Page 91 of If You Love Me

“It’s definitely good,” I agreed.

“This place is so nice. The food is good, the music is everything, and the aesthetics… oh my God. I would have loved to be the designer on this project.”

“The aesthetics is one of the reasons I brought you here. I knew you would love them. Speaking of aesthetics, how is it going with this client?”

“Amazing. She really didn’t have a vision going in, but I got her on track. Most of her pieces are being delivered on Monday, so I’ll probably have a long day with putting the spaces together.”

“I know you’ll make her very happy. I’m so proud of you.”

She smiled. “Thank you, baby.” She picked up her wineglass and took a sip. “I um… I have some news.”

“Oh?”

“So, a few weeks ago, Ms. Lacey asked me about taking over when she retires.”

“What! Baby, that’s an amazing offer. I know she’s like an idol to you.”

“Not an idol, just someone I admire and respect.”

“Are you gonna take her up on it?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a lot of pressure. She said she needed a protégé and before everything happened, she was going to train me to take over when she got ready to step down. She said I showed the most promise and reminded her so much of herself. Me, Tyrion. A powerhouse like Lacey Tommin wants me to take over her business when she retires. Out of all the people that worked for her, she wants me. What if I ruin everything she’s worked so hard to build?”

“You won’t.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know you. When you’re passionate about something, you give it your all. I’ve watched you do that since we were kids. How many times did you have me helping you move shit around in your bedroom when we were sixteen? I can remember at least three times that summer you had me and your dad breaking a sweat while you made us move everything around and paint walls until the room was perfect.”

She giggled. “Daddy complained about his back for days after that. Said he was never doing it again, but every time, he was right there.”

“I just think he didn’t want me alone in the room with you.”

“Maybe. He did tell me to make sure you weren’t after my goodies when we first started dating.”

“Little did he know, you were the one being hot in the ass.”

She laughed, slapping my shoulder. “Shut up!”

“You remember college and your dorm room? You made me drive you to every dollar store in the area to find shit to decorateyour suite with. Your suite was the only one that looked and felt like home. Then there’s the house. You remember how long it took us to get it together because everything had to feel right to you? When we were looking for cabinets and furnishings, you had to touch every single piece. You would close your eyes and picture them in the rooms, and if it didn’t fit the vision, you scrapped it.

“You have never been a person that goes off of what looks good. It has to feel good to you. That’s what makes you great at what you do.” I picked up her hand and kissed it. “That’s why when you take the job, because I know you will, you are going to succeed at everything you put your hands on. They will be saying,Lacey Tommin who? You ain’t heard of Evenie Lewis?”

She smiled as she squeezed my hand. “You’ve always been my biggest cheerleader.”

“And I always will be. You’ll be great.”

She did a little happy dance in her seat, and it was fucking adorable. I missed this version of her terribly. Evenie had always been my best friend. She was the one person I could unapologetically be myself with, no matter the time or space.

“What do you think Summer is doing?” she asked, taking another sip of her wine.

I chuckled. “I knew it was coming.”

“What! This is the first time I’ve been away from her since I’ve been home. I’m having withdrawals.”

“I’m sure she is fine. Just being spoiled by the other set of spoiling ass grandparents.”

“I blame you for that.”

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