Page 90 of Crossing Lines

Aria: Agreed! You guys have undeniable chemistry.

I heart their messages and stuff my phone back into my purse as a pretty, stylish woman around my age greets us. She has an auburn bob and is wearing a pair of floral, wide-leg pants and a jungle-pattern crop top.

“Evren, nice to meet you.” She air-kisses him.

“Nice to meet you, too, Jade.” Evren takes a step toward me and says, “This is Nina, the woman I was telling you about.”

“I love your outfit!” Jade air-kisses me, too, and says, “Welcome to Lila Lark. My name is Jade, and I’m going to be your guide for the day.”

Evren places his hand on my lower back as Jade guides us through the bustling showroom.Mannequins stand tall,dressed in the latest creations full of lush fabrics and bold designs. The showroom is like stepping into a living, breathing piece of art.

Jade leads us around, explaining in detail Lila’s philosophy and what she was conveying for each piece. We pass by over-the-top gowns adorned with intricate beadwork and feathers to bold,statement-making suits in fun color combinations like lavender and lime green. I look around in awe, still not able to comprehend that I’m actually here.

Evren listens intently to Jade and even asks questions, whereas I am too stunned to even think of a single thing to say.

Jade leads us to a hidden door, places her hand on it, and says, “Now it’s time for something truly special.”

Through the door we find ourselves a serene courtyard with another building on the other side of it.A small fountain trickles in the center, surrounded by lush greenery.It’s a peaceful oasis amidst the chaos of the city.

Jade leads us to the other building and says, “This is Lila Lark’s atelier.”She gestures towards the large,glass-filled building.“And this is where the magic happens.”

I gasp and Evren pulls me closer into his body before kissing the top of my head. “You happy?”

“Happy doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling,” I say.

He grins and Jade leads us into the atelier. A symphony of sewing machines and the soft chatter of seamstresses fill the air. Oh my God, is this real life?

“Quick, pinch me,” I whisper to Evren, my heart pounding with excitement. The energy of the room alone inspires me to create, to sketch design after design until my hands give up in exhaustion. “I need to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

He chuckles. “I promise this is real.”

“Thank you,” I say. “This is…extraordinary.”

“And here,” Jade says, leading us to an office with glass windows, “is where Lila creates everything.”

I peer through the window,watching as Lila-freaking-Lark sketches on a large whiteboard.Lila’s fifty-eight, but doesn’t look it. Today, her silver hair is covered with a wide-brimmed hat in a bold, geometric pattern. She’s paired that with a floor-lengthsilk dress in a mixture of colors and sequins that shimmer under the soft light of her office.Her fuchsia platform heels and statement necklace are literal perfection, and holy shit, it’s really her.

Jade opens Lila’s door and says, “Hi, this is Evren and Nina.”

Lila smiles and says, “Welcome, come on in. I’m Lila.” She extends her hand to me first and I’m trying hard not to fangirl right now.

“Hi,” I squeak, literally fucking squeak like a mouse.Jesus, is this how Elodie felt when she first met Stella? Because I’m freaking out and I’m pretty sure my knees are about to buckle,and my hands are sweating so unnecessarily. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve admired your work since you began, and you’ve inspired my own designs.”

I’m still shaking her hand like a dumbass, and I have to force myself to let go before I hyperventilate.

Lila laughs. “Why don’t you stay for a cup of tea? I’d love to hear more about yourself and your own designs.”

I glance at Evren and he says, “We’d love to.”

And that’s how I find myself sitting across from Lila Lark in her office with a cup of steaming tea in my hands. We talk about everything from the latest fashion trends to my own designs to running a business.Lila’s a fountain of knowledge,her mind a vast reservoir of information on everything from fabric composition to the intricacies of patternmaking.

The passion she has for her work is infectious.As she speaks,her brown eyes light up,and a contagious enthusiasm fills the room.She talks about her designs with such fervor,as if each piece were a beloved child.It’s clear that for Lila and myself,fashion is more than just clothing. It’s a form of expression,a way to tell stories and evoke emotions.

She shares anecdotes about her early days in the industry,the challenges she faced,and the triumphs she achieved.Her stories are inspiring,and they fuel my own desire to make this line for Evren’s team and thenafterwards perhaps branch out on my own.Lila’s passion is infectious,and it ignites a fire within me that I’ve never felt before.

When we’re back on the jet, I keep touching my face and the smile on it. Evren takes one of the seats and I immediately straddle his lap.

“You,” I say, “just made one of my dreams come true. It’s something that I never thought was even possible until now.”

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