Page 87 of Torrid Passion
CHAPTER 17
Kyla
“Knock, knock,” I say, my knuckles softly rapping on the door.
“Come in! We’re decent,” Stella shouts.
I enter.
Given their profession, my cousins turned one room in their house into a chic dressing room. This is where they try new designs. It’s complete with armchairs, an oversized ottoman, a couch, an ornate crystal chandelier, a wall of mirrors, a pedestal and of course a wine fridge for white wine and champagne. It’s homage to the haute couture dressing rooms you’d expect from French designers like the talented Christian Dior, the stylish Hubert de Givenchy and thegrande dameof fashion herself, Coco Chanel.
When I walk in, my cousins are studying their reflection in the mirror.
“Holy Jesus!” Stella exclaims, turning around to face me. “You’re going to get a marriage proposal—or ten—in that dress.”
“Holy Sex Kitten, indeed,” Hayden says. I can’t help my laugh. “The soft color, the sexy and sophisticated design, the V-neck features the girls nicely, the way the silky fabric accentuates your hourglass figure…” She pauses, almost looking for her words. “Wow!” She gives me another onceover. “And let’s talk about the slit—”
“Boom, every time Miss Kyla O’Keeffe takes a step,” Stella jokes.
“I was a little concerned the slit revealed too much leg,” I say.
Hayden shakes her head. “No. This dress is perfect. I wish I could claim it as one of our designs, but there’s no way we can reproduce anything that looks that flawless at the price we sell our dresses.”
“This wasn’t a budget buy,” I say. “I splurged on this a couple months ago when I saw it in a boutique on Fifth Avenue. I call it my graduation gift.”
“Bravo,” Stella claps. “You’re going to turn heads and who knows what the night might hold.”
“Stella, I’m still on New York time,” I remind her. “The only thing the nightmight holdafter this evening is a car ride back to the guesthouse and me crashing face first like a starfish in bed.”
I landed at LAX a couple hours ago. I’m back from six hectic days in the Big Apple. Instead of kicking back and spending the evening chilling, I’ll be accompanying my parents and my brother Keller to a gala. Since my oldest brother Kase came down with a bad case of food poisoning, Mom suggested I come along––okay, she more or less forced my hand, but she promised lots of great connections. When my cousins found out, they suggested I come over to their place to get ready because they, too, are accompanying their parents to galas. I turned them down. I needed a minute or two to myself. I only had an hour to shower, primp, sleek my hair back in a low chignon and get dressed. Doing it at their place was going to be way too distracting. Since I have a spare key, I let myself in once I was ready.
“Speaking of amazing dresses, I love that color on you, Hayden, and the ruffling at the back is regal,” I say. “A Red Carpet Ready, I assume?”
“Yes, it’s one of our creations,” she smiles. “Coral is going to be huge,” she says. “We’re ahead of the game. I’m willing to bet my trust fund, this will be theitcolor of the red carpet at the Emmys in September and again in November at the People's Choice Awards. Every A-lister actress will be decked out in a magnificent coral gown. Mark my words. I called it first!”
She’s beaming with pride.
Just like me, Stella and Hayden could rest on their laurels and live off their sizable trust funds. It’s so boring to be a cliché in a city like LA.
“I wasn’t sure about coral at first, but I must say the vibrant color and original design will turn heads,” Stella says.
“I agree,” I say. “And if you’re wrong about your predictions, at least you’ll look amazing tonight.”
“Bite your tongue off.” Hayden looks slightly offended. “Fashion is my business. I know what I’m talking about.”
“Yes, ma’am!” I say.
We all laugh.
I turn my attention to Stella. “You’re a siren in that sexy navy-blue number.”
She gives me a twirl. “It’s also one of ours … although a lot more demure than Hayden’s design. The gala I’m attending with my parents calls for it,” she explains.
“Yeah, my gala sounds a lot more fun than yours,” Hayden grins.
“Whatever,” Stella cries out.
“Now, now, ladies, this is all for charity,” I remind them.
