Page 376 of Reign

I answer.

Chapter 53

Elena

Icannot believe I have a meeting with Evelyn St. Clair today.

The thought has been repeating itself for the last hour with increasing hysteria.

I stand in front of the mirror and stare at my third dress.

It’s trash.

Complete trash.

The deep plum fabric fits closely through the bodice before falling into a diagonal skirt that ends just below my knees. The neckline sweeps across one shoulder, structured enough to look sharp without becoming severe, and the pleating at my waist took me three attempts to get exactly right.

Yesterday, I thought it was one of the best things I’d ever made.

Today, it looks like something I constructed during a power outage with one hand tied behind my back.

“This is horrible.”

Luciano appears in the mirror behind me.

He’s already dressed, naturally. Black suit. Open collar. Expensive watch. Completely calm, as though we aren’t about to meet one of the most important fashion designers in the world.

His gaze moves slowly over me.

“You look gorgeous.”

I turn toward him. “I look like crap.”

“You don’t.”

“This is the third dress I’ve tried on.”

“I noticed.”

“Everything is trash. All of it. Every dress I’ve ever designed is trash, and I have a meeting with Evelyn St. Clair.”

Luciano comes closer. “Yes.”

“Today.”

“I’m aware.”

“Do you understand who she is?”

“I spoke to her yesterday.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

His hands close gently around my face. Before I can continue explaining the magnitude of this disaster, he bends and kisses me.

Soft. Brief. Entirely distracting.

I stare at him when he lifts his head.