Page 178 of Built to Fall
Eden is standing a few feet in front of me when I finally turn around. Almost like she knew.
She doesn’t ask what happened, and I don’t explain.
A single tear falls down my cheek, and without a sound, I fall into her arms.
CHAPTER FIFTY
LINA
The day before Savannah’s debut fashion show, she asked me to come to New York City with her to be on-site for her Ralph Lauren campaign shoot.
Kara has already been in the city since last night because of fittings, so she’s meeting us there. And in all honesty, I have no idea wherethereis.
In fact, I’m shocked we’re going into the city at all. Every Ralph Lauren photoshoot I’ve seen has been outside on a fancy estate, with horses and a western-glam vibe.
I definitely don’t see us getting those types of pictures in the middle of the city.
For almost the entire train ride, Savannah has been on her phone. The past few weeks, big fashion networks have begun to catch wind of the possible collaboration, even though it hasn’t been announced to the public. And because of that, Savannah’s been working hard to make sure it stays under wraps until the campaign, which has involved making a lot of deals.
We’ve been together nearly every day for the past two months. She’s become what we consider an honorary roommate at the apartment, and I’ve gone to her sorority house quite a few times.
“Where exactly is the campaign going to shoot in the city?” I ask when she gets off the phone yet again.
She sets her phone in her lap, crossing her legs. Even now, she looks straight out of a Vogue spread, with her pink, houndstooth-patterned tweed dress and white stiletto heels. It’s something Paris Hilton would wear, and Savannah pulls it off just as well.
“We’re not doing the campaign itself in the city, just the catalog shots and blank-slate modeling in a studio. Later, we’re going to Montauk and doing the actual campaign on the water. A lot of them will be on a yacht, too.”
It’s overwhelming. Even just being here with her. I can’t imagine being in Savannah’s position—having to manage all this while running her growing fashion network and still attending Yale full-time.
Her drive is as admirable as her closet. I’ve learned very quickly that she’s not just a girl who wears cute clothes and talks about fashion.
She’s building an empire. People know who sheis.
A girl even came up to Savannah on the train, fawning overSavvy by Savannah, telling her how much she admired her. Of course, Savannah smiled and talked to her for as long as she could before her phone began ringing again.
Most people would act like it’s nothing. Savannah doesn’t. I watched the way her smile lingered long after the girl walked away.
“They’re sending a car to pick us up at the station, and Kara is meeting us there,” she tells me. “The studio is in SoHo, right above a super pretty gallery. Super minimal, all white with lots of natural light. The pictures are going to turn out gorgeous.”
My eyes widen, stunned. This is a normal day for Savannah. Cars waiting to take her to SoHo before a photoshoot on a yacht.
Meanwhile, I feel a bit like the intern in a coming-of-age movie, fumbling the papers and forgetting the CEO’s coffee order. Straight out ofThe Devil Wears Prada.
It’s obvious I don’t fit into this atmosphere, but Savannah has fit me perfectly into her life. She invited me, so I’m going to be here for her in every way I can.
“Have you thought any more about my offer?” She raises a blonde eyebrow at me, giving me a soft smile with her perfectly glossed lips.
My stomach bubbles with nerves I rarely feel. I glance out the window, as if the passing buildings would give me the answer I’m looking for.
“I have,” I say slowly, running my hands through my hair. “I don’t see why you would want me in the campaign. You and Kara are used to this, and this is important, Sav.”
Savannah doesn’t miss a beat. “You are exactly what this campaign needs.”
“Someone who has no idea what they’re doing? Who has never modeled?”
Since this morning, she’s been begging me to be a part of the photoshoot. At first, I laughed in her face. Then I realized she was being serious. To me, it makes no sense why she would want me to be a part of it. She doesn’t seem to think there’s any other option.
“This ismycollection, Lina. It’s my choice how I want it to be represented. It’s more important to me that it’s something authentic—something fun and showcasing friendship. Me, you, and Kara can make it that way.”
