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“Ugh, just an inside joke. And if I’m so valuable, why be such a pain in the ass?”
“This is a hard business to be in. You can’t always tell if people are only hanging around because of who you are—or who your parents are.” She frowned. “I think he’s been burned one too many times, so he’s scared of letting people in. He’s not very good at it.”
“You got that right,” I muttered, though it certainly made sense. Kendall had clearly fared better or just had a more positive outlook.
She leaned closer. “Especially with men as adorable as you.”
I had little time to react as Rowan came back into the room and we got started on the guest list for the second show. But I felt overheated for far too long.
At the end of the day, I was dragging from the sheer effort of trying to hold my emotions in check. Maybe it was better to walk away clean instead of hanging in there and trying to smooth everything over. But I didn’t have a job yet, though I’d already sent out my résumé for a couple of assistant jobs on the sales side since that was all that was available. I’d also scheduled an appointment with the temp agency at the end of the week out of necessity. No doubt they’d find something for me if I couldn’t manage it on my own.
When I stepped onto the elevator with Naomi, she said, “I heard you’ve given your notice.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“And how did that go over?”
“Not very well,” I replied as she eyed me closely. “Listen, the other night when you saw me—”
“None of my business,” she cut me off.
“Okay, then.” I stared awkwardly up at the display. “Maybe I should take your lead in my next job.”
“And what is that?”
“Stay invisible and don’t get involved?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Sorry, sometimes I say stuff I shouldn’t.”
“I’ve noticed.” Her tone was curt but not much different than it always was. As the doors parted, she said, “Between you and me, I’m biding my time as well. Might put some feelers out. Something more corporate. Someone…I can relate to better.”
As I watched her walk past security and through the revolving doors, I was struck by how much her confession bothered me. But hadn’t I just done the same thing? Kendall was gracious and giving, but I supposed that wasn’t always enough. Sometimes personalities didn’t match up. And then life moved on.
When I got home, Casey and I talked about our days over soup and sandwiches. He was crushing on that same cute guy at work but wasn’t sure if the feeling was mutual.
“Ask him to hang out and see what happens.”
“Maybe,” Casey muttered, his cheeks red. “You know what we need? A night out at a club.”
“Sounds good. Let me know when,” I said, but I didn’t really feel it.
It was like my entire worldview had shifted.
22
“Just a reminder that I set up a couple of interviews for you right after the second show,” I said that morning after Rowan had had enough coffee. “Both candidates are enrolled in classes at Parsons.” The design school was well-regarded in fashion circles.
“I’m busy,” he said without taking his eyes off his computer screen.
“I make your schedule, you ridiculous human being. You don’t want to be caught without an assistant, especially in the fall. Don’t you want someone who knows fashion and can pull outfits for you because they have an eye for it?”
“You can pull them,” he said as if still in denial that I was leaving.
“You hate it when I do.”
“I’ll probably hate it no matter who does it.”
He had a point. He was rather possessive of his ideas, but that was what made him so good at his job. And rather exasperating as a boss.
We got started on the first show, and before we knew it, it was the end of the day. When I saw someone waiting near the elevators, seeming lost, I suddenly remembered the interviews.
“Are you John?” He was a cute twentysomething with stylish glasses, and I didn’t know why that sat strangely in my gut.
“Yes. I’m here to interview for a job with Rowan Abernathy?”
“Yep, follow me.” I motioned down the hallway, and we began walking in step. “I’m Shae, and you’ll be interviewing with Mr. Abernathy himself.”
His fingers gripped his messenger bag. “Oh my God, I’m so nervous.”
“Don’t be. It’s all cool.”
John was smartly dressed in a well-fitting suit that might’ve worked better for the corporate world, but at least it didn’t look cheaply made like mine had that first day. In the fashion world, you dressed either to stand out or to show how stylish you were. That might’ve been the idea behind his tie, which bore a trendy pattern.
I led him to the office, where Rowan was busy at the computer. “Rowan, this is John. He’s here for the assistant job.”
