Chapter 15

Cherry

Seven Years Later

Afternoon light flooded my art studio as I traipsed up the stairs into the airy space. Maisy, my assistant designer, trailed behind me, slower as she gingerly ascended with a gown draped across her arms as though it were made of glass.

“Put it on the mannequin, and you can get on with the alterations this afternoon,” I said.

“Sure thing,” Maisy chirped.

My heels clicked over the hardwood floors, and I folded myself gratefully into my desk chair. I didn’t think I’d sat down all day.

My gaze tracked to the dress Maisy was draping over the mannequin. The striking burgundy gown was a bespoke number made for the actress AJ West. She’d requested me to make something for the BAFTA award ceremony she was attending as a nominee. It wasn’t for another month, and I was pleased with the fitting we’d just had with AJ and that the final alterations had been agreed on.

I slipped one foot out of my heels, massaging its arch with my other foot. The downside to designing