Page 68 of French Martini

Candace blanches like she might pass out. “I’m low-key losing it right now. You’re my style icon, Mr. Ainsley.”

“Please call me Lowen, and that is so sweet. Thank you.”

“You don’t understand. I saw a layout of a courtyard you did for a castle in Scotland. Do you remember? It was almost ten years ago.”

“Yes. I remember. The Hight Castle.”

Candace smiles. “I fell in love and instantly knew that I wanted to make inspiring spaces like that too. Because of you I changed my major from business to design and I went to art school. I spent three years studying in Paris and seeing all of your work in person. Now you’re standing right in front of me. You’re the reason I have this career.”

I take her hand in mine, squeezing softly. “You’rethe reason you have this career. It’s your talent, vision, and drive that got you where you are. If I inspired you on any level, I’m humbled.”

She gives me a beaming smile. “You’re nice too. I wasn’t sure.” Her eyes go wide as she slaps a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud.”

I laugh. “It’s fine. I know I don’t have the warmest public persona.”

“Could I ask you one more thing?”

“Please.”

“If you could go back in time and tell your younger self anything, what would you say?”

The question takes me aback for a moment, but it’s brilliant. “I would tell myself to believe in my own vision and myinstinct because I’m gonna need that faith. The design world is glamorous, beautiful, and it’s amazing to be able to make a career doing it, but if you’re not careful, it picks away at you. Guard your soul, young one.”

Candace beams. “I’ll remember that.”

“Let me get your drink.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you having?”

“Whatever you’re having,” she says.

The bartender looks up. “Can I help you?”

“Can you make a French martini?”

“Yes, sir.”

“We’ll take four.”

After we get our drinks and say goodbye to Candace and her man, Oakley leans close and kisses my cheek.

“I always knew you were something special, but it’s amazing to see how people react to you.”

I shrug. “I suppose it’s nice that I still matter in this world. I worked hard, you know, and I thought he ruined it.”

“Why?”

“For a long time after the split, no one would ask me what I was working on. They only asked me questions about him. How I felt about his latest project without me, did I see his new arm candy, was I dating again. It was like they forgot I was a designer in my own right before I ever met him. I even had a few clients who expressed concern about my presence bringing unwanted attention because it felt like the paparazzi followed me everywhere.”

“I can’t imagine.”

“When Indy called me and proposed his wild idea, I don’t think I even hesitated. I didn’t know how to reclaim my life until he called. Coming back to America, doing small projects ina small town doesn’t feel like a downgrade at all. Instead, I’m remembering why I wanted to do this in the first place.”

“I owe Indy big time.”

Smiling, I lean into him, nuzzling his beard. “You and me both, big bear.”

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