“You’re kidding?” I tried to keep my voice steady as I acted like a teenage girl, jumping up and down in the alley.
“No, we’re not kidding at all. We’d like you to start Monday. How do you feel about that?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Great, we’ll see you then.”
I almost hung up but caught myself and said, “Bradley, thank you so much! I’m truly psyched about this job.”
“We know. Your talent was enough, but it was your enthusiasm that sold us all. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
I went skipping into the restaurant, and my mother knew. She jumped out of her seat. “You got it, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“I told you.” She cupped my face. “Good things always happen in threes.”
We were laughing as we took our seats. “You said it’s not about luck. Was number one Laura breaking it off with me?”
She smiled. “No, number one was that I am cancer-free. Number two was that you landed the job.”
“And number three?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She winked. “Keep your heart open.”
After brunch, I walked my mom home and then headed back up to the Mission. On my way, I passed a magazine rack. Browsing the design magazines, I felt an excitable presence next to me.
“Oh my God, is it here?” she asked.
Glancing over, my eyes met hers. She smiled, warmth radiating from her chocolate eyes.
“Hi,” I said, a bit awestruck by her unique beauty.
“Hi. Sorry, do you mind? Can I squeeze in here and grab that?” It was a copy ofVogue.
“Of course,” I said. “Although I can’t actually say I’ve ever seen a person this excited over the latest copy ofVogue.”
She laughed, and it sounded like music. “That’s because my denim line is featured in it. Here it is! Ah!” She pointed at a page where some model was wearing Divine jeans.
“That’s your line?” I looked up from the magazine quickly, realizing I couldn’t take my eyes off of her for more than a second. I didn’t want her to leave. I was having eight thousand feelings all at once.
“Yes!” she said with so much excitement, it was contagious.
“That’s amazing.” I stuck out my hand. “I’m Lucian.”
“Interesting name,” she said.
“My mom got it from a romance novel.”
She laughed. “I’m Evey.”
When we shook hands, we shocked each other. We both pulled back. It was a spark.
Keep your heart open, Lucian.“We’re electric together,” I said.
“You’re very confident. Not unlike those typical romance heroes.”
