Page 64 of You Girl (The Lucky Girls 3)

“It was all Natalie,” Rachel says.

When Michelle looks at me, her face splits in a grin from ear to ear.

“I knew you had something hidden inside that begged for a release.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

Rachel and Michelle both roll their eyes at me.

“She’s modest,” Michelle says to Rachel.

“Her attitude will take her far, at least.”

“I’m still here,” I laugh.

They both look at me, smiles on their faces.

“Seriously, Nat. This is damn good. I’m going to need concept pieces from the back for these, and we might need to clean these drawings up a bit, but if we can settle on the designs by the end of next week, we can start drawing up patterns for them.”

“You want to run with the line just as it is?” I ask, surprised.

Rachel and Michelle both nod.

“Aren’t there more steps to the design process? Like, a second draft, or something?”

Michelle and Rachel exchange glances.

“Sometimes, we have to revisit the drawing board ten times, at least,” Rachel says. “But when magic like this happens, you don’t mess with it. You take it and run with it.”

I look at the drawing and smile. I feel like I’ve come alive.

“Thank you,” I finally say to Michelle. “For the opportunity to do this.”

“No, no,” Michelle says, waving her hand. “I think after seeing this, we should thankyou.” She turns to Rachel. “When can you get these sketches to Raven for approval?”

“We’ll take care of designs, doing all the angles to show off the whole outfit. As soon as that’s done, we’ll get these digital and send them through.”

Michelle nods. “Perfect.” She glances at me. “What are you working on right now? Besides this project.”

I frown and list the few administrative things I need to take care of.

“Compile a handover for me by the end of today. I want you on this full-time.”

I gasp. “Are you serious?”

“Honey, you’re worth far more to me as a designer if this is the type of work you come up with. Anyone can do the office work you’re busy with. But not everyone can make magic happen like that.” She points at the sketch pads.

“Thank you,” I say. I can hardly believe how well this worked out. I didn’t think that my art would ever amount to anything.

But this…I might be able to go in a whole new direction. And it would be doing something I love.

Michelle nods, and she and Rachel start talking about Paris, catching up. Michelle used to live there, and she asks Rachel about mutual friends, places that are still open and doing business, and other things. I don’t listen to all of it. I’m reeling, excited about this project, pleased that my ideas are so good that Michelle wants to submit them to Raven for approval.

Everything is changing in my life. It’s not only my love for art returning, and my career taking yet another amazing turn.

But with Mason, too.

It looks like things are finally looking up for me.

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