“Our Mason speaks very highly of you, Reid.”
“Yeah?” he said, prying his gaze from Nadia to smile at Asha. “Mason’s good people.”
“He says the same thing about you. He really values your friendship.”
Reid’s smile warmed. “The feeling’s mutual.”
Asha looked pleased. “Where are you and Nadia? Is that your house?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Reid answered.
“You have a very lovely home.”
“Thank you, Ms. Dubois.”
Asha smiled. “I understand you and Nadia will be spending the holidays in Canada. What part?”
“We’re staying at a cabin near Toronto.”
“Oh, how romantic,” Asha said, delighted. “Your first Christmas together.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Reid said, grinning broadly. “We’re looking forward to it.”
“Definitely.” Nadia was staring at Asha with awestruck eyes. “It just hit me that I’m talking totheAsha Dubois. I can’t believe it. I’m a huge fan of your work, Ms. Dubois. You’ve been such an inspiration to so many black women and girls. Thank you so much for agreeing to design my wedding dress. It’s such an honor and a privilege.”
Asha smiled softly. Though no stranger to flattery and fawning attention, she seemed genuinely touched by Nadia’s heartfelt words.
“Merci beaucoup,chére. Thank you for entrusting me to create the most important gown you will ever wear in your life. It’s going to be absolutely fabulous, I promise.”
Nadia beamed with pleasure and excitement, all but floating out of her chair. “Thank you so much,” she gushed. “I can’twaitto see it.”
Reid grinned. “Neither can I.”
“Ah, but not until your wedding day,” Asha admonished him, a warm glint in her eyes. “There’s nothing like that moment when you see your beautiful bride wafting down the aisle in her wedding gown. It’s priceless, darling, andsoworth the wait.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Reid said softly, giving Nadia one of those adoring smiles that would melt the heart of the most hardened cynic.
Samara felt herself grinning again. She could easily see these two as an old married couple, finishing each other’s sentences and sharing funny anecdotes between swapping tender glances.
“Do you have a game tonight, Reid?” Asha inquired.
“No, ma’am,” he replied.
“We’re having dinner with my brother and his girlfriend,” Nadia elaborated, “but that’s not until much later.”
“Well, I won’t keep you lovebirds too long. I just wanted to meet you and get a better sense of who you are.” Asha smiled at Nadia. “How tall are you,chére?”
“Five-five.”
“Hmm. Have you ever done any modeling?”
Nadia looked shocked. “Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Goodness, no.” Nadia laughed self-consciously. “I’m not modeling material.”
“You’re not tall enough for the runway,” Asha conceded with a languid smile. “But you could certainly do print work. You have an exquisite complexion and stunning cheekbones, and your lips are to die for. Truly, darling, you should count yourself lucky. Unlike many girls I work with, you don’t have to spend a fortune on collagen injections when you’ve been naturally blessed with a pouty pucker.”
