Chapter 58 #2
“I’d really appreciate her opinion. She had a good eye when we were in Italy, and we’re having a debate downstairs.”
My eyes drift between the two of them.
Oh, hell, now Elise is lying for me.
“Brooke?” He turns to me.
“Er, yes. Umm, that would be great,” I say, turning to Elise and smiling.
Which isn’t a lie.
“You don’t have to, if you don’t want to,” he says.
“No, I’d love to. It’s just these reports,” I say, motioning to the paperwork piled next to me, most of which is already done.
“Half an hour is not going to derail you,” he says. “Take a break. You deserve it.”
I stand. “If you’re sure.”
“Absolutely.”
I move to forward the desk phone to my mobile.
“Don’t bother, I can answer the phone while you’re gone.”
What?
He smiles. “Go.”
“We’re going,” Elise chuckles. “Come on, take it as a win.”
I grab my bag as I step around my desk.
“I’ll see you in half an hour,” I say as Alex heads towards his office.
He turns. “Don’t panic if it’s longer. I know how these discussions can go, remember.”
He re-enters his office, closing the door behind him.
I stand and stare.
“Come on,” Elise says, tapping my arm.
We make our way downstairs and into her office.
She wasn’t kidding when she said samples had arrived. They’re spread out all over her desk.
“Take a seat,” she says, throwing aside the stack of glossy fashion magazines that was on the chair.
I drop down, clutching my hands together in my lap. She clearly hasn’t outed me yet, but is this a warning that she’s about to do so?
“That was some impressive work I saw last night,” Elise says, staring across her desk at me.
“Er… thank you.”
“Debra has no idea you work here?” she asks.
“Not before last night. Does she now?”
“No,” she says. “I guessed from the look of horror on your face when I walked in, it was a secret you wanted to maintain.”
“Thank you.”
“You never mentioned you were interested in fashion design. Although maybe I should have guessed. You had a natural flair in Italy.”
“Italy sparked my interest. Working here, being surrounded by fashion all day, every day…”
“I get it, I really do. My first weekend job was working in a department store, selling mass-market fashion. I was hooked after a couple of weeks, helping women find the perfect outfit. They moved me to their stylist service within a couple of months. Until that point, I’d been rudderless, about to finish high school with no idea what I wanted to do with my life. ”
“I feel at home with clothes and fabrics,” I admit.
“Chrissie said she’s never seen a PA with such great taste. She’s usually forced to coordinate outfits for the secretarial pool.”
“I had Callie,” I say.
She tuts. “Don’t put yourself down. She said that it was all you.”
Sitting back, she crosses her arms over her chest.
“Does Alex know?”
I drop my gaze. “About night school? No.”
“May I ask why?”
Why? Because it’s yet one more lie I’m keeping from him. Because I don’t want Sophia finding out, or Alex thinking I only took this job to fast-track my way into the company.
“I don’t want him to think there’s a conflict of interest, or that I’m unable to do my job because I’m distracted,” I say.
“I’m also not sure I’m going to be able to continue, what with work commitments.
I’ve already missed a couple of classes because I’ve needed to work late.
I’m not sure how I ever thought I’d manage it.
I’ve spoken to Debra, and she’s looking into switching me to the online course.
I’ll miss Andie, but I’m not sure how else to do it. ”
“Are you happy working as a PA?”
I lift my eyes to hers. “I am.”
“You know we offer internships?”
My chest lifts as adrenaline rushes through me.
An internship at St Clair.
Is Elise for real?
“Think about it. If what I saw last night is anything to go on, we’d be lucky to have you.”
“I… I don’t know what to say,” I admit.
Why does life have to be so cruel?
Nine months ago, this would have been my dream. I’d have bitten the hand off anyone offering me this kind of opportunity. But right now, I have more than enough to juggle.
“Think about it,” she adds, opening her drawer and pulling out a folder, holding it out towards me.
I take it, opening it.
“It’s a design brief. One we give to our interns. I’d be interested to see what you produce,” she says. “If you do find night classes too much, complete this. I can probably help.”
“But…”
She holds up her hand. “This can be your assignment for my module. You can turn it in when the others hand in their official assignments. I spoke to Debra, and she’s happy for me to give it to you.”
“I’m overwhelmed,” I admit, trying to hold my voice steady.
“Brooke, you clearly have a lot of natural talent. I’d hate to see it wasted. There’s no pressure. I simply want to see what you can do with it.”
I nod. “Okay.”
She grins.
“Great. And Brooke, I won’t say anything to Alex. This can remain between the two of us for now. But I really think you should speak to him. Don’t waste your talent.”
“Thank you,” I say, getting to my feet. “I better get back upstairs.”
“Before you go, I’ll give you one of these.” She hands me one of the team’s design sketchbooks. “As it’s a company design brief, I’d better follow company policy.”
I grin, taking the beautiful sketchbook from her. “Thank you. And thank you again for not saying anything.”
“You’re welcome. Think about what I’ve said.”
I nod before turning and letting myself out, heading to the elevator.
Alex’s door is still closed when I get back.
I open my drawer and pull out a new file, writing Brooke Notes across the top, before sliding the brief and sketchbook inside.