Page 19 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“Seriously, it’s not like that,” he says. “What Hailey and I had is in the past—we’re cool.”

“Okay, man, if you say so.”

If there’s one thing I know about Hailey Harris, she is absolutely not cool with the love of her life dating someone else. In fact, going to this party now serves a dual purpose—this Sonia person may need a bodyguard.

FOUR

HAILEY’S DAILY RULE FOR SUCCESS:

Never ignore your intuition—it’s your subconscious having your back.

Luxury vehicles pull up outside my house and a valet parks them along the side streets. Guests from movie stars to business professionals to philanthropists, dressed in fashionable clothes, blinged out in expensive jewelry, arrive and join the crowd in my backyard.

The party is already in full swing, as I always invite my previous clients half an hour early to instill FOMO in those arriving later. The impression of maybe not getting here early enough to secure my services creates urgency. Everyone wants what they can’t have.

Beautiful white lights, strung on swaying palm trees, illuminate the yard in a warm, welcoming, but sophisticated glow. A popular local DJ plays the latest hits, a bartender tends the outdoor bar, and servers, in black tie, rotate trays of champagne.

Only champagne is served at a Hailey Harris VIP party.

Guests mingle and chat around the pool deck. I zero in on one in particular and make my way toward her.

Alisha Jameeka, an up-and-coming, curvy-chic fashion designer whose TikTok shows featuring her creations are garnering close to a hundred thousand views. Not mind-blowing numbers, but enough to get my attention. Recognizing talent on the rise is one of my more natural gifts.

I also want to work with Alisha because I love her designs. They’re fresh, fun, and fantastic. Like the jumpsuit she’s wearing now. Classic black, off the shoulder, with a cinched waist. Stunning and shows off her natural curves.

“One of your designs, I assume,” I say as I stop next to her. She’s standing alone, clutching her champagne glass and looking nervous, slightly out of place.

She won’t be for long.

Alisha does a shy spin, showing off an open back and slightly flared leg. “Can’t find anything like this in my size anywhere in this city.”

“These should be everywhere.”

“I agree, but investors aren’t convinced,” she says with a hint of annoyance.

I move closer and clasp her hand in mine. “Investors will invest once the rest of the world does.”

She stares at me with a hint of desperation. “How do I make that happen?”

I connect my lifeline to hers and my visionary powers are activated.

Inside a posh hotel ballroom, cameras flash as a line of curvy-chic clothing is exhibited on the runway. Alisha stands next to the stage, looks on with pride as the collection is well received by attendees—fashion royalty and luxury brand execs. The next day’s style and fashion magazine sites have rave reviews.

I smile warmly at Alisha as I release her hand. “I can help you get to the next level.”

Her demeanor changes and she waves a hand. “Honestly, the clothing line is just a passion project.”

In addition to being super talented, she’s adorably modest, which makes her the absolute best type of client. Unfortunately, everyone is wary of the price tag without some sort of guarantee. They’d rather downplay their goals than invest in them.

“We both know that’s not true. You have dreams and you should chase them. I’m envisioning a collection at New York fashion week.”

Alisha laughs, shakes her head, but then her eyes meet mine—a flash of her dream reflecting in their dark depths. “You think you can make that happen?”

There it is. The desire for success in her tone.

“No.Youcan. With the right push. That’s where I come in.”

Alisha hesitates, tucking a strand of gorgeous dark hair behind one ear. Normally, I’d bring out the tough sell—remind Alisha that she’s posted her designs online to thousands of viewers and it’s only a matter of time until someone else steals her fabulous ideas and becomes a huge success, but that approach won’t work with her. Her confidence is still hanging in the balance—not quite at the level where she’ll believe in herself.

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