“What time is your flight?” The driver has been trying to chitchat me up since he picked me up.
I’ve kept my answers short and sweet. I’ll do the same now.
I glance down at the watch on my wrist. “I have time.”
He nods as he gazes at me in the rearview mirror. I’m not a sight to behold.
After Gina left my apartment, I finished packing my overnight bag and then I changed into jeans, a blue T-shirt and sneakers.
My phone chimes again so I dig it out of my bag.
I manage a smile when I read the text message on the screen.
Sophia: I hate you.
I type out an instant response.
Dexie: You love me.
I watch as the three dots bounce on the screen as she replies.
Sophia: Who will wear my clothes if you move to California?
Dexie: People wear clothes there.
Sophia: Text me when you land?
Dexie: I will. I’m turning off my phone now to conserve the battery. I forgot my charger.
Sophia: They have chargers there, but not a best friend like me. I’m just saying.
I laugh inwardly as I slide the phone to its off position, toss it back in my purse and close my eyes.
***
I thought I’d spend my day in Los Angeles with Suzanne, but I’ve been delegated to one of her assistants.
I can’t complain. Suzanne is funding this trip so I can get a better sense of how Belese works and where I fit into their big picture.
I brush my hair back from my face.
So far this trip has confirmed what my heart had been telling me since Suzanne made her offer.
I belong in New York City.
“As you can see the boutique is divine.” Marla, the redheaded assistant, twirls in a circle in the middle of the small store that is home to Belese in L.A.
“It’s lovely.”
“Suzanne’s vision is a corner over there for Dexie Walsh.” She motions to where a purple velvet chair is. “I’ll be working hand-in-hand with you to get your collection set up.”
I sold most of my collection to Gina yesterday afternoon.
My phone beeps again. It’s been non-stop as notification after notification sounds.
I woke up in the uncomfortable hotel bed to dozens of missed calls, more than a hundred emails, five hundred text messages, and tens of thousands of new Instagram followers.
Gina has done more for my business with one social media post than I’ve been able to do in years of trying.