Page 73 of Even Ground

“Sam’s just showing me a dress. I’ve been telling her she’s more than talented to make something similar.”

She smiles. “I agree. I’m also interested to see what you come up with, given the fuss over the wedding dress you created. The fabric has arrived for your projects. So, go and take a look, and choose wisely. Good luck.”

It’s the first time I’ve seen Judith smile in a while. I’m never sure whether to trust it when she does. Although, I guess this is the project where some of our work goes on display in her retail store and she can show off her student’s progress.

As much as I don’t like her, I want one of those spots.

Sam grabs my arm. “Come on, let’s get in now.”

It’s all a bit crazy. Everyone has such different ideas, but Judith has given us some general guidelines and there’s a generous selection.

I gasp at the first things I lay eyes on. It’s a soft, royal blue crepe fabric, and there’s also a roll of a similar colour tulle with tiny pearls embedded in it. It’s the sort of thing I could make an evening gown for Delaney in, but in her absence, I’ll make one that fits me.

Smiling to myself, I grab the rolls and make my way back to my desk.

“You’ve made your decision already?” Judith asks.

I smile. “They’re all so beautiful, but it was an easy choice. I’m already planning what I want to do.”

Her smile is uneasy. It’s going to take a lot to get past her defences, but all I can do is keep on working and hope that my work speaks for itself.

By the end of the day, I have my design done and have started working on my pattern. It’s been a productive day, and I feel confident for the first time in a while.

Before I can go home, though, I still have to go to my part-time job. My student allowance covers my rent—just—but I work a few hours most evenings doing office cleaning to pay for all my incidental costs.

Things are tight, but manageable.

When Delaney sold the diner, she made sure I got a share of the proceeds, even though it was the inheritance from her grandmother which enabled her to buy it in the first place. That’s my nest egg in case things go bad. I haven’t had to touch it yet, but there have been times when I’ve come close.

It might as well be an eight-hour shift, I’m so tired. I love my study, but keeping under Judith’s radar while still learning what I can is exhausting.

By the time I’ve vacuumed and wiped down the kitchen, it’s nearly eight and time to go home. I miss my old life. The diner wasn’t easy work either, but once we had things up and running, it just happened. It wasn’t stressful, and Delaney and I had fun.

This isn’t fun.

I knew it would be hard, and I’m loving the learning that I’m doing. And one day, I’ll turn it into something more. I just have to be patient.

After my drive home, I throw myself on my bed and scream into the duvet. Another couple of days, and the term will end. I’ll have two weeks to take a break, though I don’t think I’ll go anywhere, as travelling costs money I don’t have.

My phone vibrates, and I open one eye to look at the incoming message.

Reece: Are you home? Want to talk?

No matter how tired I am, there’s no way I’m passing this up. It gives me a chance to ask him about the photos. I’m sure I can just slide that into the conversation.

I roll onto my back.

Me: Sure.

My phone lights up, and I’m glad he’s voice calling and not using video. I must look like shit.

“Hey.” I close my eyes, cradling my phone to my ear.

“Hey.” The deep rumble of his voice comes down the line. I’ll never get over that initial rush when we talk. Even after the past few months of us talking, there are times when I still can’t quite believe my life and that I’m talking to the Reece Evans.

Not that I’d ever tell him that. His ego’s big enough as it is.

“What are you up to?” I ask.

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