Page 54 of The Exposed Heiress

They’d discussed the same topic many times. They didn’t agree. She wanted the collection to stand on its own merit at Fashion Week. He wanted her to court the media.

Emma placed her cup in the small sink. “We’ve practiced it enough. I should be able to handle it.”

He leaned over and kissed her again. She could feel her body softening.

Reaching up, she threw her arms around him. “I wish you had this morning free.”

He hugged her and her body began to tingle. Abruptly, he stepped back and untangled himself from her. “You’ll be fine. I’m meeting with a new client this morning.”

Kissing her one more time, he left without looking back.

She shouldn’t cling. Leo had given up his privacy to allow Francis Bolles to occupy the main floor and the first level. He had been supportive and helped her with every detail of the move.

A short while later,Claire and Jane came through the main door and Emma was kept busy. Most of the orders had been placed to begin building up their inventory, but there were a few more pieces to source.

After an early lunch, Emma went upstairs to her private studio to continue working on one last design for Fashion week. The one-of-a-kind red gown was meant to draw attention and spark interest. The buzz coming out of Fashion Week had the potential of putting them back on the map.

At two o’clock, Claire knocked on the door and came in. “The reporter fromThe Independentis here. A man named Jack Simon.”

Emma put down the fabric she’d been cutting. “I didn’t leave myself enough time to change.”

“You look perfect, Emma. They want to capture the real Emma Bolles, anyway.”

She walked into the adjoining bathroom and checked her appearance. Her hair looked presentable in the tight bun, but she needed lipstick. “I’m going upstairs for a moment to touch up my makeup. Can you offer him tea or coffee?”

“Absolutely.”

Emma checked her phone. Leo had texted,running late but be there soon.

Taking the elevator up to Leo’s flat, she found her makeup bag and reapplied mascara and lipstick.

Looking at her appearance in the mirror, her white sleeveless silk shirt and grey cropped dress pants looked fine. The last thing she wanted to do was answer a series of unsettling questions.

Taking a deep breath, she left his flat and went downstairs.

Coming off the elevator, she saw two men waiting in the lobby. Claire was saying something but they both turned to look at her.

“Ms. Bolles, I’m Jack Simon and this is my cameraman, Alfred.”

Getting closer to them, Emma extended her hand. “How nice to meet you.”

Jack shook her hand but didn’t meet her gaze.

Turning she offered her hand to Alfred and he put the camera in his other hand and passively shook her hand.

“Would you like to come into the studio? We set up a place for the interview.”

Jack glanced at his phone. “Alfred will let us know where the light is best.”

Emma looked at Claire. Her assistant held her hands up and shrugged.

Making a conscious effort to keep her tone light and friendly, she said, “I’ll give you a few minutes to look around then.”

Motioning for Claire to come back to the lobby, she whispered to her, “Not the most pleasant people.”

“Maybe they have a looming deadline.”

“Can you let everyone know that we’re starting the interview, and they can take an hour break or use one of the spaces on the first floor?”

---