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Iknowall that. But he wasn’t there when I needed him. And he’s not going to be there, now. He’s still Noah, the guy who will fall in bed with a woman at the first opportunity. I’m not the same Raven.
“Excuse me,” someone says, coming to our table. She’s short and plump with frizzy hair and a tablet. Her sequined dress accentuates her voluptuous curves even more and catches the light when she moves. She wears diamond clips in her hair that makes her look young, but she’s forward, and I always admire someone who takes a leap. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but…are you Raven Kirby? Owner of Ruby Blue?”
I nod and she colors, her cheeks becoming bright red.
“I’m a writer for The Daily Deal. Would you mind if I interview you for the magazine?”
“Not at all,” I say, and Michelle nods enthusiastically.
“My name’s Patricia Whitter,” she says.
I introduce Michelle to her, and she launches into a few questions about the business, my designs, and how we started out.
“What brought you to New York fashion week?” Patricia asks.
“It’s time to expand,” I say.
“We’re bursting at the seams with art we want to share with the world,” Michelle adds. “We’re here to look for potential to expand our line.”
“How do you feel about how the show has been so far?” Patricia asks.
“It’s been a dream,” I say. “But fashion has always been the stuff dreams are made of. Designing something is one thing, but being able to share it with others and seeing the same passion reflected in them…that’s magic.”
Patricia asks Michelle a few questions about the business side of things, and I love watching Michelle do her thing. She’s incredibly good at what she does, and her answers are eloquent and to the point. I’m not as well-spoken as she is. She’s the one who loves being in the spotlight, where I’m the one who hides in the corner to draw. I draw designs on napkins in restaurants. I get lost in fabric shops. Michelle runs social media and handles marketing. We’re two sides to the same coin, and that’s why this works.
It's only when it comes down to something, like when I got pregnant, and needed to talk to Noah, that I wish I had the skill to get down to the nitty-gritty without being nervous about it. It would have worked much better if I’d been so confident about how I came across.
But I’m not going to think about the past and worry about how I could have done things differently. It won’t change anything; it will only make me miserable.
As if Patricia’s interview opened the flood gates, more reporters and blog writers flock to us. They know who I am; they recognize me and my brand. The concept is surreal—I’m not just a nobody anymore. I’m a name out there, someone they want more of.
After a few more interviews are over and I feel like the smile I plastered on my face might stick forever, Michelle smiles, satisfied.
“This is exactly why I wanted to come here tonight.” She lifts her hand to catch the attention of our server and orders more wine. “I was hoping we would be interviewed. They love you! You have no idea how big this is going to be.”
“Do you think so?” I ask.
Michelle nods enthusiastically. “Absolutely. Do you think someone tipped them off that you are here? No way. They recognize you because you’re fantastic and it’s about time you realize how huge this can be.”
The server brings us wine and I sip it, taking in what happened tonight, taking in the future it might lead to.
“This is the exposure we need; I’m telling you now.” Michelle drinks her wine, too.
“I hope so,” I say.
“Yes! That’s what you need to do. Dare to hope, my friend.”
I laugh. I’m glad we came. I’m glad this is working out. It’s a good first day, and if the start of the week is like this, what could possibly go wrong?
Chapter 5
Noah
“They really went all out,” Rooster says, looking around the bar area.
I rub my hands together. “Just what I wanted.”
The bar is filled with designers, PR, fashion editors, and best of all, the models. Their hair and makeup are still in catwalk form, and there are enough cameras around that it can turn into a photoshoot if someone takes enough initiative.
