Free Harper Lin - Patisserie 07 - Madeleine Murder by Harper Lin Page B

Marcus. I really wouldn’t be good on the runway. I’d probably fall, and people will probably put that up on YouTube. Plus, I’m too short to be a model.” 
    “Come on, Clémence. Sophie is only five-foot-seven.” 
    “Kate Moss is also five-seven. I’m only five-four. Trust me, I’m better behind the camera.” 
    Marcus sighed. “I figured you’d say that, but you can’t blame a poor designer for trying. So here’s the thing. You know how my ready-to-wear collection is inspired by Damour’s desserts?” 
    “Yes.” Marcus had consulted her about his collection. She’d given him a lot of free macarons and other colorful treats to inspire him. As a result, many of his pieces were in the vibrant shades of Damour macarons. The fabrics used were as light as the cream of their pastries and cakes. 
    “I just had the fabulous idea of incorporating real desserts in the show. They need to be eye-catching, so I’m thinking cakes. Big, extravagant cakes to match the outfits.” 
    “How extravagant?” Clémence asked.
    “Enough to make a statement, but not too much to take the attention away from the clothes. The cake and the clothes should complement each other. I’m thinking one cake could be dotted with macarons. Another can be a multi-tiered opéra cake. And then a Charlotte Royale cake. All with a Damour twist.” 
    “Okay. I can visualize it. If I make an opera cake, that would match one of the coats in your collection. And the swirl pattern in your tops and skirts would go with the Charlotte Royale.”
    “ Exactement. I knew you’d get it. You think that your bakers can do it for me in time?” 
    “Sure. The only problem is, the cakes can get pretty heavy. Are you sure these models can carry so much weight as they’re walking down the runway?” 
    “That’s true,” Marcus said. “Well, they don’t have to be real cakes. They just have to look like it.” 
    “Okay, we’ll use styrofoam on the inside. How’s that?” 
    “Genius.” 
    “Too bad you won’t be able to eat them after.” 
    “That’s true.” 
    “I’d be happy to make you an edible cake too, to celebrate the show.” 
    “That’d be great, Clémence. Why don’t you come in my studio on Friday, and we can discuss everything in person.” 
    “Friday?” Clémence wasn’t so sure that she could make it. What if she had to follow up on a lead? “Can I get back to you on that, Marcus?” 
    “Sure. But don’t wait too long. Fashion week is three weeks away.” 
    “We’ll get it done, I promise.” 
    “I’m so excited. It’s a win-win for the both of us. Damour will surely get more publicity after the show.” 
    “It sounds great, Marcus. Thanks for the opportunity. Hey, now that I have you on the phone, I want to ask, do you know anything about Nicole Blake?”
    “Nicole? No. It’s so sad, her death. I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting her, but I’d always wanted to. Now it’s too late.” 
    “Have you met Sarah Briar?” 
    “She’s cute too. But no, haven’t met her either.” 
    “What about Zach Brant?” 
    “Zach?” His voice dropped. “Yes. We’ve dressed him once for the Venice Film Festival.” 
    “What did you think of him?” 
    “Oh, you know, handsome as a goon.” Marcus sounded resentful.
    “Is that a bad thing?” Clémence asked.
    “It is if the guy’s trying to hit on your boyfriend.” 
    “Wait, Zach was trying to hit on Brice?” 
    “Yes. You’ve met him. You know how gorg my Brice is. Zach Brant noticed it too. This was three years ago, when Zach wasn’t as famous. When we were doing the fitting one day, Brice came in, and Zach spent the whole time buttering him up.” 
    “What are you saying? Zach is gay?” 
    “Yes. Of course he’s gay. I’m surprised no one has caught on.” 
    “Fully gay?” 
    “Well, who knows, but you’ve seen the girls he’s dated. Total snoozers. You’d be surprised how many seemingly straight guys are gay in the film