Page 28 of Always Meant for You
She takes in the Dior drops at my ears, then scans the hem of my dress. “Dior pearls. And the dress is Chloé, isn’t it? Early two-thousands?”
I nod. “A vintage piece from two thousand five.”
She tilts her head, intrigued. “You know your archive.”
“So do you,” I say, careful not to sound defensive. There’s no edge in her voice, but I feel the test in her observation.
“When you’ve lived as long as I have, honey, the early two-thousands don’t seem that far behind.”
She’s funny and disarming, with the effortless charm of a cool aunt.
“I might have been young when the collection came out,” I say, “but couture garments defy time and only get better with age.”
Chelsea nods. “I agree.”
“I think about the woman who wore this before me,” I continue. It’s easy talking with her. “I imagine what it meant to her. What she felt when she zipped it up. And how it ended up in my hands.” I pause. “A sort of fashion twist of fate.”
Chelsea watches me, and that whisper of a grin reappears.
The barista calls out our drinks, and we step to the counter.
I watch as she thanks the woman warmly.
Could Chelsea be a mentor to me? Even a friend?
I’d like that.
We sit at the table with Lucce. He doesn’t look up from his phone, which is fine by me. I don’t need his attention.
I want to keep chatting with Chelsea.
She takes a sip of her coffee, then fixes me with a gaze so precise it nearly pins me to my seat.
“Let’s get right to it, Bella Mae. My agency represents creators in lifestyle, fashion, food and wine, wellness, beauty, and travel. We connect them with major brands, rising names, and everyone in between. We help clients grow their platforms, widen their reach, and turn content into revenue. In short, we want to make you a star.”
I nod, my hands clasped in my lap. If I let them go, I might spring from the chair and launch into full cartwheels across the floor.
She leans forward. “There’s a campaign launching that needs someone with your aesthetic and narrative clarity. If it works, it could open the door to a long-term partnership, not only with us, but with the kind of names that can put Bella Mae on the global map. Does this align with your goals?”
This is my dream come to life.
My knee bounces beneath the table. I press my palm against it. “Yes, it aligns with my growth strategy.”
Good, I can still speak.
Chelsea nods. “It’s a collaboration between a major French fashion house and a group of emerging designers they’re acquiring in Paris and New York. Of course, you’d need to visit France.”
France!
I take a sip of my drink, willing myself to stay composed while my pulse races.
“But before we talk contracts,” Chelsea says, folding her hands on the table, “tell me in your own words, what sets you apart? Why would a legacy brand take a risk on someone outside the usual circles?”
Here it is. The part where she measures my voice, not my follower count.
I check Lucce. He’s still glued to his phone.
I breathe through the nerves.
