“Are you giving me advice?” Paolo asked. “Or yourself?”
The dressing room door opened with a graceless bang, and the man of the hour stepped out.
My sharp inhale matched Paolo’s, and I couldn’t help but blink twice to make sure this was the same man. Gone was the t-shirt and baggy jeans. Though his hair was still a disaster, Lachlan looked like he’d walked off the cover ofGQ.
“Paolo, you sure do good work,” I whispered.
My childhood friend’s gaze traveled from Lachlan’s head to his toes. “So does the Lord God Almighty.”
Lachlan wore snug-fitting pants, an indigo button-down shirt that contrasted brilliantly with his red hair, nubuck loafers that shined, and a belt that probably cost more than my entire outfit. A cardigan dangled from the crook of his finger, while a hesitant smile played at his lips. “A chunky sweater?” he asked. “Are we sure?”
Paulo rested a hand over his heart as he took it all in. “Oh, yeah. We’re sure.”
It was nerd chic, hipster elegance, and millennial marvelousness all rolled into one.
My heartbeat thudded against my ribcage and goosebumps skittered across my skin. I was having a hot flash, a temporary moment of insanity, a blip in my well-ordered universe.
The iceberg in my chest dripped, and a piece of permafrost cracked straight off.
Lachlan stood before me, then gave himself a nervous once-over. “Olivia? What do you think?”
With a shrug, I gathered my purse, stood, and gave a curt nod. “I think it’ll do.”
“I’m having another vision.” Paolo pressed his fingers to his head.
Lachlan draped the cardigan over his arm. “Let’s hear it.”
“Yes, I see it so very clearly. I was uncertain at first, but now I cannot deny the picture in my brilliant and fashion-forward mind.” My friend opened his eyes and studied Lachlan one more time before aiming his shrewd gaze pointedly in my direction. “I see two people who will go through much. They’ll laugh, they’ll cry, they’ll even deny what’s in their hearts.”
“Ugh, please stop,” I told him.
Paolo’s fingers returned to his temples. “But in the end, Olivia dear, do you know what’s left?”
“The ten percent discount you’re going to give us for suffering through this performance?”
“A happily ever after.” Paolo smiled and nodded his head with certainty. “That’s what I see.”
ChapterTwenty
OLIVIA
Lachlan
Let the record show I like my long hair and beard. Lots of people like my beard.
Olivia
Like the woodland creatures that occasionally nest there?
Lachlan
Are you sure it all has to go?
Olivia
The world needs to see your face.
Lachlan
