"I haven't had a chance to talk to you since the awards show," Chelsea said. "I told everyone you made my dress. I hope you're getting calls."
"I've had several stylists reach out."
"That's great."
"We'll see. One person already changed her mind after Nikki posted her lies about me online."
"Are you serious?" Gianna said. "That's terrible. Can't you sue her or something?"
"That's the last thing I want to do. I just want her to stop talking and move on with her life."
"Can Dante get her to stop talking?" Chelsea asked.
"He broke up with her. It wasn't the other way around. Nikki is pissed. She's going to do what she thinks is best for her brand. It's fine."
"It's not fine," Chelsea said. "Maybe I can do something."
"What can you do?" Gianna asked with interest.
"I have contacts in the fashion world. If she wants to make it difficult for you, maybe I should make it difficult for her," Chelsea replied, a fierce look in her eyes.
"Oh, I don't want you to do anything like that," she said quickly. "I appreciate the defense, but it's not necessary. It was one stylist. Hopefully, the others won't bail. Nikki can't know everyone, right?"
"She's pretty popular," Gianna muttered. "Maybe you should consider Chelsea's offer."
"I don't even have to take Nikki down," Chelsea added. "I can just talk you up."
"You already did that by wearing my dress. And to be honest, Dante volunteered to do the same thing. But I don't want people to reach out to me because they're doing someone a favor. Besides, I'm really busy right now with the wedding dresses, and the shop, and the realty business. I don't need any more design work right now."
"I just hate that she's getting away with this," Chelsea said.
"I hate it, too," Gianna said.
"What does everyone hate?" Adam Cole asked as he joined the group. Adam had on a T-shirt and board shorts, looking more relaxed than she'd seen him in a long time.
"More likewhodo we hate," Chelsea told her brother. "And it's Nikki Voltari, the supermodel spreading rumors about Keira."
"Oh, yeah, I heard about that," Adam said. "Sorry, Keira."
"Thanks. It will all die down, I'm sure. Let's not talk about it anymore. I just want to enjoy the day."
"Then I better speed this boat up," he said with a grin. "I know how much you like to go fast."
"I do, but this is Hailey's party."
"And the girls are done tubing, so we can take off on a faster ride," he said.
"If we're going faster, I'm moving up front," Gianna said.
"Me, too," Chelsea agreed.
Dante came over to her as her friends moved away. "Your nose is starting to burn," he said.
"I just put on more sunscreen," she said. "You're very tan."
"I live in Miami."
"You must go on boats a lot."