Page 134 of Embracing the Change

Her eyes turned into sea-green flames of excitement. “Seriously?”

“Of course,” I replied. “I’d love it, dear. Neither of my girls are particularly interested. Mika will go at a push, if she’s not busy with a project. You’ll be granting one of my greatest wishes.” I leaned toward her. “I’ve always wanted to share my love of fashion with someone.”

“I would really, really, really love that,” she whispered.

Yes, I could see she would.

She would also really, really, really love to share something with the woman in her father’s life. Something that was ours. Something that we’d have forever. Something she could have with a woman in her life who was older than her, who could mentor her, who could be there for her when a woman like that was needed.

It took everything (and I mean everything) not to burst into tears that she was giving me this honor.

Once I locked that down, I declared, “Then, it’s done. Fashion Week is in September. I’ll start getting the invitations very soon. When I do, we’ll go over them and decide which ones we want to attend.”

“Oh my God, that would be awesome,” she breathed.

It would be.

It would be everything.

For both of us.

“And you also must come over and go through my closet with me. I’ll show you my favorite pieces and share why they’re that,” I invited.

“Oh man, I need to do that,” she stated. “I just…I don’t know. I can’t seem to get a lock on what’s me.”

“Darling, that takes years,” I reassured her. “I’ll show you pictures when I was in my early twenties.” I shivered, largely and genuinely. “I wouldn’t admit this to just anyone, but I owned several”—I leaned in again and went on in a dire voice—“tracksuits.”

Jamie’s beautiful girl burst out laughing.

Watching her, my work, in that moment, I knew was done.

But I also knew our conversation meant I had a job with Dru for the rest of my life.

And I couldn’t wait to dive in.

Once I went over this loveliness in my head two or three times, and after sitting in the gridlock without moving for twenty minutes, considering I was done for the day, it was sunny and lovely outside, I told my driver to head home, and I’d walk from there.

I’d gotten out, made my way to the sidewalk, and barely traversed a full block before I heard my phone vibrate in my bag.

I pulled it out, looked at the screen and took the call from my Allegra.

“Hello, dearest,” I greeted.

“Hey, Mom,” she replied.

“You’re well?”

“Um…kind of.”

My step slowed. “Kind of?”

“Okay, I know I shouldn’t tell you this, but I am because I think you should know, but I can’t unless you promise not to tell Val.”

“I can’t make promises about something I don’t know.”

“Mom—”

“Allegra, you know I’ll be appropriate, especially when it comes to you children. Out with it.”

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