“So you saw me, but you didn’t come talk to me. And now here you are, weeks later, asking me to work on your condo. Why is that, exactly?” I
accepted my drink as it arrived and took a long pul .
“I wanted to talk to you, believe me. But I couldn’t. So much time had passed. Then I realized you worked for Jil ian, who a friend had
recommended to me, and I thought, ‘how perfect.’” He inclined his glass toward mine for a clink.
I paused for a moment, then clinked him. “So you’re serious about working with me? This isn’t some kind of ploy to get me into bed, is it?”
He looked at me evenly. “Stil direct as ever, I see. But no, this is professional. I didn’t like the way we left things, admittedly, but I accepted your
decision. And now here we are. I needed a decorator. You are a decorator. Works out wel , don’t you think?”
“Designer,” I said quietly.
“What’s that?”
“Designer,” I said, louder this time. “I’m an interior designer, not a decorator. There’s a difference, Mr. Attorney Man.” I took another sip.
“Of course, of course,” he replied, signaling for the waitress.
Surprised, I looked down to find my glass empty.
“Care for another?” he asked, and I nodded.
As we smal talked for the next hour, we also began to discuss what he needed in his new home. Jil ian had been right. He was pretty much
asking me to design his entire place, from area rugs to lighting fixtures and everything in between. It would be a huge commission, and he’d even
agreed to let me photograph it for a local design magazine Jil ian had been wanting me to submit to. James came from a wealthy family—the
Browns of Philadelphia, don’t you know—and I knew they must be footing the bil for most of this. Young lawyers didn’t make enough to afford the
kind of place he had, let alone in one of the most expensive cities in America. But trust funds live on, and he had a large one. One of the perks of
dating him in col ege had been that we could actual y afford real dates, not just cheap takeout al the time. I’d enjoyed that aspect of being with him.
Not gonna lie.
And I would enjoy that aspect of this project. A basical y unlimited budget? I couldn’t wait to get started.
In the end, it was a nice evening. As with al old flames, there was a feeling of knowing, a nostalgia you can only share with someone who has
known you intimately—especial y at that age when you’re stil forming. It was great to see him again. James has a very strong personality, intense
and confident, and I was reminded why I’d been attracted to him in the first place. We laughed and told stories about things we’d done as a couple,
and I was relieved to find that his charm remained. We could get along quite wel in a social setting. There was none of the awkwardness that could
have accompanied this.
As the evening wound down and he drove me home, he got around to the question I knew he’d been dying to ask. He pul ed the car to a stop in
front of my building and turned to me.
“So, are you seeing anyone?” he asked quietly.
“No, I’m not. And that’s hardly a question a client would ask me,” I teased and looked toward my building. I could see Clive sitting in the front
window in his usual post, and I smiled. It was nice to have someone waiting for me. I couldn’t stop myself from glancing next door to see if there was
a light on in Simon’s apartment, and I also couldn’t stop my tummy from doing a little flippity-flop when I saw his shadow on the wal and the blue light
of his television.
“Wel , as your client, I’l refrain from asking those kinds of questions in the future, Ms. Reynolds,” He chuckled.
I turned back to face him. “It’s okay, James. We passed designer/client relationship a long time ago.” I felt triumphant as I saw a blush carve a
chink in his careful façade.
“I think this is gonna be fun.” He winked, and it was my turn to laugh.
“Okay, you can cal me tomorrow at the office, and we’l get started. I’m gonna fleece you blind, buddy, Get ready to work that credit card,” I
taunted as I stepped out of the car.
“Oh hel , I’m counting on it.” He winked and waved goodbye.
He waited until I was inside, so I tossed another wave his way as the door closed. I was glad to see I could handle myself with him. Upstairs, as
I turned the key in my lock I thought I heard something. I looked over my shoulder, and there was nothing there. Clive cal ed to me from inside, so I
smiled and stepped in, scooping him up and whispering softly in his ear as he gave me a tiny cat hug with his big paws around my neck.