Page 44 of Ruthless Vengeance
“Rosa…”
It seems a little like tempting fate even just thinking about Marco and me getting married. We’ve had such a rocky start, and I feel like we’re only just finding our footing after everything that happened with Tommaso.
Of course, it’s something I’ve imagined, but maybe not for a while yet.
Rosa laughs as she nudges me with her foot. “What? It’s going to happen eventually.”
I shake my head, laughing despite myself as I imagine Rosa and Lila fighting over who gets to plan the wedding. It would be carnage, but also a hell of a lot of fun.
Rosa holds my hand. “Seriously, though. It would mean a lot to me if you made my dress. Besides, I bet you’d kill it.”
I swallow hard, my heart pounding as I consider the offer.
Designing a dress for Rosa’s homecoming would be a huge deal. I’m honored that she would trust me with something that I’m sure is very important to her.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
I take a breath and nod before I have a chance to talk myself out of it. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
Rosa squeals before throwing her arms around my neck and hugging me tightly. “This is going to be amazing! My friends are going to be so jealous. I bet they’ll all want you to make their dresses for the winter formal.”
I laugh. “Let’s just start with your dress and see how it goes.”
Rosa grabs the laptop from me and opens up a new browser. “I already have a Pinterest board with a ton of ideas.”
We spend the next hour going over styles and colors, and the excitement soon starts to outweigh the nerves as a vision for Rosa’s dress begins to take shape.
I can really do this.
That night after dinner,I snuggle beside Marco on the couch, trying to summon the courage to bring up the subject of fashion school.
50 first datesplays in the background, but I barely register what’s happening, too lost in my own thoughts to pay attention to the movie.
After spending time with Rosa this afternoon discussing dress designs, I can’t get the idea of going to fashion school out of my mind.
I chew on my bottom lip as I glance anxiously at Marco.
He is the epitome of relaxed, with his arm draped along the back of the couch and one ankle crossed over a knee.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous to bring it up. Marco will likely be on board with the idea, but speaking it out loud to him will make it real, and what if I find out I’m not good enough?
“Clara?”
I blink to find Marco staring down at me, his lips pressed together in a thin line.
“What’s going on inside that head of yours?”
Just say it.
I inhale deeply as I stare into his deep, brown eyes. “So… I was thinking about something today.”
“Yeah?” He raises an eyebrow.
I nod, twisting my fingers together as I find the courage to speak my dream out loud to him. “About fashion school. I… I think I want to go.”
Marco is quiet for a moment, watching me with that unreadable expression that always makes my stomach flip. But then hisfingers gently trail along the back of my neck, and I relax under his touch.
