“You already know me.”
“Not as well as I want to know you,” I say in her ear. “I intend to get to know every inch, every millimeter—intimately.”
She melts against me. “Why Milan, anyway?”
“That’s where Pablo is going to be, visiting his Italian operation. And there’s a big textile exhibition that a lot of designers go to that he thought you might like. He’ll take you around. He said it would be good to experience it, even if you don’t end up working together.”
The excitement on her face makes me laugh.
“You’ll go with us?”
“Er…no. I’ll work while you do that, and then you can tell me all about the latest tweeds or whatever. Did you have a good day anyway?” I ask. “It seems like these two did.” I ruffle the kids’ hair and they go running off into the living room.
“Yes, we went to the Natural History museum and then we baked you a cake when we got home, so you have to pretend it’s lovely even if it’s not.”
“The best kind of cake.” And I really think it is, no matter how many fancy pastries I’ve been served in award-winning restaurants.
CHAPTER 27
Holly
I’m nervous about meeting Pablo, but a meeting with him is like gold, and seeing how he views fabrics at a huge trade exhibition will be like a dream come true. I ask Reid if it’s okay to go home to get some of my own creations, which are more crazy fashion than practical for looking after kids. I need to look the part in Milan. I have my portfolio with me in New York, but I need to pick up my passport anyway.
“I’ll take you,” he says. “I need to talk to your dad before this goes any further.”
This thing with Reid has all happened so fast, it hasn’t crossed my mind what Dad might say. He likes Reid, I know he does, but does he like him enough to overlook the age difference between us? The jury is out on that one.
I’m nervous as a colt when we drive home after dropping off the kids at their grandparents’ house.
Reid stops the car at the door. “I’ll take the car around to the side of the house. Say hello to your Dad first, so at least you get to see him without him reading the riot act right away. I’ll be with you in a minute to break the news.”
I let myself in the front door. Dad gives me a hug. “Hey, Holly, babysitting seems to be suiting you. You’ve gotten color in your cheeks again.”
“Yes. I’m having fun with the kids.”
“You always got on well with the little rascals.”
“I’ve got some great news, too. Reid got me a meeting with Pablo in Milan. We’re going there this weekend to see if he’s interested in me for an internship. I came to pick up some things I need to take over there.”
“Fantastic! That’s great, but is that all you’re excited about?”
“Yes…”
He’s watching my reaction too closely. Does he know already? How?
“I watched Reid help you out of the car, and if he’s going with you to Milan… you’ve always liked him, haven’t you?”
There’s no point avoiding the subject until Reid gets here. “Yes, I have. I didn’t expect him to even look at me, but there’s never been anyone else for me.”
“Of course he’d look at you. I’m your dad, and I might be biased, but no one who knows you could fail to see how lovely you are, and I’m not just talking about looks.”
“Oh, Dad.” I give him a hug and kiss his cheek. “You’re not mad? I really think this is right for me.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m over the moon about it. Do you know how old he is? He’s only ten years younger than me.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I love him, Dad. I think I always did.”
Reid comes through the door just at that moment. Did he hear that? How embarrassing. It’s much too soon to talk about the L word.
“You know then,” he says to Dad. “We came to tell you. We’re not trying to sneak around behind your back.”
“So it seems,” Dad says. “I think you and I should have a few words alone, Reid. Holly, you wanted to pick up some things?”
I look from one guy I love to the other, not knowing what they will say to each other. I’m not sure if I want to be a fly on the wall with that conversation or not. But anyway, I leave them to it.
*
There are no raised voices or signs that they’ve had a fight by the time I come downstairs fifteen minutes later. They’re talking about football scores, of all things.
“Ready, Holly?” Reid says. “I guess we’d better get going. We’ve a lot to do before our flight.”