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Chapter Twenty-Eight

"I think we should use the girl leaning against the sail instead of the bike," I say, looking between the two photos in my hand. "The boat seems so much more relaxing for this particular piece."

"And the title?"

"How to achieve ultimate serenity in ten simple steps," I say, looking at Hugh, my new assistant. He smiles, nodding.

"I'll tell them."

"Thanks," I murmur, taking a seat in my office chair. My space is twice the size of my old one at the New York Chronicle. Culture magazine offered me the job on the spot, despite Abigail's best efforts to keep me from any good positions. And I'm at my happiest here, which isn't much now-a-days but hey, I stay till late, get my work done and the bosses are happy.

"Am I picking up your dress for the event and bringing it here or to your apartment?"

I lick the end of an envelope, looking around for stamps. "Here. I'm gonna be working late tonight." Hugh sets down multiple stamps before me and I smile wide. "What would I do without you?"

Hugh smiles, shrugging. "Fall apart? The world would cease to move?"

"Exactly," I hum, scrunching my nose. He turns, reaching for my dry cleaning ticket.

"Are you wearing the Dolce?" he asks, at the door. I grin and he whistles.

"World, look out!"

                                            * * * *

"It's just a small event, I shouldn't be out too late," I murmur, slipping on my heels. The entire department space is dark apart from my office.

"Come to my place afterwards," Danny says, gently. I bite my lip, standing.

"I think it will be too late. I have an early day tomorrow with-"

"Em."

"What?"

"I've known you a long time. I know when you're bullshitting me."

"What is going on with you?" I ask, frustrated.

"It's not me, Emma. It's never what's wrong with me. You're distancing yourself. You have been for the past two weeks, since you found out about Matteo quitting his job."

"I have not. We see each other almost every day."

"The last time we slept together was a week and three days ago."

"Ah, you're counting?" I state, unamused.

"Hell yeah, I'm counting, Em. You're beautiful and I want you, all the damn time yet you never want to make any time for me!"

I click my tongue, about done. "I'll come over tonight, alright? Will that make you happy?"

"Ugh." He hangs up and I shake my head, stuffing my phone into my clutch, heading for the door.

                                          * * * *

"Danny's going to pinch himself when he sees you," Hugh says, adjusting his tie beside me as we walk into the event room. It's for the Spring fashion page, a fundraiser or something. I don't know. I smile, taking his hand as he twirls me.

My gold gown, white gold, is figure hugging to the floor. It trails behind me just enough to not look like wedding material. It's simplistic, held by thin straps and I don't have to wear a jacket anymore thankfully, now that we're approaching New York's hot months.

"He's not coming."

"Really? He always wants to come to these things with you."

I glance pointedly at him and he gasps, pointing at me. "You didn't invite him, did you?"