I move to my closet, scanning the same tired collection of outfits I’ve worn a thousand times since graduating college six years ago. Between my demanding work schedules and our tight finances, there hasn’t been time or extra money for a wardrobe upgrade. Plus, outside of my cleaning uniform, I’m only on camera from the neck up for my therapy sessions and in some sort of costume for any modeling gigs.
Somehow, one of these pieces is supposed to impress a multi-millionaire rock star who hangs out with models and actresses for a living and convince him that I belong in his world enough to work with him again on his new business.
I sigh and flip through the hangers, stopping when I find a fitted red dress tucked near the back. It clings in all the right places, tighter than it used to fit me, and practically screams,I’m not desperate to be hired. I don’t need the money at all. But please do it anyway.
I’m not sure if that’s Usher’s influence, or my nerves, but I take it off the hanger anyway.
Sliding in a pair of silver hoop earrings, I’m jolted out of my thoughts by the ping of an email notification. I glance at my laptop, expecting the usual—a sponsorship request or newsletter spam to my thriving social media page that’s been neglected recently—but what I see instead stops me in my tracks: a last-minute appointment request for therapy.
The details make my stomach twist. It’s a full-hour session which isdoublemy usual rate, for an in-person couple in the city. That will also mean an extra surcharge to cover the time, inconvenience, and cost of my commute to get there and back.
My booking system is set up to auto-accept new appointments because let’s be honest, I can’t afford to turn away new business, and people aren’t exactly breaking down my door to talk about their sex lives via video. But tonight, I was supposed to sit across from Rebel XOXO and hear about his clothing line and now I can’t.
What shitty timing.
I chew my lip, torn on what to do.
The extra cash from this appointment would do wonders for my budget, but bailing on a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with a rock legend to talk shop and secure a new gig feels like the type of thing I’ll tell my kids someday with regret.
I can just imagine little Keira and Kai now, their mouths falling open in disbelief when I tell them Ialmostmet up with the rock idol hanging on their walls. That Ialmostwalked in his show at New York Fashion week.
What’s a girl to do?
Naturally, Eden bursts through my door at the worst possible moment. She takes one look at me and gasps softly.
“Oh my god! What are you wearing? You look fucking hot.”
“Language,” I snap instinctively, though it’s pointless. In this house, we swear like sailors and act like them too. There isn’t an ounce of decorum left in the Carpenter family.
She rolls her eyes and flops onto my bed while I scramble to click out of the appointment reminder that’s currently flashing on my laptop like an angry beacon.
“This dress is supposed to look professional, not sexy.” And a little scandalous since I need to look like an actual model.
“Okay, well it’s giving auditioning for a reality TV show, and I can’t wait to hear why you’re wearing it, but first, I have something to tell you,” she says, grinning wider.
I take a seat on the edge of my bed. “What’s up?”
“Okay, so, my design class is planning a trip to Thomas International’s Furniture headquarters in Tucson next month.” She bites her bottom lip, that nervous tell of hers giving her away. Then she blurts out, “And it’s a thousand dollars for the flight, food, and lodging for the weekend.”
I draw in a shocked breath. Athousanddollars? That’s money none of us have to spare.
I nod carefully, keeping my face neutral and not wanting to steal her excitement over this trip. “Okay.”
“Before you say no,” she blurts, sitting up. “I know money’s tight for us, and so I was thinking that Gabriel and I can drive around Hartford this weekend to pick up more furniture to refurbish for the thrift store. Maybe we could sell enough to cover my part of the trip? If we can find stuff for cheap that needs only a little love, we’ll basically break even. The only cost will be the cost of our labor which I know he’ll give willingly once I explain.”
I force a smile and pat her hand gently. I already know that won’t work. After my conversation with Gabriel last night, I’m well aware he’s stretched thin with his job and can’t take on any more extra projects right now. His job is keeping him later and not paying overtime. Plus, the cost of gas alone for Eden to drive around would just dig us in an even deeper hole.
Beyond that, the shop is in disarray and hardly selling any of the new pieces we’ve added. Even if they found and refurbished a couple new items, there’s no guarantee that they’d sell in time for her trip. Still, I can’t bring myself to mention any of that toher. Not when she looks this excited about the trip and I know it’s important for her to be there in Tucson to learn.
“There’s no need to do any of that,” I say firmly, the decision already made in my mind regardless of the night I had planned to meet up with Rebel. I guess it’ll be nothing more than analmoststory. “I have the extra money somewhere in this room. Go ahead and tell your professor you’ll be there, and we can pay for it next week. It sounds like a fun trip.”
Eden’s face lights up with joy as she squeals and bounces on the bed.
“I can’t wait to pay you and Gabriel back someday when I’m designing my own line of furniture.”
I shake my head. “You’ll never have to do that. We just want you to be happy.”
And that last minute therapy appointment that just got scheduled? Yeah, I’m taking it. Tonight, Rebel XOXO will have to wait or, I’ll just miss out on working in his campaign entirely.
