Page 27 of Get Undressed With Me

Brittany steeled herself for the rest of the phone call, biting back a sigh. Kathleen was in a mood and was apparently going to take it out on Brittany like she always did.

“They are serious, Mom. You said you weren’t happy with the last round, so I attempted something new.”

“And you think these are high-end?”

Of course she did, but she sure wasn’t going to admit that now.

“I guess I’m not certain what your definition of ‘high-end’ is,” she said carefully.

“Lux fabrics. Fresh perspective for the person with money ready-to-wear art.”

“Mom, that’s not really my brand. I show people how to repurpose clothes they already have, or gently used clothes they can buy second-hand. My audience isn’t the one percent, it’s the everyday.”

“That may be true now, but this partnership is a chance to elevate your brand. This is the time, Brittany. You have to take this seriously.”

Brittany knew, deep in her heart, that everything her mother was saying was coming from love and support. But it sounded really shitty. Kathleen had a way of cutting you to the core with words that felt like afterthoughts to her.

Her rideshare pulled up outside the restaurant, and Brittany exited, hovering near the entrance. She didn’t want to be out in the open in the street, but she also didn’t want to be having this terrible conversation in a restaurant where anyone could overhear.

“And we also need to talk about your attire for that convention, Brittany,” she continued. “What were you thinking? Shorts and a T-shirt? You’re an influencer. How are you supposed to influence in clothes like that?”

“I’m at a fan convention, Mom,” Brittany said, sure her exhaustion was showing through her voice. “My followers know I go to Kickoff every year. They like seeing the casual, nerdy version of me. The people at the meet-and-greet loved it.”

Brittany didn’t add that she preferred this casual, nerdy version of herself. Brittany was a woman of contrasts, who was either completely made up or completely dressed down. Kathleen didn’t like hearing things like that, not when she worked so hard finding Brittany designer brand deals. As far as Kathleen was concerned, Brittany should be in cocktail attire at all times.

“Your fans are paying for pictures with BrittKneeSocks. Dress your brand, or else they’re going to be disappointed and you’ll start to lose followers. Understand?” Kathleen’s voice had taken on an edge, which meant that she was ramping up for round two of the lecture. But Brittany didn’t have time for it.

“Yes, Mom, I have tomorrow’s outfit picked out, and it will be so on brand no one will complain and post bad things, okay?”

“You don’t have to say it with that kind of tone.”

Sometimes Brittany daydreamed about doing literally anything else for her job, something that her mother wouldn’t want to be involved in. A schoolteacher. A lawyer. Some sort of accountant. But Brittany also knew she had wanted to designclothes since she was little, and for whatever fateful reasons this was the path that was getting her there. With Champagne.

With her mother.

“Mom, I gotta go, I’m running late for dinner.”

“Who are you having dinner with?”

Brittany tried not to get frustrated at her mother, but she knew she was going to fail if the call wasn’t over soon. Her patience, already at a low thanks to the day and dealing with her stalker sending her flowers, and then whatever the hell that was in the elevator with Gus, was about to break.

“Min and Hayden.”

The silence on the other end of the line said a lot, as well as the deep sigh Kathleen heaved into the phone.

“Very well. Tomorrow, make sure to post more pictures with your socks. Your viewers are asking for it.”

“I will, Mom. Gotta go, love you.” Brittany hung up before her mom could ask her another question, and took a deep breath, trying to cleanse Kathleen from her energy. As she breathed, she reminded herself that she loved her mother very much, even when she was being difficult.

“Hey, sorry we’re late!” Brittany spun around to find Min and Hayden walking toward her, looking just flushed and out of breath enough for Brittany to suspect they hadn’t been power walking. Once they were near, Brittany pulled Min in for a hug, taking a big inhale.

“You smell like sex,” she teased.

“Why are you smelling me, weirdo?”

“Because it’s been so long I have to live through you.”

Min pushed her away, and, laughing, Brittany turned and waved at Hayden.

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