Our last interview of the day has just been escorted into the room. He’s cute with shaggy ice blond hair that’s short at the sides, long on top, and styled to look like he’s just gotten out of bed. He has on a pair of wire-framed glasses over eyes that make me look twice because he has one blue and one hazel. Moving on from there, I scan his body. He wears his clothes well, his jeans hugging nicely shaped thighs and his t-shirt stretched across a broad chest. On his feet he has a pair of Doc Martin boots. Instantly, I like this guy. Everyone else we saw was dressed in suits and designer clothes. This guy looks like he’s dressing for no one but himself, and I can appreciate that. He has a large sketch pad under his arm and a pencil tucked behind one ear.
A shy smile is on his face as he shakes Nana’s hand before they both turn to me. “Jace, I’d like to introduce you to my granddaughter Harlow. She’s helping out with interviews today.”
When the guy turns to me, a memory from this morning flashes through my mind. “You were sitting down in the lobby this morning. Have you really been here all day?” I ask, and a blush crosses his cheek as his warm hand engulfs mine.
“Ah yes, I’m from out of town, and the bus got in early this morning.” His brow creases in concern, and his eyes dull with worry. His southern accent is strong, but he’s not hard to understand. “I had nowhere else to go, and I know no one in the city, so I just came straight here. I hope that wasn't a problem.”
Instantly, my heart feels for this guy. I know exactly how it feels to be the odd person out.
“Oh no, not a problem at all,” Nana assures, gesturing for him to take a seat. He does so then slides his sketch pad across to us.
“So, tell us a little about yourself, Jace,” Nana encourages as she opens up his sketch pad and starts flicking through the designs on the pages.
Now, I am the first to admit that I know nothing about fashion, but the pictures in front of us render me speechless. Gorgeous dresses fit for movie premieres or royal galas line the pages. Sumptuous fabrics and beautiful lines that scream to the inner princess inside of me. As Nana flicks further forward, the dresses change to lingerie. Jewel tones and sexy cuts are prevalent, and what impresses me even more is that he’s drawn them on a range of different figures. Not just the stick-thin models that have graced every other designer’s portfolio today, but on regularly shaped women as well as women who move into the fuller figure category. I’m seriously impressed at this guy’s forward thinking because he’s made every one of them look gorgeous and sexy, and I can just imagine there's a big market for such a large size range.
“Well, I’m from New Orleans, and I tend bar in the local club. Growing up, my mom was a huge fan of old movies, and she made me watch them with her. I’ve always had a passion for drawing, and whenever I saw those beautiful dresses in black and white, I’d want to draw them in color. My school didn't offer any kind of design classes, so I took art and watched YouTube tutorials in my spare time. I’ve always wanted to work for a fashion house, but with no qualifications or experience under my belt, no one has even been interested in looking at my portfolio.”
Nana and I exchange a glance. I’m almost sure we’re thinking the same thing, that people are idiots, because training or not, this guy has a gift.
“Jace, I’ve got to say I really like what I see. Would you be interested in doing a three-month trial run with the company to see if you would be a good fit? Paid, of course, and we could even provide you with accommodation so you wouldn't have to commit to a rental in case it didn't work out.”
His eyes light up at Nana’s offer, and a warm glow infuses my body. This feels right. Giving an underdog the opportunity to succeed. That’s what I love about Nana; she’s open to giving people a chance, just like she did with me so many years ago.
“Seriously? Th– that would be amazing, thank you.” He stutters slightly, fumbling his words, but he quickly gets it together.
Nana’s smile is full of warmth as she continues. “Have you got somewhere to stay tonight, and would a week be long enough to get organized to relocate out to LA? You said you took the bus here? We can fly you home. Just let me know when you’re ready to return, and we can send the jet for you.”
His eyes just about pop out of his head at her suggestion, and he starts to argue, but Nana, force of nature that she is, just holds up her hand. “No, Jace, don't argue. I insist! After all, you are uprooting your life to come and work for us, so it’s the least we can do.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Summers, I appreciate it. I had just planned on finding a hotel for the night, but I don’t have anything booked yet.”
Nana nudges me at his words, and I jump in. I’m not quite sure why, but I’m pretty sure she wants me to offer him a place to stay tonight. Crap, I hope Shane and Alex don't kill me. I’ll have to text them before we leave. “Nonsense. You can crash with me at my friends’ place tonight, and then I’ll order you a lift to the airport in the morning. I'm sure that’s enough time for Nana to reserve one of the jets to return you home.”
She nods and stands up. “If you just give us a minute, I’ll get you some contracts to look over when you go home. Please feel free to consult a lawyer if you need to. You can just sign them when you’re ready and bring them when you return. Harlow, come with me.”
We leave him looking a little shell shocked, the two of us moving into what I now know is Jacinta's office.
“What was that?” I hiss at her, confused at her behavior. “You better hope that Shane and Alex say it’s okay.”
She waves her hand at me, the woman convincing me that she’s unflappable no matter what situation she’s in. “Pshh, if it’s not, then you can both go to the company hotel and use a room or two there, but I have a good feeling about that man. Never have I seen such raw talent like that except maybe in your sister when she first started.” I startle at the word sister but let it go.That’s a battle to fight some other time.
“Talent like that cannot be taught, and I can’t wait to see what he can bring to the table. We may make an exclusive line of evening gowns designed by him. Not to mention the lingerie! Such creative thinking by catering to all body shapes instead of being stuck in that stick figure crackwhore thinness that so many designers favor. Unrealistic and unattainable.” I blink at my Nana in surprise.Yes, she just said crackwhore.That’s Nana.
She gathers some contracts, not bothering to review the details or fine print, so I guess there must be some kind of standard deal they offer. “This one he must sign today. It’s a standard NDA, but the rest he can read over and bring back to us.”
The door opens behind us, and Dad walks in, looking far more relaxed than he did at the conclusion of our lunch date. “How did it go?” He looks between Nana and me, and we exchange a glance.
“Really well! I think we’ve found two that are going to work perfectly,” Nana tells him. That’s an interesting way of phrasing it, and by the looktheyare now exchanging, they have something up their sleeves.
“Hang on, I know this look,” I comment, gesturing between the two of them. “What are you two planning?”
“Nothing for you to worry about, dear.” Nana pats my hand, the taps just forceful enough that I know she intends for me to follow her lead. “Just a way to bring Jacinta back into line.”
They smirk at each other, and I shudder, hoping I never get caught in the middle of their scheming.
“Here.” Dad throws something at me. “I know you flew in with Declan this morning, but you're going to need a car for your interview tomorrow, so I drove Oliver’s in for you. I’ll catch a ride back in the helicopter.”
My mouth drops open at his thoughtful news, and I throw myself at him, pulling him in for a tight hug. A woosh of air escapes before he chuckles and returns the squeeze. “Thank you for thinking about me,” I whisper, and his arms tighten a little more before we step apart.
