Page 60 of Say It Isn't So

“Yeah, because Maria can never say no to him.” Without hesitating, I declared, “Well, I’m getting it,” deciding on the handbag as we walked in the store.

“Was there ever any doubt you wouldn’t? Once you make up your mind on something, no one’s changing it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Eh, I’m decisive. What can I say?”

Allie coughed, “Insistent,” muttering the word under her breath.

As we split up and began looking around separately, but in close proximity to one another, I asked, “Is Dom modeling in one of the Men’s Spring/Summer fashion shows?” The shows weren’t for a while, but as far as I knew he walked in at least one every season.

She shrugged, grabbing a perfume off the counter and spraying some on the inside of her wrist. “I think Milan, actually.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Then she sniffed her wrist and drew her brows inward, giving me a disgusted look. “Here, smell this.” She extended her arm out and stuck her wrist in my face.

I carefully backed it up and took a whiff. “It’s not bad. I actually like it.”

“What?” she nearly screeched. “It stinks and not in a good way.” She smelled it again before passing it back to me. “What is that anyway?”

I inhaled and then swayed my head back and forth, trying to figure it out. “It smells like grapefruit, to be honest.”

“It burns my nose,” Allie said, “so I guess that would explain it. Do you remember that grapefruit shampoo Perla insisted I try because it smelled ‘so good’?”

I nodded.

“Well, that was when I learned two things. One”—she popped a finger up—“never listen to Perla when it comes to products and two”—she popped another finger up—“I hate the smell of anything citrusy.”

I chuckled and grabbed another one, spraying it in the air and walking in it. “What about this one?” I took a deep breath and inhaled before staring at the green bottle. “It’s zesty.”

Agreeing, she said, “Definitely notes of citrus in that thing.”

“I’m more of a vanilla girl.” Then I chuckled, realizing the dirty irony in what I just said. “Well, I like the smell of vanilla. But I am not vanilla.”

Allie laughed. “Sweetie, no one thought you were vanilla.”

I feigned surprise, but only for a second. Let’s all be honest, no one ever said I was vanilla. “Whatever. Let’s just find me a perfume.”

“What about that one?”

I shrugged, thinking. I did like it. “You know, vanilla has a way of seducing men.”

Laughing, she retorted, “Only you would know that.” Meanwhile, I was busy with the different bottles.

Chapter Nineteen

Bianca

This was goingto sound crazy, but with every wedding dress I sketched, I started thinking more and more about my brand. What would the name be? What would the logo look like? Would it be one of those logos that when people saw it, they thought of my designs? Would I have a tagline? Would I have a hashtag on social for wearers?

Told you, crazy, right? I was so far off from any of that happening. I mean, let’s be real, no one even knew I wanted to design.

And I didn’t plan on telling anyone any time soon, especially because it felt like a betrayal on my part. I worked for my family’s magazine. I should’ve been happy and content knowing I even had a job that allowed me to work alongside my sisters and best friends.

It was selfish, really, to want more.

That was why I sketched for myself. I shouldn’t want for more, it wasn’t fair.

Drawing inspiration from the bold looks I’d been seeing lately and my own style, I was currently working on a tasteful but sexy gown. It was a fit-and-flare with a plunging neckline because I’d always appreciated the way it elongated the form. To keep with trends and up the elegance, I decided on hand-beaded pearls scattered to the bottom.

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