I match my bestie’s grin before facing the rest of the team.
“I wish we were here for pleasantries,” I begin, fingers resting lightly on the back of my chair. “But I’m not going to lie to you, I’m upset. Our Q2 numbers are down 12 percent in print and nine percent in digital engagement.”
I watch a few people shift in their chairs.
“We can blame market trends. We can blame attention spans. Or…we can admit we played it safe last quarter.”
Silence and then a grunt from Siobhan, one of my day ones, who then proceeds with, “Or,” she drags out the word. “We can blame your sister. She was supposed to give us an exclusive that would have hadModflying off the shelves.”
My eyebrows lift, and I tilt my head with a grimace.
“I mean, no offense, Mar, I’m just being honest.”
Honest,of courseshe was. It was the Siobhan way. It wouldn’t be the Siobhan way if she weren’t giving morality, high energy, and the unapologetic truth. In life and at each and every board meeting. I loved that about her. It was the reason I hired her to be my editorial director. But her truth was pouring salt on my irritability right now.
Truth hurts.
Mainly because, right now, my sister, Jinni, is a sensitive subject. For various reasons that would take an entire book to explain, so I won’t. At least not now.
(hint hint)
And although I’m upset that my baby sis reneged on the interview she promised she’d give us, I understand her reason for backing out. I’m proud of her for finally taking a stand and telling her story,herway.
A timid hand goes up from Janessa, another day one, who works in marketing. “What is going on with that and is there a way you can convince your sister to-”
“No.” I cut her off before she can finish. “There isn’t. Jinni has made up her mind and has decided to make a tell-all book. She doesn’t want any spoilers fromanyinterviews with anyone until after it’s released.”
Murmurs pick up between everyone in the room. Everyone except Lo, who gives me an apologetic look.
“Listen,” I interject once again. “Let’s stay focused.Please. We missed a good one with that, I agree. But we can, and wewillfind something better, if not just as good. I believe that we can turn these numbers around.”
Hell, we have to.
The Creative Director, Timmy, leans forward. “The self-love issue tested well in focus groups.”
“It did,” I nod in agreement. “But testing well and selling well aren’t the same thing.”
Janessa slides a manila folder across the table. “Can I remind everyone that our strongest performing issue in the last five years was the June Weddings feature?”
Lo taps her pen once against her notebook. “She’s right. Eighteen percent circulation spike. Thirty-two percent increase in ad partnerships. Bridal, travel, jewelry. It was a clean sweep.”
My mind floats back to June 2021. I don’t need to look at the numbers to know that Janessa and Lo are right. The issue is one of the few covers hanging on my wall at home. An African-American supermodel with skin the color of rich umber graced the cover. She was fresh in the super modeling world and irresistibly gorgeous. But it wasn’t just her beauty that had people rushing to the newsstands. It was the custom wedding gown by a Nigerian designer that sealed it. Flesh-toned silk that melted into her skin and the intricate hand-sewn beading that caught the light no matter which way she turned. The dress went viral and the cover sold out in days.
Siobhan clasps her hands together. “Which just goes to show that nostalgia and romance still convert.” A serene smile graces her red-painted lips.
“I actually put something together a few months ago, just in case we decide to do a wedding issue again.” Felix sits at the opposite end of the table and flips his laptop around to show us his mock cover concepts. Island citrus hues. Veils in motion. Bridesmaids in brown satin gowns. Sculptural presentations of food. Tables draped in floor-length tablecloths that swathed and pooled to the floor. As the art director, he’s truly created an eye-catching mood board.
Siobhan nods vigorously, her black, bone-straight hair that’s giving 1970s Cher, moving in waves. “I love it. I honestly havebeen thinking the same thing for some time now. We should revisit the theme. But that’s justmyopinion.”
I feel like a Negative Nancy when I say, “I love it too, but do we really need another wedding issue?Moddoesn’t cover weddings.”
Siobhan rolls her eyes. “I mean, we want to do what sells, right? And weddings are hot. They sell.”
Lo nods. “I’m with Siobhan. I mean, maybe not awhat’s in for 2026 wedding trendsissue per se, but maybe covering acelebritywedding instead.”
My mind goes into overdrive, and I voice my confusion out loud. “Who is getting married?”
“Zendaya and Tom,” Janessa answers. “Well, I mean it’s highly anticipated and rumored.”
