Page 75 of Love Like This

Hadley had already made her bed for the day, as she did within ahalf hour of waking up most any day of her life, but Spencer flopped down ontoit anyway, enjoying the scent that was all Had. She grabbed a pillow and heldit against her as Hadley dressed with the closet door open. “Talk to me,”Hadley said, as she selected a top.

“Have you heard of Claudette Fournier?”

Hadley slipped the top over her head and shimmied into it. IfSpencer weren’t in such a state of disarray, they’d have to pause this wholething for a quickie before work. She swallowed the always present impulse.Hadley studied her. “Everyone’s heard of Claudette Fournier. Why?”

“I had lunch with her yesterday.”

“Shut the front door and come back in and shut it again. You didnot.” Hadley’s attention shifted entirely to Spencer. She was half dressed forwork, wearing a chic designer black shell and blue yoga pants and flip-flops,straddling her worlds.

“It was the craziest thing. Dez, the business partner I told youabout? He set it up and made the introductions. But get this. She wants me todesign for Bertrand.”

Hadley shook her head and squinted as if not fully understanding.How could she? Spencer wasn’t sure she understood herself.

Hadley moved toward her, pants in hand. “She wants to bring you onboard? AtBertrand?”

Spencer nodded.

Hadley blinked as if the world had shifted. “That’s…amazing.That’s such a huge compliment, Spence. Do you understand the gravity ofClaudette Fournier recognizing the value in your work? Babe, this is awesome.”Hadley plopped down next to Spencer and took her face in her hands. “Big thingsare happening for you, and you deserve every minute of it. I want to kiss yousenseless in congratulations.”

“Claudette heard my name when Trudy dropped it. Trudy heard myname because of you.”

Hadley’s eyes sparkled. “Then I will happily pat myself on theback when I’m done making out with you.”

They shared a kiss. It meant everything to Spencer that Hadley wasso happy for her. But she didn’t yet know the whole story.

“Are you going to do it?” Hadley asked, tracing her jaw.

Spencer stood and put some distance between them. How was shesupposed to work in the next part with Hadley smiling at her, touching her? No,she needed courage to push through, and that meant space. “I don’t know. If Idid, there would be ramifications, which is why I’m here. To put the cards onthe table.”

Hadley squinted from where she sat on the bed. “Cards. What kind?”

“No deal with Silhouette if I take the job.”

For a moment, Hadley didn’t say anything. “Wait. That part’s adone deal. The order’s in and accepted.”

“Apparently there’s an out in the contract. Dez made sure, just incase.”

“But we planned all of our ordering for the season around yourline. We dedicated space for you. We’d be in an awful position. I would be.” Itwas Hadley’s thinking out loud voice, which she was entirely entitled to.

“I know.”

“Spence, no. You can’t pull the order now. It’s my neck on theline. I vouched for you with Trudy.”

“I know that part, too.”

Silence reigned. Hadley wrapped her arms around her midsection andnodded several times, lost in her own thoughts, working it all out like a mathproblem.

“Hadley.” Big blue eyes met Spencer’s. “This is not an easysituation for me.”

She nodded. “I understand. I’m just in a difficult spot myself.”

“What can I do?”

Hadley stood and faced her. “Honestly? Don’t pull the order. Iwent to bat for you.”

“Which I appreciate more than you’ll ever know, but this isbusiness, right?”

“It’s alsome.Don’t I deserve a little consideration?”

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