14. Rosie
14
ROSIE
“ T hanks, team, for coming tonight, I think you’re really going to enjoy the art,” I say as we wait to be let into the DuPont Gallery. I wish Emily would have come, but she said she wasn’t up for anything like this just yet.
“I’ve never been to an art show before,” Adina, my assistant says.
“Me either,” Beth adds.
“My parents used to drag me to them all the time.” Helena moans.
“Poor little Miss Trust Fund,” Josie says, teasing Helena, who flips her off behind her hand which makes me laugh.
“Rosie, you made it. Daniel will be happy to see you,” Delphine says, greeting me warmly.
“Thought I’d bring my team, too, for support.”
Delphine cooly looks them over and tells us to have a good night.
“That’s interesting.” Josie gasps as we look around the room.
The art wasn’t what I was expecting, a curation of charcoal nudes. “Guys, I had no idea this was what the show was.” I giggle as my team stares at the various large pieces.
“Lucky there’s champagne,” Helena says as the waiter comes by, and we each grab a glass.
“Come on, I guess we should check it out,” I say.
“What the hell, twenty thousand pounds for a picture of a wrinkly old man’s dick.” Beth gasps as we stare at the image, trying to stifle our laughter because everyone around us is taking it seriously.
“We might be in the wrong profession,” Josie whispers as we try to fight another round of giggles.
“I’m going to give my congratulations to my client, I’ll be right back,” I tell the girls who nod and continue to whisper and giggle.
“Rosie, over here.” Ivy spots me from across the room and I head over to her group. “Nice to see you here,” she says, kissing my cheek.
“Thought I would show my support. I even brought the team with me. I thought it would be good for them to look at what is out there.” Pointing them out as they huddle together, I can see their shoulders shaking. “It’s an interesting first show for them.”
Alex chuckles as he greets me. “Don’t worry, we didn’t check either.” He grins over his champagne glass.
“Are people really going to buy pictures of saggy balls?” A dark-haired beauty who looks vaguely familiar asks as she walks up to our group. “I left Jasper looking at boobs, that will keep him entertained for most of the night.” She chuckles.
“Lauren, this is Rosie Hunt, one of my interior designers,” Ivy says, introducing me to her.
“I’ve seen you in the office when I’ve delivered the cupcakes,” Lauren says. Oh, that’s right, she’s the cupcake lady.
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you,” I say, shaking her hand.
“I see why you warned Daniel away from her, you are stunning,” Lauren states. Huh? I see from the corner of my eye that Ivy is shaking her head as Alex slaps his forehead, but Lauren doesn’t seem phased by what she’s said.
“Rosie, you came,” Daniel says as he spots me walking past. He walks up to me and kisses my cheeks tenderly and I hate that a shiver slides across my skin. I look over and see Lauren watching me like a hawk. “What do you think?” he asks excitedly.
“Interesting,” I say, biting my lip, which makes him smirk.
“It’s not for everyone, but people who are into nudes and charcoal drawings love it. We’ve sold half of the exhibition already.”
“That’s fantastic, I know how hard you have been working on it.”
He leans in and whispers, “I’m happy it’s almost over.”
“Daniel, can I talk to you for a moment?” An older gentleman ushers him away.
When I look back at the group, I see Lauren smirking.
“I’m going to go find my team,” I say, walking away. I find them moments later.
“Rosie, do you mind if we go early?” Adina asks.
“That’s fine, girls. Thank you for coming. Sorry it was a bust.”
“It was eye-opening.” Josie giggles.
“Leg opening you mean,” Helena adds as they burst out laughing again. Maybe it’s best they leave early.
“Have a good weekend, guys. I’ll see you next week.” When they wave me goodbye, I decide to walk around the room one last time before maybe heading out myself. I showed up and gave Daniel my support. I continue to browse the event slowly, making my way around, and when I turn a corner, I see Daniel kissing a gorgeous blonde.
Oh. Shit.
This is what you wanted. Let’s be friends, is what you told him last week. You literally drew a line in the dirt between the two of you. What did you expect, that he would wait around for you? The man is hot, rich, and charming. But tell that to my body, when my stomach drops, my cheeks burn bright red, and something like jealousy hits me.
I need to get out of here.
I push my way through the crowd and make it outside. Thankfully, no one is there, and I hold out my hand and hail a cab. I’m not sure why I’m getting upset over it, the man is single, and he can do whatever he wants. You just thought it wouldn’t happen in a week. I was hopeful. I knew it would happen but seeing it was a sucker punch. But this is good. The band-aid has been ripped off and you can push those unresolved feelings you have for the man deep down inside.
I make it back to my apartment without dropping a single tear. That’s progress.
“You’re back early?” Emily calls out in the darkness of the living room making me jump. I clutch my chest and try to still my rapidly beating heart.
“Yeah, it was charcoal nudes. Not my thing. Here, I grabbed a brochure for you,” I say, handing it to her. “I’m going to bed, I’m exhausted.”
“Thanks for this. And thanks for everything,” Emily says.
I still at the end of the room and turn back to where she is seated. “You have nothing to thank me for.”
“But I do. You’ve let me come in here and take over your flat with my sunflowers and art.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
Emily shakes her head. “I’m sorry I ever blamed you for that night, Rosie. I was scared and I took it out on you. Please, forgive yourself, because I do.” Tears well in my eyes and I rush toward my best friend and hug her. “I’m sorry I ever made you feel responsible. I’m so sorry, Rosie.” We both hug and cry, each of us needing the other, and the scar that had formed over my heart from that night seems to have finally healed itself.
Emily and I grab popcorn and some wine, snuggle into the sofa, and spend the rest of the night watching old movies until we both fall asleep.
Waking up in the middle of the night on the sofa, I head to the bathroom and then to my bed. I notice I have a couple of messages on my phone as I sit there scrolling on the toilet.
Daniel: Hey, I’m having an after-party. I tried looking for you, but Ivy seems to think you have left. I’m sorry I missed you.
Then he sent another an hour after that.
Daniel: If you’re still up, we are celebrating at my place. I’d love for you to be there.
I leave him on read and head to bed.
My phone beeps and wakes me up, when I look over, I see it’s a message from him.
Daniel: My head hurts this morning. I think I drank too much champagne celebrating. The exhibition sold-out, can you believe it?
Rosie: Congrats.
Daniel: You’re alive. I’ve been worried as I haven’t heard back from you. I missed you last night.
Bullshit.
Did he sleep alone? You shouldn’t care. I don’t care. Maybe a little.
Rosie: Didn’t want to leave Emily alone for too long.
I feel bad for using my best friend’s heartbreak as an excuse.
Daniel: How is she?
Rosie: She’s getting there.
Daniel: I was going to see if you were free to come check out the cottage today.
He wants to go to his cottage today. What about Blondie? Has he already kicked her out of bed?
Rosie: Don’t think the team can get together at such short notice.
Daniel: Maybe you and I can go?
Daniel: Or bring Emily.
Rosie: I don’t think I can swing today, sorry.
Daniel: Of course. It was last minute. Hope you have a good weekend. Talk next week?
Rosie: Sure.
I haven’t spoken to Daniel all week. I’ve been dodging his calls and telling him I’m too busy for a catch-up. Yes, I’m a coward, but I don’t know what to say or how to act now around him.
“Knock, knock,” Ivy says, knocking at my office door.
“Oh, hi.”
“Do you mind if we have a chat?” she asks.
I shake my head as she walks in and closes the door behind her. Is she going to ask me about Daniel? No, why would she? Lauren seems suspicious of the two of us. And she did say Ivy warned Daniel away from me. They must have talked about it as she wasn’t there at the gallery when it was said.
“I need a huge favor. Do you have plans tonight?” Ivy asks me.
“No,” I answer hesitantly.
“Do you mind taking my place at the design charity gala tonight for me?” she asks, handing me the ticket.
“Of course.” I take the ticket from her. Who can say no to free food, booze, and networking? What am I going to wear?
“It’s black tie and I know it’s last minute, but go take the company card, buy a dress, shoes, whatever you need. Hair and makeup, too, my shout.”
That’s awfully nice. “You don’t need to do that, I’m sure I can find something.”
Ivy’s eyes narrow on me. “This is a great opportunity to network tonight, Rosie. You are representing Starr Designs, go grab something amazing for yourself.” I nod, if she insists. “Also, there’s something else. Can I tell you something in the strictest of confidences?”
“Of course,” I answer right away.
“You know my ex-stepfather is Pierre Lavigne …” she states. I nod because he is a legend in our field. “He’s asked me to come out to Dubai tonight for a meeting with investors who would like for me to open a Starr Designs office there. I thought this idea was years away, but apparently not.”
“No way. That is … oh my god, Dubai.”
“I know. I’ve never thought about opening international offices before. I mean, I’ve dreamt it, yes, but never thought it would happen,” she answers excitedly.
“Dubai would be a game changer. It is the fastest growing interior design market in the world.”
“I know, right? I mean, not like I don’t have enough on my plate already, but this opportunity is too big to not investigate.”
“Do it,” I tell her.
Ivy looks giddy and she should be. “I’m considering it.”
“Would you move to Dubai?” I ask.
Ivy shakes her head. “Pierre and I would help set it up. I’d be creating a new team from scratch, which leads me to ask, is that something that might interest you?” Me? “I mean, it’s early days, but with what Pierre is envisioning the office is going to be double the size of our London one. I’d assume Pierre and I would join people from our offices together while hiring new ones, too.”
I don’t know what to say. “You’d consider me?”
Ivy grins. “For sure. I would love to head into this meeting with an idea of who I could trust if they ask.”
I’ve never been to Dubai, I only know it from TV and my clients as I do have a lot who live there, and they spend their summers in London. “I’d consider it.”
“Brilliant. Got to run and get onto the next flight which leaves Heathrow in four hours.” Ivy stands and says her goodbye.
Guess my afternoon is now booked up.