Calla set the photo down when the studio door opened again.
Calla: You were told to leave.
Roman: I left. Then I turned around.
The assistant stepped in front of him, and Roman went around her like she was not there.
Roman: Five minutes.
Calla: One.
Roman: I was wrong. At the winter show. In front of all those people.
Roman: I shamed you because I was afraid you had power over me.
Calla: You had a microphone and a crowd. I had blood on my lip.
Roman: I'm not here for the contract. I came back to make amends.
Roman: Tell me what to do, and I'll do it.
Calla: Anything? In front of my staff? Say it again, louder.
Two assistants had stopped working. One stood by the racks with a tape measure in her hand.
Calla: Go on, Roman. Tell them what you did.
Roman: I lied about her. I called her a thief.
Roman: I called her a warm body. I said she was nothing without my name.
His voice cracked. The assistant by the door did not look away.
Calla: Good. Now they know what kind of man comes crawling back.
Roman: I'm not asking the press for anything. I'm asking you.
Calla: You don't get me. You don't get my son.
Roman: Our son.
Calla: Jamie is not yours.
The lie came out smooth. She had said it to herself for four years.
Roman's face went pale, then red.
Roman: You can lie to me. But I saw his eyes. I can make this very bad for you.
Calla: Is that a threat in my own studio?
Calla: Say it again. My lawyer loves witnesses.
Roman: I don't want a lawyer. I want the truth.
Calla: The truth is you fucked me over in front of the whole city.
Calla: You don't get to come back and play daddy.
Roman: I know what I was. A bastard. I'll pay for every year I missed.
Calla: You think a check makes Jamie yours?
Roman: I think nothing makes him mine. That's why I'm asking.
He stepped closer. She should have stepped back. She didn't.
Roman: Tell me what you want.
Calla: I want you to shut up.
Her hands fisted his shirt and pulled him down. The kiss was hard and rough.
His mouth was hot on hers. For one second she kissed him back like she wanted to hurt him.
She broke the kiss and shoved him back. His lips were red.
Calla: That was a kiss. It was not forgiveness.
Roman: Calla.
Calla: Jamie is not yours. Get out.
Roman: I'm not giving up.
Calla: Then wait outside. You're not coming in.
She pointed at the door. The assistant opened it.
Roman walked out under the stares of her staff.
His chest felt hollow, but he made himself one promise.
He would prove it. Not with words.
With everything.