Page 60 of Confusing Cade
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
BELLA
I sat across from Deanna Martine in her sleek West Palm Beach office on Dixie Avenue, the morning sun filtering through the blinds and casting stripes across the glass table between us. Deanna, a fashion designer with a knack for sourcing wholesale fabrics from Brazil, spread out vibrant swatches of silk and cotton, her fingers brushing over them with reverence. The faint jasmine of her perfume hung in the air, mingling with the hum of the air conditioner.
“These are from a cooperative in Bahia,” she said, pushing a swatch of turquoise silk my way. “Light as a feather, but tough enough for everyday wear. Perfect for scarves. And this”—she lifted a bolt of coral cotton with a subtle geometric weave— “would make killer sarongs. Natural dyes, great texture, holds up in this humidity.”
I ran my fingers over the silk, picturing it knotted loosely around a neck or draped over a shoulder. The colors popped, bold but elegant, exactly what I needed for my collection. “These are stunning, Deanna.”
“We can source this easily.”
“What’s the lead time for, say, two hundred pieces to start? Half scarves, half sarongs.”
She leaned back, tapping a pen against her lips. I was glad I’d reached out to her about going into business together, and thrilled she’d taken this meeting. Now, this brainstorming session was heading in a promising direction. “For that order, twelve weeks, maybe ten if we push. My supplier’s solid, but customs can be tricky. I’ll get you a quote by tomorrow morning.”
“Perfect.” I scribbled a note in my planner, already sketching designs and a business plan in my head. “Let’s move forward with these two fabrics. I’ll confirm quantities after I run some numbers tonight.”
Deanna’s smile was sharp and confident. “These are going to fly off the shelves. I can see all the women on the island wearing them in no time.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Her eyes softened. “You know, I’m really excited to work with you on this. Your vision’s fresh, and I can already tell this is going to be something special. These pieces just needed an advocate like you.”
“Thank you.”
“Plus, I’ve got to say, I always loved your dad. He was such a character, and he always had a story to tell with a way of making everyone feel like they mattered. I see a lot of his spark in you.”
I smiled, a bittersweet warmth spreading in my chest at the mention of Dad. “Thanks, Deanna. That means a lot.”
We shook hands, and I gathered my bag, a buzz of excitement mixed with nostalgia as I pushed open the glass door and stepped onto Dixie Avenue. The Florida sunlight hit me like a wall, thick and sticky, the rays glaring off the pavement. I slipped on my sunglasses and crossed the street to my car, unlocking it with a chirp. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I cranked the AC, letting the cool air wash over me as I pulled out and headed toward the car wash a few blocks away.
Finally, my future is starting to look bright. And very respectable.
I’d just pulled out of the car wash when my phone rang, Lois’s name lighting up the screen on the small shelf underneath my dashboard. I accepted the call as I navigated the car into oncoming traffic.
“I hope you’re well,” Lois said on the other end of the line. I thought I heard something clipped in her voice. “Would you be able to come into the office in a little bit?”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
I glanced at the clock beneath the steering wheel. Strange he’s still getting his assistant to call me instead of doing it himself. “Sure. I can be there in about a half hour.”
“Wonderful. I’ll let Cade know.”
“Great.” I hesitated. “Any idea what this is about?”
“Cade didn’t elaborate with me. Just said he’d like to see you as soon as he can.”
