Page 44 of Say It Isn't So

“We’ll do an exclusive interview with you on the inside. I’m thinking a two-page spread in the centerfold. It’ll get the most attention from our readers, and what better collection to do it with than this one? You’re celebrating twenty-five years. That’s a big deal. We can highlight where you came from as a lingerie designer and how, still to this day, you’re daring your wearers to embrace their bodies.” I raised my hands up and stretched them wide as though making a banner in the air. “I can see it now,” I said, as I moved my hands for emphasis, “Karoline Atelier: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”

Her eyes widened and lit up like lights on a Christmas tree. “I love it!” She rubbed her hands together. “You’ve sold me, Bianca.” Pointing at me, she added, “They made the right call when they sent you here. Everyone atBellissimais fabulous, but you have a real head for advertising.”

I repeated her words in my head. How could I not? I had “a real head for advertising.” That was a good thing. I knew it was. And, not to sound conceited, but I’d been doing this for so long, I knew I was great at it. I just wished I was known for more than that, you know? Like my own designs.

Bianca Morelli Breaks into the Fashion World, What’s Next for this Young Lady?

But that was silly, right?

I shook my head. No one had ever even seen my designs. Yeah, I was being delusional. “Thank you,” I answered simply. “That means a lot.”

“It’s true,” she replied and checked the time. “Now I have to go, but don’t be a stranger, okay?”

I watched as she started walking away. She turned on her heel, though, and snapped a finger. “Oh, and email my team that invoice. I want to get the ball rolling on this as soon as possible.”

“You got it,” I called after her.

You have a real head for advertising.Something told me those words would play on repeat for longer than I wanted, no matter how hard I tried not to let them. Even if they were nice words.

A noise from my phone got my attention as I started walking out of the building.

Knox:Busy?

Bianca:Not now. My next event is Stefan’s catwalk later today.

Knox:Good, so meet me at that in-house sustainable restaurant I told you about.

Bianca:Now? I don’t know, Knox. I was just going to head back to the hotel.

Knox:Don’t you dare. You need to eat.

Bianca:How do you know I haven’t eaten already?

Knox:Have you?

Bianca:Yes.

Knox:Bull.

Bianca:Fine, I haven’t, but I’ve got a lot of work to do.

Knox:It can wait. Meet me at the restaurant.

I had to say, this demanding side of Knox was sort of sexy.

I got in the car and told my driver where I was going.

Geez, even with the minimal amount of walking I was doing, my feet were killing me. Although, the heels I’d chosen to wear probably weren’t helping. I should’ve worn ballet flats, but with the cute outfit I’d chosen, they just wouldn’t work. What a mistake that was.

I leaned over and took my heels off, setting my feet free for a minute.

If my feet could have talked, they would’ve been saying,thank you, Bianca, for allowing us to breathe. Well, that, orgirl, you’re the worst; if we could run away from you, we would. Yeah, it was probably the latter.

Oooh, that actually gives me an idea for a shoe design.When I sketched, I mainly focused on wedding dresses, but if anyone’s feet were going to hurt, it would’ve been a bride’s, right?

I took out my phone and wrote a quick note about my idea for later.

As I put my phone back in my purse, I thought about what Karoline said again. So maybe I did kick butt when it came to advertising, and I was proud of that. But one day. . . maybe. . . I’d be told I rocked for another reason—because of my designs.

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