Page 3 of Love Like This

“Precarious,” Hadley said. “But I get it.” She studied the designs.“I love what I see here, and with your permission I’d like to hold on to a fewof these to present to Trudy Day, the owner, who has the final say.”

Spencer shoved her hands in the back pockets of her gray jeans.Her outfit was perfection. An off-the-shoulder cream blouse, the jeans, andtaupe heels with the most interesting design snaking around the side. The heelsgave Spencer the height edge, but it wasn’t by much.

“What do you think the chances are she’ll bite?” Spencer asked.

“Trudy? If she sees what I see, then I think you’ll be hearingfrom me soon with good news. She’s been pushing for someone just like you for awhile.”

Spencer’s conservative smile blossomed into a full-on sinceregrin. Hadley wiggled her toes. “I’ll leave the samples with you, then.” Sheextended her hand a final time. “It was a pleasure, Ms. Cooper. Thank you forseeing me.”

Hadley blushed. “Oh, Hadley, please. That’s what everyone callsme. Had works, too. Either, really.”

“Hadley it is.”

Spencer turned to go and then flipped back around as if onimpulse. “How long do you think it might take, before I hear back?” She caredand it showed.

“Give me three days.”

Spencer seemed okay with that, nodding several times. “Thanks,again.”

“Of course.” She watched as Spencer Adair retreated from heroffice, leaving her alone with those fabulous pieces. Hadley had to restrainherself from trying on one of the tops then and there, though they would needto see them on people at some point before making any firm commitment.

“These are hers?” Daisy asked, stepping into the office.

“All of them. What do you think?”

Daisy walked the space, taking in each design. “I love them. Lookat the asymmetry on this one. It has a camo feel, but it’s not entirely thateither.”

“They’re unique. Multifaceted.”

“And amazing,” Daisy said, moving hurriedly to the next piece.“Where can I buy this top?”

“Hopefully here if I can convince Trudy.”

“A no-brainer. She’s going to love them! How could she not?” Daisyasked, her eyes dancing with the possibility. “I could sell these clothes fordays if given the chance.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” In truth, Hadley hadn’t beenmore excited by a find in years. Yes, the designers they had on their rosterwere fine, and sold decently, but they were nothing to write home about. Ifthey stuck with them, they’d never evolve with the times, and Silhouette wouldevolve into a strictly older women’s store as their clients aged.

Spencer Adair was different, and Hadley was ready to put her onthe map. She tapped her lips and smiled. A shiver moved through her. “Daisy,today is an important day. I can feel it.”

The cell phone she kept tucked away while at work buzzed, pullingher away from the trajectory of the conversation. “My dad,” she saidapologetically to Daisy, who nodded and gave her the office.

“Hi, Dad,” Hadley said, after clicking over. She spoke to herparents somewhere between once and ten times a day, depending on their supplyof downtime in retirement. Dad called more often, as he was a little moresentimental, but Papa stepped it up when jealousy flared.

“Hey, Sunshine. Have you ever had a halogen lamp?” he asked,without waiting for a return greeting.

“I have. Why do you ask?”

“We’re considering one for the den but didn’t want to border ongaudy if we could avoid it, and with your sense of style, I knew you’d be theone to ask.”

“I say go for it. They’re fairly universal in terms of style, andprovide a lot of light. With all the reading you both do, it would be a greatsource of illumination without distracting from your personal design.”

“That’s what I said. Speaking of, the new Stephen King is out andeight thousand pages, but I love it more than cheesecake, which you know comeswith a large amount of love.”

“He’s been reading nonstop,” a deeper voice said.

Aha. They’d passed the phone.

“Hey, Papa!” Hadley said, with a smile. “Just make sure he’sstopping to sleep and eat. You know how consumed he gets.”

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