Page 93 of The Night We Met

The holidays are always a stressful time. The malls are jam-packed, traffic is a nightmare, online orders pile up, and I think I speak for a lot of designer’s in that we have to maintain our reputation and bring in new shoppers.

Last summer, I was brainstorming the idea of making an affordable version of ‘Ryn & Co.’ called ‘Kamryn’ for the everyday worker that doesn’t have the hefty bank account like some of the others. None of the pieces are to be priced over $50 to make it so that everyone could afford this line. The line is a mix of solids and patterns, vibrant pieces and muted tones, business casual to nights out on the town. Our hope for the ‘Kamryn’ line is to eventually add shoes to the brand.

I’m envious of my customers as I wish I had a line like this when I was teaching. Thankfully, my clothes from college were acceptable for my teaching, but it wasn’t doable in the long run.

It’s been over a year in the making and we finally launched it online in November along with a holidayline. Which was perfect timing since most people started their holiday shopping around then. Some look for deals on clothes to refresh their work wardrobe. Our plan is to keep ‘Kamryn’ online for the first year before moving it and ‘Ryn & Co.’ into a storefront here in the city. Now that the holidays are just about over, I have to keep the creative juices flowing and start thinking up designs for spring and summer, on top of my more high-end brand.

My phone rings with a FaceTime from Mason. “Hey, handsome.”

“Hey baby. How are you?”

“Exhausted. Planning out new designs is exhausting,” I place my glasses on top of my head.

“I’m sure. But I think I have a way to take your mind off of it.”

“How so?”

“You. Me. London. 5 days.”

“What? Baby I don’t think I can just drop what I’m doing last minute. And what about football? It’s the middle of the season.”

His injury scared me. But he assured me he was fine after his MRI. I have no reason to doubt him. Yet standing in the crowd as I watched him go limp terrified me more than I care to admit.

“Yes you can. I already talked to Jax and Olivia. They said they would oversee business while you’re gone. And plus, you need a break too. You’ve been working non-stop and you and your body need a refresh. I have something to tell you about football. But I’d rather do that in person.”

I chew on my bottom lip and mull it over. I do need a break. I’m starting to stress out and that usually means I don’t eat or sleep very well and everything else gets put on the backburner. “Okay, I’m in. When do we leave?”

“In two days. Can you be ready by then?”

Wow that’s soon. “It’s short notice, but challenge accepted Mr. Brooks.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon sweet girl. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

London for 5 days with Mason. This holiday season can’t get any better.

I think I have everything I need. I keep running through my mental and written list. I’ve gone over it ten times because I’m that crazy about forgetting something. I’ve been to London once but it was strictly for work. So the sightseeing I’m hoping to do this time around excites me.

“Jax, will you come help me?” I plead from my room.

I hear Jax running up the stairs with Lucy right behind her. “Let’s run through your list…again. Yadi yadi ya. Seriously Kam, I think you have everything.”

“It’s paranoia Jax. Please.”

“Okay, okay.”

We run through my list again and I’m once again reminded that I’m crazy.

“I told you, you had everything.”

“I know you did. Thank you. Are you sure you’re fine staying here?”

“Are you kidding? Your house has everything and more. Plus, I have Lucy and Poppy to keep me company. Isn’t that right girl?”

Lucy barks and nuzzles Jax’s hand for some petting. Poppy, my black cat, side-eyes Lucy for her loud interruption.

“Well I’m glad that she’ll be taken care of.”

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