“Want to go draw at home?” she asked. “Your papa has bought you some wonderful crayons and color markers.”

The twins were delighted to escape the studio and cheerfully kissed Payton and Marco goodbye.

With the girls gone the studio took on a serious air and the photographer, model and crew got down to work. Payton liked what she saw as the photographer clicked away. The gorgeous model still wore the snug gown d’Angelo gown, dark crimson, tightly fitted, off the shoulder with plunging neckline. But now instead of lolling about, she looked positively playful as she lifted her hands to catch handfuls of scarlet confetti. No longer restrained, the model’s head was tipped back as she laughed in the bright red confetti rain.

“The marriage of old and new,” Marco said quietly, nodding his head in approval. “It’s the past and the future. She’s wearing d’Angelo’s signature scarlet gown and yet the confetti is fun.”

Payton glanced at him and smiled. “The glamour and elegance of d’Angelo with the boldness of the modern woman.”

“Exactly.”

Payton could tell from Marco’s tone that he couldn’t be more pleased and she felt a thrill of satisfaction. It was the first time she worked with him in years and yet it felt so natural.

It felt exactly right.

“Benissimo,” Marco said at the end as the photographers took their final shots. “I really like it. I think you’ve done it.”

They left the studio together. Twilight was settling over the city as Marco opened the passenger door of his Ferrari for her. “You must be hungry. We ended up working through lunch.”

It wasn’t the first time Payton had worked through lunch. “Is this a new car?” she asked, climbing in. Payton had always loved Marco’s cars. He took great care of them and the black Ferrari still smelled of expensive leather and the lingering spice of his cologne.

“It’s about two years old,” he answered, settling into the driver’s seat.

“I like it,” she complimented, shooting him a quick glance. A shadow of a beard darkened his jaw and a thick lock of hair fell forward on his brow. Her stomach did a flip. She still responded to him, still wanted to touch him.

Marco started the car. “Thanks again for your input. You were brilliant today. You did what I hoped you’d do.”

He shifted into drive and in minutes they were merging into traffic, heading back toward center of town. “What do you think of Maria?” he asked after a moment.

Maria had pretty much kept her distance, but Payton knew the fragrance director wasn’t happy having Payton intrude. “I think she’s still learning,” Payton said carefully.

“You mean she’s not a risk-taker.”

Payton hated to judge one of his staff members. Calvanti was an edgier house. D’Angelo had flair but tended to be more conservative overall. “I don’t know. I couldn’t get a feel for her.