“Good.” I pause for a moment and then all the words I’ve rehearsed pour from me without any conscious thought. I have no idea exactly what I’m saying, but they nod and exchange glances so it seems to be going well. Finally, they begin asking questions. To my surprise, few of them are about the designs. Simon asks about sourcing materials. He jots notes as I stumble through a reply. I’ve looked into sourcing and costing, but the way he studies me over his glasses makes me feel like a kid who forgot to do her homework.
Meanwhile, Dana wants to know how deeply I’ve researched what would be needed to launch the collection, and Renita queries my decision to pitch to them rather than directly to a company. Eventually, they ask me to leave the room while they confer. I wait outside, nerves rioting in my stomach. My palms are clammy and my breath comes in short pants. I can’t believe I actually did it. Even if nothing comes of this meeting, I’m so proud I was able to get through a pitch to investors without making a fool of myself. How many people could say that?
While I’m sitting on the chair outside the meeting room, my phone buzzes. I check it, assuming it’s Leo, but my eyebrows draw together at the sight of an altogether different name: Karson.
Karson:Tell me you aren’t dating that preachy asshole Delaney.
I scowl. I hear nothing from him for ages, and now he wants to butt into my love life? I don’t think so.
Camile:Yes, I am. He’s a really good guy.
It doesn’t take long for Karson to reply.
Karson:If I’d known you wanted to fuck a fighter, I’d have made sure you had a better option. Delaney is a sanctimonious prick.
I roll my eyes. When my brother pulls out the big words, it means he’s really pissed off. Strangely, I don’t care. I’m over his bullshit. Completely and totally over it.
Camile:You don’t actually have any say in who I date. I’m with Leo. We’re together. Deal with it.
At that moment, Dana appears in the doorway and waves me back into the conference room. I put my phone away and ignore the buzzes as it starts to ring. I’ve said my piece. Now it’s up to him to decide if he can handle it.
I return to the same chair I’d previously occupied and keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. I’m so sweaty I could slip off the seat if I’m not careful.
Simon plucks the cap from his fancy pen and then clicks it back into place. “Thank you, Camile. We appreciate you taking time out of your day to speak to us.”
My heart sinks. He’s going to brush me off, I just know it. That’s the beginning of a “sorry, but” talk.
“…and we’d be pleased to offer you enough funding to launch your collectionand manufacture a limited run of each item, with future funding contingent on sales numbers.”
I blink at him, uncomprehending.
He takes off his glasses and smiles. “We’d like to invest in you. Congratulations.”
Oh my God.
My jaw drops and I gape at him. Can this really be happening? “Thank you. Thank you so much. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“Here.” Renita passes me a piece of paper with several numbers scrawled on it. They’re big enough that when I read them, I struggle to haul in a breath. “We’ll need to do some additional analysis, but this is our estimate for what we can offer you. We also have a mentoring program we think you’d benefit from, where one of our project managers can work with you to build your general business knowledge.”
“That would be amazing.” I can hardly process it.
“We’ll come back to you with an official contract that your lawyer can review. In the meantime, go and celebrate. You’re about to become somebody to watch in women’s fashion.”
I thank them all profusely, then Dana escorts me out of the conference room and back to the elevator. I squeal as soon as the doors close and I’m finally alone.
They said yes!
Holy crap. I’m going to be a professional fashion designer with a show and everything. I shake my head and then can’t stop shaking it because it’s all so surreal. When I step into the foyer, Leo catches sight of my shaking head and his face falls. Realizing he’s misunderstood, I launch myself into his arms. He catches me and holds me tight.
“They made me an offer,” I whisper. “My dream is coming true.”
He kisses me, and my heart feels like it might explode from an overload of joy. Not only are my career dreams becoming a reality, but my emotional ones are too. I’m falling in love with Leo Delaney, and based on the way his eyes soften as he gazes at me, he feels the same.
“I’m so happy for you.” He pulls me into another kiss—this one a bit too hot and heavy to be appropriate for the foyer of a reputable business. “Let’s go home and celebrate.” He winks. “Naked.”
9
Leo
