‘It’s not that bad, is it?’ Katy panicked, pulling her knickers down at the sink.
‘Babe, it smells like BV!’ Zola gagged. ‘Bacteria in that vag is nasty.’
Katy started splashing water up over the sink and under her dress in panic.
‘Fuck. I’m so sorry, guys. Is it away yet? Maybe I should wait here. Let you two pitch?’ Katy’s eyes were watering and I wasn’t sure if it was the realisation of being so underprepared, the hefty hangover she was experiencing, or the smell that had been accumulating between her legs.
‘Katy, look, it’s fine. You stayed out late, you’re safe,’ I said. ‘Zola and I know the pitch inside out. You can stand there and nod that bushy head of yours, OK?’ I said, gently touching her hair, then – remembering what it contained – pulling back.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes! Come on!’ Zola pleaded, glancing at her watch. ‘It’s five past ten now.’
‘I’d better fix this.’ Katy gasped, looking at her reflection in the mirror and noticing the full glory of her hair.
Zola nodded. ‘Yes.’
Katy pulled up her knickers and combed water through her hair, tying it into a small, respectable bun at the back of her head.
‘You good?’ I asked, hearing my foot tap nervously off the floor.
‘Yeah, but I can’t wait to tell you all about Mason,’ she gushed.
Zola and I burst out laughing as we headed back to the waiting area.
‘After the pitch, of course, but honestly, I think American guys might be different! I’m starting to think that maybe I was born on the wrong continent!’
We’d barely sat down when a petite woman in a pinstriped suit appeared.
‘Ella, Zola and Katy?’ she asked. ‘I’m Harper. Mr Link is ready for you now. Follow me.’
I glanced at my two friends and gulped down my saliva. This was it. This was our big chance.
‘Oh God!’ Katy murmured nervously under her breath.
Zola stood, smiling widely at the woman. ‘Just smile and nod, Katy. We have the pitch. We’re going to be just fine.’
Chapter Nine
Ella
We followed Harper down a corridor and into a vast conference room. Tall windows opened out onto Times Square, overlooking the endlessly bustling streets. A handsome man sat at the head of the circular oak table, chatting with a pretty young woman with a short, bobbed hairstyle.
‘Your ten o’clock, Mr Link,’ Harper said, widening the door and allowing us to step inside.
My palms were drenched in sweat, and I could tell by the looks on my friends’ faces that they felt the same way I did. Terrified.
Jimmy Link’s eyes fell on me as a broad smile appeared on his face. ‘Finally, I got you three to America!’ He approached us, holding out his hand in a gesture of pure confidence.
‘Nice to meet you. I’m Katy,’ she said, giving his hand a shake.
‘And I’m Zola.’
He turned to me, his head tilting slightly. ‘Which means you must be Ella.’
Jimmy Link was not only handsome, he was jaw-droppingly handsome. He looked like he might be Michael B. Jordan’s brother, with his smooth dark skin and crystal-white teeth. He held an immediate presence in the room; I could feel his energy and charisma bouncing off the walls.
‘Yes, I’m Ella. It’s so good to meet you finally in person,’ I replied, quickly skimming my sticky palm off my dress before shaking his hand.
