“You are a visionary, Marley. I believe you can make this story unique.”
A server steps between Collette and Jerome to refresh their champagne glasses, but Collette barely pauses.
“This will be cinematic, intimate.Romantic. I can see the spread now. I’ve read your editor’s letters,” Collette says, her eyes piercing into mine. “You understand longing. You know how to make readers feel like they’re being invited inside something beautiful. This story won’t look like a generic celebrity feature. It will read like vintageVanity Fair.”
Angela coos. “Oh, yes! I see it too. This will be lovely.”
“You see what I mean?” Collette offers.
Carina groans and rolls her eyes, but Collette looks almost spellbound as she speaks, completely swept up in some vision forming inside her brain, and I wonder if this is what it’s like to work with her.
Work with her?
My goodness, I’m going to be working with a legend.
Wait, does that mean I accept?
My stomach flips, and Othello’s gentle squeeze on my shoulder reminds me that I’m not alone. While most of the guests at this table carry on with their own conversations, the people closest to me, including Carina, are watching and hanging on to our every word.
“There’s something about you that tells me I can trust you,” Collette says.
My smile dims, and guilt immediately crawls up my throat. I reach for my water cup, taking a long sip, as if it might somehow wash the feeling down.
“Which means I trust you with this story,” she continues. “And before you say anything, just know you will have full access. It will be exclusive to onlyMod.”
The look of doubt on my face makes her laugh.
“Yes, I know. There has been speculation online, of course.” She waves her hand dismissively. “But all they see is my daughter taking another one of her elaborate vacations. There have been no details about the ceremony. My team and I have kept NDAs in place and have a tight-lipped staff.” She motions around the table. “The guest list is personal for a reason. We have trusted friends and family here that know to keep this under wraps.” A pleased smile graces her mauve-painted lips, and she picks up her glass of bubbly.
I finally let out a breath of air I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
Carina’s Wedding.
Exclusive access.
Collette Randolph.A freaking icon!
I can’t believe this. I try not to let out a scream of glee as I digest everything I’ve been told. But I’m literally shaking with excitement. This is the kind of opportunity I couldn’t say no to. And the fact that she was offering it to me over dinner was a story my staff would swear I made up for dramatic effect.
This is too good to be true.
Maybe she’s not serious.
“Are you serious?” I ask.
“Oh, she’s serious,” Jerome mutters, around another bite of his fish. “She just doesn’t know how to stop working even when she claims she’s retired.”
Collette swats at her husband. “Oh, stop it! This will be great for Marley and great for me.Well,Carina,” she corrects before stabbing a roasted carrot with her fork.
“Can I have some time to think about it?” I ask.
Angela grunts out loud, and Collette’s fork drops and clinks against her plate. “Darling, what is there to think about?” she asks, looking slightly offended.
“You're being handed the story of a lifetime, and you're asking for time to think about it?” Angela adds.
“Oh, I mean, it’s an amazing,wonderfulopportunity. I just meant I need to talk to my team and see if–”
“See if what?” Collette asks incredulously. “I’m sure your team would be over the moon with an idea like this.”
