All eyes fell on Anathea. The fact that Aspen complimented and criqued her meant she was no ordinary person!
They’d all assumed Anathea was just another pretty face. Only now did they y realize she was the brilliant floral designer whose work at the exhibition had received glowing reviews!
The change in their gazes was immediate, their earlier contempting way to respect and admiration.
As all eyes moved to Anathea, Natalie’s hands clenched into fists on her lap. She hadn’t anticipated Aspen publicly cautioning her while treating Anathea with nothing but warmth!
Resentment burned in Natalie’s gaze She darted a look at Gregory, reading his response. He barely glanced at Amathea, his face indifferent, as it she were utterly insignificant.
Only then did Natalie exhale in quiet relief, though her glare at Anathea grew sharper with bitterness.
Meanwhile, a ripple of emotion passed through Anathea’s eyes at Aspen’s words. She remained still until she noticed Aspen had left. After a hasty apology to those remaining, she sprinted after Aspen.
Noticing this, Evangeline hurried after her. Aspen stood waiting by the elevators.
“Ms. Langley!” Anathes called out.
Aspen tumed, her frown deepening at the sight of Anathea and Evangeline, both breathless and disheveled.
“How many times do I have to tell you?” she snapped. “Artists should carry themselves with some dignity. Yet here you are, a pair of hot messes five years later. You’re not trying to embarrassine, are you?”
still
Anathea and Evangeline exchanged a glance before lowering their heads, silently accepting the reprimand
“You.” Aspen pointed at Evangeline. “After all this time, you still can’t keep your mouth shut. No surprise someone nearly stole your slot with me. You brought this on yourself. And now you expect me to pencil you in? Yeah, I’ll have to think about that.”
“Come on, Ms. Langley, I know I screwed up! I’ll do better! Just give me another chance. Please, say yes.” Evangeline pressed her hands together in plea.
Aspen scoffed lightly. “We’ll see about that ”
“Understood! I won’t let you down, Ms. Langley!” Evangeline rushed to answer, afraid Aspen might change her mind if she waited even a heartbeat.
Anathea lingered to the side, quietly watching their exchange. The way Evangeline spoke to Aspen, who was notoriously hard to approach, so freely made it obvious they’d stayed in touch these past five years.
Meanwhile, Anathea hadn’t spoken a single word to Aspen all that time. And when she’d emailed Aspen, asking to meet, the reply had been cutting in its brevity-“Busy.”
So now, after finally catching up to Aspen, Anathea found herself standing speechless before her.
“What, one nice word and now w you’re too proud to even speak?” Aspen studied her.
Anathea quickly shook her head. “Ms. Langley, that’s not-”
“Then what is it?”
Anathea pressed her lips together. It wasn’t pride keeping her siler, but because she sensed Aspen was demanding more from
60, instead of justifying herself, she just dipped her head and murmured, “Ms. Langley, I’m sorry.”
She knew her past choices had disappointed Aspen, , and that mean she had no right to ask for forgiveness.
+25 BONUS
Yet, Aspen countered, “What exactly are you apologizing for? Do you imagine your departure cost me anything? I lost nothing. You were the only one who paid that price.”
Her gaze remained unflinching “Keep your regrets. You chose the path.”
The words landed like a pitch. Aspen wasn’t wrong. Every consequence had been of Anathea’s own making
“still, I’ll admit it’s good to see you retuming.” Aspen’s hand rose pat Anathea’s shoulder in that old, familiar gesture.
It was just like she’d done years before, when Anathea had won fi prize at the International Floristry Competition.
