It was probably about the materials list, so M hurried to answer.


    "Have the sketches been finalized?" Jade asked.


    "Yeah, as soon as everything arrives, I can officially get started," M replied, stifling a yawn.


    "Do you want me to assign a few seamstresses to help? Alen?once takes ages, and handling it all alone might be too much."


    "It''s fine, I''ve got this." M hesitated, but ultimately declined with a smile. "I''m at my most energetic right now. Besides, this wedding dress is the biggest


    There was a pause on the other end. Jade caught the meaning in her words andughed softly. "Ambitious, aren''t you?"


    M chuckled in return.


    "All right then," Jade continued, "I''ll handle things with the royal family for now. The profit from this isn''t important. If you can, submit your work to the CFDA. M, go win that award."


    CFDA.


    The Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards-the Oscars of the fashion world-founded by the godmother of American fashion herself. It was one of the most prestigious honors a designer could receive, on par with Britain''s BFA, and among the most anticipated events in the industry.


    The money and resources that came with the prize were nice, but M wasn''tcking in those. What she needed was something else-recognition, proof that she truly belonged at the top.


    And the CFDA could give her that.


    As long as she took first ce.


    If the royal family''s invitation represented momentum, then winning this would make everything official-she wouldn''t just be independent; she''d be that much closer to the very top.


    M''s heart began to race.


    Clearly, Jade—already one of the world''s premier designers-was thinking far beyond her, and could see a future for M that was clearer and more ambitious than M dared to dream.


    M closed her eyes.


    "All right," she said.


    She''d go for it, and chase the summit.


    She''d thought Jade was just calling to talk business, but after that, they chatted about everyday things for a while. M was practically falling asleep and about to suggest they both call it a night, when Jade hit her with something that made M instantly wide awake.


    "One more thing-what''s going on with you and that Johnnie guy?"


    Who?


    M''s sleep-fogged brain creaked into gear, and within a couple seconds she was fully alert. Oh. The matchmaking thing.


    She stayed silent, but Jade didn''t let it go. "I already talked to Johnnie. He has a good impression of you-actually, he likes you. And you? It''s been ages and you haven''t given me an answer. If you''re not interested, just say so and I find someone else."


    She''d already talked to Johnnie?


    He hadn''t mentioned it... M smiled wryly. Truth was, with everything else piling uptely, she''dpletely forgotten about her and Johnnie''s little act to dy the family''s matchmaking mission. She hadn''t realized he was putting on such a convincing performance covering for her so enthusiastically in front of the elders. He must really hate these setups.


    But after that gift exchange, they hadn''t seen each other. Where did this "good impression"e from?


    Embarrassing as it was, the thought of keeping up this farce just wasn''t appealing anymore. She had enough on her te these days-and men were the least of her problems.


    She just wanted a little peace of mind.


    "Jade," M said carefully, "I''m about to start this new project and it''s only going to get busier from here. Honestly, I really don''t have the headspace for this right now..."


    "So you''re not interested," Jade cut her off, matter-of-fact. "You know how long I spent finding him? He''s handsome and well-rounded. Whatever, if you''re not into him, I''ll find another-there''s plenty out there."


    How many prospects had she lined up?


    M felt a cold sweating on.


    "Can''t I just not get married?" she pleaded.


    What she really wanted to say was, You never got married, Jade, so why are you


    so obsessed with my love life? But she didn''t dare; she didn''t want to upset her.


    And besides, she understood why Jade cared so much.


    Sure enough, Jade immediately replied, "No way. I''m not getting any younger, and my health isn''t what it used to be. I can''t be there for you much tonger. If I don''t find someone who take care of you and love you, I''ll never rest easy-not even in the grave. Is that what you want, for me to die with regrets?"


    "Jade!" M''s tone sharpened. "We agreed you wouldn''t... wouldn''t say things like that."


    She couldn''t stand hearing it.


    Every time they left the hospital with another test result, it was obvious: Jade''s health was failing, her energy fading. They both knew it, but M wanted to cover her ears and shut her eyes, as if that might make it all go away-as if Jade could stay with her forever.


    Jade stayed quiet.


    She knew her own body better than anyone, maybe even better than the doctors. She probably wouldn''tst a few more years-maybe even that was wishful thinking. Who knew when she''d close her eyes and never wake up again?


    M was the only person she truly cared for in this world. She just wanted to give her everything she could, to see her healthy and happy.


    But she couldn''t help worrying.


    She really, truly couldn''t.