“Oh really?” I ask, crossing my arms under my chest. “Well, you want to know what I don’t like? Her size range.”
Their brows pinch together. “I’ve been telling her this for years. The future isn’t exclusive. It’sinclusive.”
“See. You get it! I love LuMac,” I tell them. “I always have. But I’ve never been able to wear it. Do you know how many people would flock to this stuff if it were available in their size? This isn’t just about politics. It’s good business.”
They shake their head. “Studies show plus-size consumers don’t invest in luxury pieces.”
“What the studies don’t show is the lack of luxury pieces being offered. Fat people want options. All the luxury pieces out there look like mother-of-the-bride dresses. Lucy has been on the first wave of major fashion moments before. Now isn’t the time to be left behind.”
“Oooooh,” they say, fire in their eyes. “I really do like you. I can see why you’re our Henry’s favorite.”
I fail to hide my annoyance when I say, “Well, maybe one of these days, he’ll actually pick me for a date.”
Jay smirks. “That boy’s a hard read sometimes.”
“Ladies!” Zeke calls. “Let’s load it up!”
“Thanks again,” I tell Jay. “I hope our paths cross again one day.”
“I’m betting on it,” they say with a wink.
Mallory and Zeke herd us out to the fifteen-passenger van waiting for us as cameras flash and what is now a whole ton of fans scream our names.
“Cindy!” someone yells. “You’re my style icon!”
My heart flutters, and I think I might levitate at any moment. “Thank you!” I call back into the crowd.
“Cindy!” another—almost familiar—voice calls. “Cindy!”
A hand reaches past Zeke, who is literally standing between me and fiftyBefore Midnight–obsessed fans. A head bobs over his shoulder and it’s—
“Sierra!” I shriek.
My best friend wriggles past Zeke and gives me a tight hug. “Holy crap! What is your life? What is even happening?”
“Cindy, we gotta move,” Zeke says with a warning in his voice.
I look up to him. “Should I remind you who’s keeping whose secret?”
His lips press into a thin line as he lets me squeeze under his arm while he continues to help the remaining women into the van.
Sierra is wearing a ribbed black maxi dress with huge red sunglasses and bright yellow platform Tevas.
“I wish I could stay and talk,” I tell her, suddenly feeling like I might be on the verge of tears. “And PS, you look delicious. Did you get the gig with Opening Ceremony?”
“Yes, and it’s all I’ve wanted to talk to you about! I mean, besides all this.” Her mouth wrinkles into a pout, and I can see tears welling in her eyes.
“Don’t cry,” I beg her. “If you cry, I’ll cry.”
She nods furiously. “There’s just so much happening, and there’s so much I want to talk to you about and—I’ve seen you on TV, but it feels like I’m having a one-way conversation and I just—”
“Cindy,” Zeke says.
I take both Sierra’s hands in mine and squeeze tight. “I gotta go, but I’m so proud of you for landing that gig. I miss you so much it hurts,” I tell her. “I love you, and I promise we’re going to have a major catch-up sesh when this is all over. I promise-promise.”
She gives me another hug and slides something into the pocket of my jeans.
“Smooth operator,” I whisper.
