Nicole was too flabbergasted and thrilled to respond to this fantastic news. She didn’t know which was more thrilling—designing a gown with him or the fact that he had referred to it as their first one. Somebody pinch her; she was going to codesign a gown for a fashion show with Alexander James!
“Wow.” She wasn’t aware of speaking out loud, but Alexander’s chuckle informed her she had.
“I hear Monique asked you to move in with her.”
“What?” Nicole blinked rapidly at his change in subject.
“I said I heard that Monique asked you to move in with her.”
“Oh. Yes, she did.”
“She told me you refused to relocate until the weekend because of work,” he continued.
Nicole groaned. “I wish she hadn’t said anything to you.”
“Why?”
“Because...” She faltered, unwilling to finish verbalizing her reasons.
“You thought I’d make a big deal if you asked to take the time off to move,” he correctly completed for her.
“It’s not a problem,” she quickly guaranteed. “I’m fine with moving over the weekend, Mr. James.”
“Alex,” he reminded with a smile.
“Alexander.” She opted for the full version instead. “I don’t expect nor do I want any special privileges.”
“And you won’t get any,” he quickly assured. “Nicole, you’ve relocated from another country. You’re entitled to time off to move. Leave here at two today, and get yourself situated at your new place.”
“But...”
“That’s an order,” he commanded in mock sternness. “Just make sure you’re here bright and early in the morning.”
“I will be,” she promised as he stood. “Thank you, Mr.—I mean, Alexander.”
“You’re welcome.”
He studied the designs she had been working on before he interrupted her. “That’s nice. You’re working on a variation of this?”
“Two. Monique wanted one with a different top and another with a longer skirt.”
“Why don’t you also do one that shortens the hem by half an inch and add a slight flare to the skirt?”
“I will.”
“What type of material are you thinking of using?”
“It’s meant for casual wear, so I was entertaining jersey knit for freedom of movement and ease of care.”
“Good choice.” His eyes strayed to her desk to the pictures arranged there. “Your family?”
She followed his eyes and smiled. “Yes.”
“May I?” He pointed toward the wedding photo showing them all.
“Please.” She handed him the photo.
“Your brother’s wedding?”
“Yes.” She waited for a snide remark, and when none came, she relaxed and pointed everyone out. “That’s Nathan and Marcy. That’s my sister Natasha and her husband, Damien—who’s Marcy’s brother.” She paused and glanced at him. “Are you following me?”
“Yeah, I think so.” He chuckled. “There wasn’t a brother free for you?”
“Nope, the Johnsons were fresh out of siblings.”
“Are you sad about that?”
“No, I don’t need to be fixed up. I’ll find my own man when I’m ready.” How had the conversation taken such a personal turn? It was too weird and very uncomfortable talking to her boss about finding a man to settle down with.
“So you’re not ready now?”
“No, I’m focused on establishing my career.”
“That’s commendable.”
She purposefully refocused his attention to the photo and concluded. “That’s my mother, father and Marcy and Damien’s parents.”
“And you.”
She smiled. “And me.”
“You have a nice-looking family.”
“Thank you.” She took the photo from him and replaced it on her desk. “I love them.”
“It shows when you talk about them.” As if sensing she was missing them, he changed the subject. “The wedding dress is beautiful. Who designed it?”
“I did,” she proudly proclaimed.
“You?” At her nod, he picked up the picture again. “It’s really lovely.”
“Thank you.
“What about the bridesmaids’ dresses?”
“Me again. I even made them.”
He whistled in admiration at her statement, and she felt ten feet tall.
“You sew, too?”
“Since I was nine.”
“That’s damned good work, Nicole.”
“Thank you again.” This was turning out to be a fabulous day. “I’m not used to so many compliments from you.”
“Get used to them,” he suggested.
He stood and walked away without another word, and Nicole shook her head in confusion. That man was a whirlwind of unpredictability.
He had certainly changed her opinion of him in record time. It seemed he could be both human and appealing when he wanted to. But she wasn’t sure which Alexander she preferred—the gruff one who set her teeth on the edge, or the likable one who she longed to get to know better—and not in a professional way.
* * *
Nicole left work at two and changed into faded jeans, a red “I Love NY” T-shirt, a denim jacket and sneakers. Monique had gone home to change and was meeting her at the hotel at three. Thankfully, the move wouldn’t involve any furniture, just clothes, though Nicole had a lot.
She hadn’t unpacked most of her bags, for which she was grateful. She stood in the middle of the sitting room, where she had gathered almost everything, and groaned at the rather large pile in front of her. A few bags were still in her hotel bedroom. Goodness, had she really packed this much stuff?
She was shaking her head in self-recrimination when someone knocked on her door. Expecting Monique, she opened the door and gasped in shock when she found Alexander and Victor dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts and light jackets.
“What are you two doing here?”
“We’ve come to make amends for our faux pas earlier.” Victor glanced at the pile of her belongings inside the room. “Looks like you can use our help.”
“You don’t have to help me move.” Nicole directed her words to the silent Alexander. “I’m sure you have better things to do with your day.”
“We want to.” Alexander finally spoke. “May we come in?”
“I’m sorry.” Nicole stepped aside to allow them in. “Come in.”
“Is this all that’s going?” Victor pointed to the stack of luggage piled on and beside the sofa.
“Most of it. There’s some more in my bedroom.”
“I’ll start on these. Alex, why don’t you see what’s in the bedroom?”
“All