An hour later Marco, Holly and I walk out of the classroom where the panel of judges convened to give us their decision. As soon as the door closes behind us, Holly and I take turns locking Marco up in a celebratory hug.
“Congratulations,” I tell him, meaning it with every fiber of my being. “You earned this. Your collection was out of control.”
“It really was,” Holly agrees. I’m a little jarred for a second that she even acknowledged my comment. This is the closest she’s come to speaking to me in a month. She must notice me noticing and quickly diverts her eyes from me to Marco. “For real. I thought my pieces were the best I’ve ever done and your work legit made them look like trash bags.”
“They did not,” Marco insists. “Your work was amazing. Everyone’s work was. I’m going to assume that it was a three-way tie and they ended up picking my name out of a hat.”
“You’re a very good friend for believing that,” I tell him. “But there’s no way that it’s true. And now you should go and celebrate like the winner you are.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I am. Derek and I are going to my parents’ house. I will be making a vat of sangria and my mom is cooking all my favorite foods, and if everything goes according to plan, I will be passed out in bed and living my best life by ten.”
“You are the oldest twenty-two-year-old in the world,” I tease.
“I’m well aware. Now, let’s take all the emotions we’re feeling right now and channel them into something productive. Communication is key in any relationship, so I’m leaving you two to chat and work out your issues because we’re getting together for dinner next week, and this continued tension is stressing us all out. I have faith in you both. Let the healing power of fashion bless this union.Buona sera.”
And then he’s off, disappearing down the hall and leaving Holly and me awkwardly looking at each other like two people trapped in a doorless elevator.
“I loved your collection,” I tell her a few seconds later. “Any of your pieces could be sold in stores tomorrow. Before she left, my sister told me to tell you that if you ever start taking orders, she’ll be the first in line. And she distinctly said it with an insistent edge to her voice, so I know she means it.”
A small but grateful smile appears on Holly’s face. “That’s very nice. And you can tell her that since she’s the sister of one of my friends, she’ll obviously get preferential treatment.”
I allow a glimmer of optimism to break free in my expression. “Does that mean we’re friends, then?”
“We are if you’re willing to forgive me.” Holly’s eyes flick down before she brings her gaze back to me. “I’ve been thinking a lot about how I behaved at the end of our trip, and I want to tell you that I’m so sorry. I should have said it right away but I’m so used to holding things inside.”
“No!” I all but blurt out. “I’m the one who needs to say they’re sorry. I should have been honest with you. I was so desperate for you to like me that I was willing to say anything to make it happen, and that was wrong of me.”
A door opens down the hall, and we both turn to find someone walking out and continuing on in the opposite direction. Facing each other again, Holly shakes her head. “We both made mistakes. Yes, I wish you would have been more straightforward with me, but who was I to dictate who you could date? You’re a grown woman and you should do whatever makes you happy. I put my insecurities on you, and that wasn’t fair. Ever since we met you’ve been nothing but supportive of me and I don’t want one disagreement to cancel out the good things we had going on in Italy.”
I’m so happy and relieved that I’m speechless. The gratitude emanating off me must be obvious, prompting Holly to go on. “Plus, you and I survived a near-death tarot card reading together, and you can’t just erase a bond like that.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” I reply with a chuckle. “And now that the competition’s over, what’s going on for you next? Will you start looking for a job in the city?”
She briefly pauses before answering. “Actually, I just accepted a job this morning. I’m going back to Rome to work at Gia Luca.”
“You’re what?” I shriek. My excited outburst rings through the hallway and I’m not in the least bit bothered by it.
Holly laughs and rubs her face before dropping her hands down, her cheeks red. “I can’t believe it, either. I just really connected with their aesthetic, and I loved working in the atelier. I’m starting out as an assistant pattern maker and I’m going to rent an apartment in Chiara’s building.”
I just keep shaking my head. I’m flabbergasted and beyond thrilled for her. “This is unreal. I’m so happy, I can’t even articulate it. Are you on cloud nine? How are you even functioning right now?”
“I don’t know,” she cheerfully replies. “But I know it’s the right choice. I want to start a life of my own and being there felt right. I’m me when I’m there, but a stronger, more confident version.”
“And I’m sure Dino is over the moon with the news.” I can’t stop cheesing, though Holly doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, she’s enjoying my elation.
“Yes, he was psyched when I told him. He’s not the reason I’m going, but he’s a nice perk.”
“Dino thedestino,” I muse. “Who would have thought it?”
“Not me,” Holly answers, her grin still shining bright. Silence follows, but it’s an airy, light quiet. “What’s next for you?” she asks. “Do you have any plans?”
I take a breath. “I have a few ideas. Nothing set in stone, but I’ll keep you posted.”
“Please do. Things are looking up for us. I’m sure even Madame Mathilde would agree.”
“I think you’re right, but please don’t ask her.” Holly lets out a quiet laugh and I glance over my shoulder toward the exit. “Should we get out of here? We can boldly step out into the future together.”
“You go ahead,” she tells me. “I left a bunch of stuff behind in the workrooms and I want to stay and soak today in for a little longer.”
