I pull my hair behind my ear self-consciously, look at Sebastian on my left, who has turned to chat with the man on his other side, and nod without elaborating.
She seems to mistake the reason for my reticence. “I’m sorry.” She makes a face. “I hate it when people do that.”
“Do what?” I ask, cocking my head.
“Define a woman by the man she’s associated with.” She rolls her eyes and points to herself. “Daughter of the great Dario Mancini,” she says wryly.
“Oh! You’re Caitlin,” I cry. “I would have recognized you, but you’ve changed your hair.”
She nods with a self-effacing grin. “It’s very clichéd of me. New breakup, new look.” She shakes her head back and forth. Her straight-edge glossy brown bob swings with her movement. She used to have long platinum blonde hair, so it’s no wonder I didn’t recognize her.
Caitlin Mancini is a former model and It Girl. She made headlines when she married Davina Ito, the lead singer of a famous girl band, a few years back. Caitlin is also a singer with a small but fanatic following. “I’ve been listening to your music since you released ‘It’s Romantic,’” I say. It was one of her first singles.
Her eyes widen and she smiles. “Wow. I thought you were going to say ‘Exit Lane.’” She says, referring to her only viral hit.
“Please.” I wave my hand. “I’m an OG.”
“So, now that we’ve established you have amazing taste in music…” Caitlin laughs. “I’m so excited that you reached out to me a few weeks ago. And that you came. I’m in desperate need ofhelp to get settled. I’ve moved into Lavender Hill House, which is here on the estate, but my life has been in boxes. I only have one week to hire someone before I leave for the next leg of the tour. I don’t even have an assistant right now.” She flips her bangs out of her eyes. “I could really use your help, but are you sure you have the time to work on this project, with it being so last minute?”
“I can squeeze it in,” I say, trying to sound cool. Could it be this easy? I haven’t even pitched her my services or given her a quote, and she almost sounds like she’s made up her mind to hire me.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Sebastian whispers in my ear. I turn to him, startled. He looks worried.
“I’m fine. All healed,” I hiss before turning back to Caitlin once again.
Thankfully, she hasn’t heard our exchange. “We could get started right away. If you decide to hire me, of course,” I tell the rocker.
“Wonderful. I spoke with Evie, and she said you came highly recommended. She gushed that you worked wonders in Daisy’s studio, which is all I need to know. But you may change your mind about wanting to take this on when you see all the boxes,” she adds. “I’m warning you. Everything is a wreck.”
I nod, not able to contain my excitement. “I can’t wait to see it. I love an organizing challenge. Now, tell me, is the house fully furnished, or do you need interior design services?”
“It’s furnished but not to my style. My mom decorated it back in the ’90s, so I need it all!” Caitlin exclaims. We chat about more logistics.
And just like that, I land my first official client.
Dinner lasts for hours,with multiple courses, each paired with wine. I take only a sip from each glass since my doctor has advised against drinking until I’m fully recovered. I also rarely drink around Sebastian. I know it’s not an issue for him, but it’s a choice that feels right.
Despite the gorgeous surroundings and dinner companions, I stifle a yawn as the last plates are cleared.
Dario and his wife stand. Maricella announces, “Coffee will be served on the patio.”
“Sebastian? Emma?” Dario says, looking over at us. “Will you be coming?” I’m surprised at the famed director singling us out, considering there are far more important people at the table, but maybe it’s because Sebastian looks ready to pull me up and bolt out the door.
My fake fiancé shakes his head. “No,” he says. Just the one word, no qualifiers or softeners.
Maricella rolls her eyes at her husband. “Of course they don’t want to join us. Don’t you see how impatient Sebastian is? Remember what we were like newly engaged?”
“I remember what we’re like now,” he says gruffly, and they share a loving look.
Sebastian leans over until I can feel his breath against my ear. I shiver.
He whispers, “It’s like they’re daring us to kiss.”
I swallow. “I’d hate to disappoint them,” I murmur. The light in his eyes flares and catches fire. I’m going to be burned.
I turn to him, and his mouth descends slowly, almost tentatively. His lips brush mine. Once. Twice. Then he deepensthe kiss, and the dam breaks. I’m lost in a world of pure sensation. A world that’s built of butterflies.
I don’t know how long it lasts. Our hosts, the other guests, the room—all disappear. His arm wraps around me, and I lean as close as I can get.
