“Is that who I think it is?” Vanessa gasped, her eyes widening.
“I’m sorry, Vanessa, but I can’t say anything about my clients,” Maggie said coolly. “Now, please, if you could wait in the breakroom. Help yourself to refreshments.”
"Of course," Kevin agreed at once, on his feet.
"No problem at all, Maggie," Vanessa breathed, all but sprinting for the door.
"Of course, Maggie," Michael said evenly.
He stood. He took the folder as his eyes met Maggie's for a single beat before he turned to follow Kevin and Vanessa out. The small ghost of a smile that moved across his mouth made her want to laugh out loud as she could see he was enjoying this as much as she was. It had been many years since he’d been part of one of hers or Linda’s schemes.
As Maggie walked out of the design room, she put a hand to her mouth to hide her amusement. As expected, the celebritywas standing in the middle of Maggie's sales floor looking like a queen.
She was in the outfit Maggie had couriered to her that morning. The cream silk separates Maggie had pulled from the new rack at dawn and put in a box with no label. The top fell from her collarbones in a perfect column. The wide-leg trousers caught the morning light. Maggie's smallest leather sandal, in the soft taupe Maggie had agonized over for a season, finished the line at her ankles. Her sunglasses were pushed up into her hair. Two of her three bodyguards were positioned at the door. The third was standing a discreet two steps behind her and her assistant, a tiny slip of a woman, slightly behind her.
She turned the moment Maggie came through, and her face lit up.
"Maggie, darling," the celebrity called warmly. "This new Maggie Original outfit you designed for me is absolutely gorgeous." She lifted the pants slightly to show her delicate foot. “And these shoes, Maggie, are to die for. They are so comfortable.”
"I am so glad you like it," Maggie answered, crossing to her, for their customary cheek air kisses.
"Like it? I am never taking it off," she said with an exaggerated flair.
It was right at that moment that Vanessa moved. Maggie felt it more than saw it out of the corner of her eye, and then Vanessa slightly bumped her shoulder to stand right next to Maggie.
"Oh my goodness," Vanessa breathed, all but knocking Maggie sideways in her haste. "I am such a huge fan. I have followed your career for years. I’m Vanessa. I’m Maggie’s family. I would just love it if I could get a picture with you."
The celebrity's eyes flicked to Maggie's for the smallest fraction of a second.
Maggie kept her face completely neutral.
"Of course. Anything for Maggie’s family," the celebrity said warmly, turning the full force of her professional smile on Vanessa. "I just have to ask you to sign a quick waiver. My team makes me do it for everyone. It is just a formality."
"A waiver?" Vanessa asked, her smile faltering.
The celebrity clicked her fingers without looking. Her assistant produced a tablet so quickly that Maggie almost missed the motion. She angled it toward Vanessa. A neat single-page document was already on the screen with a signature box at the bottom.
"It just says you will not use the photograph to imply any kind of professional, commercial, or personal connection with me," the celebrity explained breezily. "No endorsements, no marketing, no claims of association, no public posting suggesting a friendship or business relationship. It’s standard for me. My legal team would actually kill me if I let anyone take one without it." She smiled at Maggie. “Even the family of Maggie.”
"Oh," Vanessa said. She glanced at the document, and without reading it, she tapped her finger across the screen toward the signature line. "Of course," she added. "Whatever you need." Then, without a second thought signed.
The assistant withdrew the tablet smoothly.
"Wonderful," the celebrity beamed. "Now you can take the picture."
Vanessa pressed herself close to the celebrity's side. The celebrity arranged her own face into the practiced lit-up smile that had sold a hundred magazine covers. To Vanessa’s amazement, the celebrity took the phone from her and, in a single quick motion, clicked the photo, then handed the phone back to Vanessa.
"There you are," the celebrity said brightly.
"Thank you so much," Vanessa breathed.
"Shall we?" Maggie invited, gesturing toward the design room.
"Lead the way," the celebrity answered, turning to her team. “You four wait here.”
Maggie closed the design room door behind them.
The celebrity dropped the smile.
