Page 27 of A Major Puck Up

I offer her a tight smile. “Hi.”

“Beautiful wedding. You’re Millie, right? Ford’s daughter?”

I nod, throat tight. “That’s me.”

She holds out her manicured hand. “I’m Cat. Your dad is one of my husband’s best friends.”

“Nice to meet you, Cat.”

She gives me a genuine smile, and for a moment, the devastation that’s taken over recedes, because damn, is this woman drop-dead gorgeous. Dark hair, whiskey eyes, and a big smile. The name doesn’t ring a bell, but still, I know her from somewhere. “I’m sorry. I know everyone here today is someone, so I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you’re in the music industry.”

Her responding laugh is throaty and rich. “No. I own Jolie Magazine. My husband and I do. And I run Bouvier media. We’re in the process of producing our first show. It will follow Sienna Langfield’s spring collection in Paris.”

“Oh my god, yes.” For the first time today, a sense of true joy hits me. “I’ve been following that. So you flew in from Paris?”

Genuinely interested in the show and its production, I push away the despair eating at me. I can wallow over the loss of my father’s company later.

“Yes, it’s been a nice break. Jay and I never really get time alone. We have a daughter who keeps us busy, and with the new show, we’ve been going nonstop for months. So it’s been nice to disconnect and focus on one another. And this resort is so gorgeous.”

Cat leans against the sink and surveys me with genuine interest, as if chatting with me in here is about more than just being polite.

“So what do you do, Millie?”

I clasp my hands and lower my chin as a little of that defeat creeps back in. “I was in my last semester of college, but I—” I clear my throat. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, so I’m taking a break while I figure it out.”

With an approving hum, Cat nods. “I get that. College is a funny thing. You’re supposed to know exactly what you want to do by the time you’re twenty-two. And if you’re not sure, then you’re forced to waste hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to figure it out.”

I laugh. “Yeah, something like that.”

Her eyes brighten as she straightens. “We’re in need of a production intern. Would you be interested while you’re figuring things out? Sienna is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but she kind of goes through interns like they’re snacks.”

The offer comes out of nowhere and hits me square in the chest, making it impossible to respond. For a moment, all I can do is blink at this stranger who just offered me a job in Europe.

“She wouldn’t have the authority to fire you,” Cat says with a devilish grin. “Oh my god, this is brilliant. Since your father and her brothers are so close, she absolutely wouldn’t fire you. And that would mean we could make it through filming without getting further behind schedule. And without all the fires to put out, I could finally go back to working regular hours and having sex with my husband again.” She slaps a hand over her mouth, eyes dancing. When she pulls her hand away, she gives me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, you should probably forget I said that.”

I laugh and shake my head. “It’s fine.”

“Please tell me you might be even a little interested. The money is great, and the job comes with amazing perks, like a whole new wardrobe designed by Sienna. Everyone on set is required to wear Langfield designs, not that free designer clothing is a hardship.”

Is this woman seriously trying to sell a position working on the set of the most anticipated show to me?

“And,” she adds in an excited whisper, “it’s Paris in the spring. Can you think of anything better?”

Honestly? No. Not a damn thing. And after my father’s announcement, it might be the perfect distraction. “Do you have a card or something? Can I think about it?”

Cat reaches into her purse and pulls out her phone. “Here, input your number, and I’ll text you so you have mine. Call me with any questions. Seriously, housing and transportation are all covered. You’d be saving me if you said yes.”

A little of the ice that has formed around my heart these last few months melts away as I type in my information. As she slips her phone back into her purse, I wring my hands and take in a full breath for the first time tonight. “Thanks, Cat. I will definitely be in touch.”

“I’ll see you out there.” With a wink, she’s gone, leaving me alone to study my reflection and contemplate my life.

Accepting the job offer would be insane. Right? I’ve never even considered fashion as a career option. Then again, working in production isn’t exclusive to fashion. It would certainly be interesting. And it would give me space from my mother and her constant commentary, as well as time to work through this issue I have with my father.

School is a nonissue. Dropping out might have been another knee-jerk reaction, but I can’t imagine going back to the whispers and stares.

A few months away might be exactly what I need.

I leave the bathroom, stomach still in knots, scanning the reception space for my brother. The makeshift wooden dance floor on the beach is surrounded by string lights. And the burnt oranges and pinks of the sky as the sun hangs low above the turquoise ocean paints the most gorgeous backdrop. The tables set up in the sand are covered in sparkling gold fabric and surrounded by white and gold chairs. The bamboo bar is a popular spot tonight. It’s crowded with wedding guests who are all laughing and smiling and enjoying the soft reggae music the live band is playing.

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