‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ she said, turning and facing the crowd, hoping her smile was as dazzling as it felt. She discarded her glass and gestured to the mannequins around her. ‘This collection is for the woman who wants men to stop and turn, for the woman who wants to celebrate her femininity. It’s for the woman who wants to be bold, who wants a dress to wear for every occasion.’ Evelina paused, doing a little spin in the dress she’d chosen to wear, showing off the silk velvet that clung to her hips and shimmied down her legs. ‘These dresses are for every woman,’ she said with a smile.
A ripple of applause rose from everyone gathered, and she stood until the chatter in the room began again, her breath coming in little pants as she went to speak to a buyer who was waving her over. As she began to walk, someone caught her eye, standing near the door, his glass raised as if in a silent toast.Antoine.
And in that moment, she didn’t know whether she wanted to hide from him or run straight into his arms.
An hour later, Evelina found herself alone in an apartment full of dresses and one very intriguing man. Antoine had waited patiently until she’d spoken to every last person, relaxed as he sat, legs stretched out as if he owned the place, on a chair near the back of the room. But now that they were alone, he’d takenit upon himself to open a fresh bottle of champagne, and as she watched he filled two glasses before holding one out to her. It was the last bottle left, and most likely the last bottle she would be able to afford to buy until she sold something.
She took a few steps closer and took the glass, careful to have only a small sip after they gently clinked glasses. She’d drunk a small amount throughout the night, but she’d been careful with how much she consumed, wanting to be as professional as possible. But now, she was ready to relax, content with how the night had ended.It’s time to let my hair down.
‘To the most unexpected of evenings,’ Antoine said, shamelessly holding eye contact for much longer than was polite.
‘In what way was it unexpected?’ Evelina asked, feeling rather forward herself. Ever since her ex-husband had called her a little country mouse, she’d been determined to never let anyone say or think that of her ever again. And so, even in the company of a man like Antoine, she had every intention of speaking her mind and at least acting as if she were both accomplished and confident.
‘Well,’ he said, ‘not only did I discover a talented new designer to stock in my store, but I also happened to meet a young woman who I find completely fascinating.’
Evelina laughed. She couldn’t help it, not when he was trying so overtly to impress her. ‘You don’t have to flatter me.’
‘To the contrary, you’re one of the rare women I actuallywantto flatter,’ he replied with a quick smile. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you before.’
She decided to put some space between them, suddenly unsure whether she wanted to blur the boundaries of what could become a professional relationship with anything personal. But by agreeing to a drink, had she already done so? Antoine gave her a moment, as if sensing her indecision, and she walked tothe balcony and stepped outside. It was only a small space, but the air immediately refreshed her, the view of the city she loved, lights twinkling at night, always enough to clear her mind.Just breathe. He might be the son of the family who owns one of the biggest shops in the city, but he is only a man. A man who is very interested in my attention, and who appears to be prepared to do anything to impress me.
‘Would you care for a cigarette?’
Antoine’s voice was deep and raspy, as if he’d already smoked enough cigarettes for both of them, and she found herself nodding as he came up behind her. He placed his glass down on the little wrought iron table on the balcony, before passing her a cigarette and leaning in close to light it. She stared at his long, tapered fingers—fingers her mother would have said belonged to a pianist—before taking a slow inhale and turning her head ever so slightly to blow the smoke away from him. She didn’t need to be distracted by thoughts of the past, and she certainly wasn’t going to start thinking about her mother, not when she was so close to achieving her dreams.
He lit himself a cigarette as she watched, before picking up his glass again, angling his body slightly away from hers and staring out at the view she’d been admiring.
‘When you look from up here, you can see why Paris is called the city of lights,’ he said. ‘You can stare at it a hundred times or more, and never tire of the view.’
‘I grew up in the country,’ Evelina said, taking the cigarette from between her lips and holding it between her fingers. ‘At night, it was pitch-black, so dark that you couldn’t see anything except by moonlight. So this view? It will never be lost on me. I intend on admiring it for the rest of my life.’
‘You’re not from Paris? I would never have guessed.’
Evelina glanced over at him, flattered that he thought her a native Parisian. When she’d first arrived in the city, she wouldn’thave admitted where she came from to anyone, but tonight, she wasn’t afraid of the truth. Antoine was acting as though he wanted to know her darkest secrets, and she found herself more than willing to oblige.
‘Paris was the city of my dreams, and it still is,’ she said. ‘Thinking back to where I came from? It’s like reading a story and being familiar with the characters, but not believing it is my own. I can barely remember not living here, not anymore.’
He nodded. ‘I have heard that your husband has recently closed the doors to his fashion house.’
‘Ahh,’ Evelina said, ‘so that’s why you came tonight. You know my former husband.’ She shook her head, feeling foolish for being so naive. ‘I should have guessed.’
But Antoine merely frowned, his eyebrows drawn closely together, as if he couldn’t understand why she was suddenly cross. ‘I once stocked his clothes in my store, and I’d heard your name mentioned. That’s why I came tonight,’ Antoine said, before his lips twisted into a smile. ‘In fact, I thought some of his more recent collections were truly inspirational. Remind me again exactly when you moved to Paris and met Théo?’
This time she smiled back. Her lips tilted up at the sides as she sipped her champagne, taking her time before replying.So he knows. She’d wondered when someone would realise that he’d been using her designs, that there was a reason Théo’s most recent collections had been more feminine and more modern.
Antoine moved slightly closer. ‘When I looked at the beautiful dresses on display tonight, there was a familiarity to the careful tailoring and feminine silhouettes. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d seen your work before.’
‘What exactly are you saying, Antoine?’ she asked, happy to play his little game.
‘I think we both know what I’m saying, Evelina,’ he said, his voice even raspier as he discarded his cigarette and took a stepcloser to her, and then another, until he was so close that all she would have to do was raise her hand and she’d be able to touch the lapel of his jacket. Her fingers ached to lift themselves from her sides to do so. ‘Someone has been taking credit for your beautiful designs, but it’s only going to be so long before I’m not the only one putting two and two together.’
‘Perhaps,’ she said, her voice barely a whisper as his gaze dropped to her lips, making her wonder if he was about to try to kiss her, or if he was only toying with her. ‘But he is no longer my husband, and I never intend on letting anyone else?—’
‘I’m very pleased to hear it.’
She swallowed and lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes now. Evelina wasn’t entirely certain what he was trying to say.
‘That he is no longer your husband,’ Antoine said, reaching out and touching a loose strand of her hair. ‘In case that part wasn’t clear.’
