I owe it all to Kjell.
"But someone's in a good mood," Lil says.
I stop my twirl and look around.
Lil leans against the staircase railing, watching me with a grin.
"Absolutely," I confirm.
She comes over, links her arm with mine, and walks with me down the corridor. "Are Kahlo's designs for the Oscar dress that amazing, or why are you radiating like this?"
"He's working on it," I reply vaguely. It wouldn't be right to criticize his designs to Lil. I didn't have the courage to tell him my opinion directly, so I shouldn't confide it in anyone else either. "But he has some great ideas."
We reach the small coffee kitchen found on every floor of the skyscraper. "Oh, really?"
I lean against the wide windowsill. The rooftops of the city are covered in a thick layer of snow, and the branches of the trees in front ofTouch av lyx's main entrance glisten frostily.
Instinctively, I scan the surroundings for reporters who might be lurking outside.
"Of course, you can't say much in the early stages, but we have a detail that could be developed," I murmur absentmindedly. At that moment, I spot a man behind a bare bush.
Who is that?
Does he have a camera in his hand?
With bated breath, I press myself against the wall, feeling my upper body stiffen.
He steps aside.
No camera.
Just his hands, zipping up his pants.
Thank goodness.
Suddenly, Lil is next to me, nudging me. "Did you just saywe?"
"Hm?" I tear myself away from the window.
"You and Kahlo, developing ideas together?" Lil asks excitedly, and suddenly, I'm back in the conversation.
"Mm-hmm," I reply. My cheeks are flushed. "Isn't it incredible?"
"Pretty incredible," she agrees. She fills two glasses with water and hands one to me. "And now you're also working together on the design?"
No. Unfortunately not. It would be a dream to create new designs together with him. To watch over his shoulder, to learn from him. But there's still a long way to go for that. Plus, I don't have the time for it anyway.
I wave it off. "We had just one idea that he'll be pursuing. That's all."
Lil joins me. "Well then, tell me."
I'm more than happy to do so. I talk about the ruching that caught my eye, and I see it again in my mind's eye. Along with it, a deep cut, the finest silk, perhaps a sheer element of tulle on the side. Dreamily, I rest my head against the windowpane and let my imagination run wild.
I get lost in it, repeatedly redesigning the dress in my thoughts. I change the length, the straps, the back, the embellishments. I add feathers, replace them with sequins, and experimentally lower the neckline.
Excitement washes over me. This could be beautiful.
Lil grins mischievously. "You should discuss it with Kahlo, don't you think?"
