.
“Iris is working as my assistant, yes, but she has architecture training.”
I stare at him, my pulse settling. Since flunking out, I’ve found it difficult to consider my time in college anything other than a waste. Money down the drain. But I like the way he says it, like those two and a half years might have meant something. Not a degree, but not nothing.
“I’ve overseen the designs myself,” Aidan adds, but David waves a hand.
“You know what? I don’t care. They’re better than I could have imagined.”
My breath rushes out in relief. Aidan’s gaze settles on mine, mouth tilting in a smile, and there’s a flutter in my chest.
“You have such a clear understanding of how to utilize small spaces,” David says, rising to shake my hand.
“She does, doesn’t she?” Aidan agrees quietly, eyes sparkling.
I scramble to my feet, extending my hand to David. “Thank you so much. I’m glad you like them.”
“You and me both.”
As he exits the conference room, I turn to Aidan with a beaming smile. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can.” Aidan gazes at me, a look I can’t quite read on his face. He’s smiling, a soft, knowing smile, like he didn’t expect any other outcome. Like…
Shit. Like he’s proud of me.
I’m not sure I’ve seen that look on someone’s face before—not directed at me, anyway. It makes my heart press against myribs, makes emotion fill my chest. Makes me want to brush my lips against his.
Aidan tears his gaze from mine, grabbing his laptop from the conference room table, motioning for me to head out. I’m buzzing as I walk the stairs to our floor, unable to quell my huge grin. David loved the plans. One of my designs will become a reality for the first time. I’ll walk through the space I crafted so carefully. See it. Touch it. I might not have a degree to my name, but I have this.
