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Seventy-Three
BJ
Walk into Parks’ office on a Friday afternoon. I haven’t done this in years but I’ve always loved it.
Like picking her up is a public declaration that she’s mine.
I ask the girl at the front desk where Parks’ office is and she points me in the right direction.
Few squeals and I’m stopped for a few photos on my way through. Hope Parks sees and it’s a freebie to piss her off.
But then I round the corner to her office and she’s not there. Stand in it for a minute anyway because I’m proud of her. She’s always wanted to work in fashion.
“Equally as established, respected and unapproachable as Anna Wintour but less sunglasses-y” was Magnolia’s career goal in Upper Sixth.
I’ve never known what I wanted to do — much to Dad’s dismay. Fell into the modelling thing. Elite signed Parks when she was thirteen, did it for a while through high school but she didn’t like it. Through her they signed me. Then the Instagram thing took off too. It’s never been a conscious thing, just a thing I did because it was in front of me. Made good money, wore sick clothes, kissed hot girls. Good deal, really. But sometimes I wonder how it’d feel to know what you want to do. The only thing I’ve ever been sure about is Parks.
I wander back into the hall. Hear laughing from Richard Dennen’s office, follow the sound, poke my head in. Sure enough, she looks over at me, surprised I’m here.
“Hi—” She sits up a little straighter.
Black and white checked dress with puffy sleeves, black heels, red headband. Kind of looks how she did in school, back when I thought I couldn’t love her more than I did at the time. Life is weird like that, how it lets you love to a breaking point but the breaking point is just more ways to love that person.
“Hello there!” Dennen grins, standing, extending his hand. “Ballentine, what a surprise.”
I take it, grinning over at him. “So good to see you, man.”
“Just passing through?” he asks.
I nod my head towards Parks. “Came to see if this one wanted to grab lunch.”
“Care to join?” Parks asks him brightly.
“Wish I could.” He tilts his head. “Got a call with Paris.” He looks between us. “Are you two back on?”
Magnolia lets out a little laugh and our eyes hold for a long second.
“On the way.” I nod.
“We’re taking the scenic route,” she tells him dryly.
He laughs. “Happy for you both.”
“Don’t be too happy for us just yet, Rich — there’s still plenty of time for Beej to cock it up again.” She stands up, flattening her dress.
He chuckles and tosses me a wink.
Follow her out of his office.
“Where are you taking me?” She spins around on her heel to face me.
I shrug. “Where do you want to be taken?”
“Roughly in the supply closet?” She gives me a playful look and I fucking blush. Shake my head at her, trying not to laugh.
She pushes her hair over her shoulders.
“Are you taking me to lunch or shopping?”
