Page 55 of Kept

Robert insists on showing off his “mad barista skills” and gives everyone a caramel latte. Michelle opens up an electronic sketch book and sets it to cycle through a series of dresses, showing both the illustrated sketch and photos of the dress on the mannequin.

“These are beautiful,” I tell her. “Do you guys design them yourselves?”

She nods. “Yes, my mother was a seamstress all her life, and I grew up in her shop. So when I graduated, I studied fashion design and business marketing. Now I do most of the designs and we split the sewing.”

“You’re both quite talented.”

“Thank you.”

I pause the screen on a pale blue satin gown. It’s strapless and draped slightly over the bust. The torso is shaped by corset bones, and the satin is gently gathered near the right hip. The dress is slit all the way to the gathering, but a small underlayer of matching blue lace is present under the apex of the slit, keeping it from being completely scandalous, but also almost risqué feeling, reminiscent of a flash of lace top stockings.

Robert peeks over my shoulder to see what I’ve been staring at. “Fucking yes, babe. That is you.” He snatches the tablet and hands it back to Michelle. She compares the measurements they took to the current dress to ensure it can be altered in time.

“Oh, this will be perfect,” Michelle says. “We should have it done in a couple of hours. I think the blue will really compliment your skin tone and hair, too.”

Her mother slides a pair of reading glasses onto her nose and eyes the tablet. She nods, mutters something in the other language, and then gestures towards the door. Michelle gathers their belongings and promises to give Marie a call when the dress is ready.

“Speaking of appointments, you’ve got a little time before the next round on the pamper parade.” Marie gives me a little wink. “So I’ll leave you two here. Robert, Leo will be in shortly to bring you back to your apartment. I know you need to get back to rehearsals.”

“Thanks, doll,” Robert says. We watch Marie slip out of the little cafe. “That woman is a force to be reckoned with, isn’t she?” he tells me.

“Oh, yeah.” I smile, finishing my latte.

Robert spins my chair so I’m facing him. I laugh.

“Sarah, are you good? You seem good, but are you good?”

“Yeah, I am. I don’t know what the hell is going on in my life right now, but I don’t hate it.”

“Okay. I’m sorry I got you into this. It was quite literally my fault. I distinctly remember the smarter one of us yelling ‘no, don’t go down the dark scary alley’.”

I nod sagely. “I’m glad you’re admitting I’m the smart one.”

Robert gives himself a dramatic facepalm. “I’m still sorry,” he says with a smirk. “Even though I’m pretty sure you’re having the best sex of anyone’s life. You have nothing to compare, so I had to open the floor to competition.”

“Jesus Christ, Robert! Stop talking about sex!”

Robert puts his palms up in a placating gesture. “Okay, okay, just remember to use protection, young lady!”

“Jesus, Robert. I get the shots!”

“Yeah, when you remember! I had to make the appointment for you and drive you last time.”

“Yes, mom.” I roll my eyes.

Leo appears in the doorway.

“Well, there’s my ride,” Robert says.

We hug again.

“You guys are going to kill it tonight. Call me after.”

“Thanks, doll.”

CHAPTER 28

Vincent

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