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“No kidding?” Lance holds his glass up toward mine. “Good for you.”
When Lance and Jeff’s attention turns back to the women, my body immediately relaxes.
I linger for a few more minutes to finish my drink. When I see that Lance and Jeff are settled in and have no desire to talk business any further tonight, I set my empty drink on the table and make my way out of the club.
CHAPTER30
Sophie
I’m staring at my laptop, willing my brain to start churning out ideas for my internship project, but like any good procrastinator, instead, I click over to my blog. Reading the comment section on my latest post makes me smile.
There’s a question about useful wedding party gifts and I click in the box to respond.
Emma drops down on the couch beside me. I finish typing and hit submit.
“How’s it going?” she asks, folding her legs beneath her. Her petite body is swimming in one of Griffin’s t-shirts and a pair of lounge shorts.
“Okay. No, that’s a lie. It’s terrible. I’ve been trying to work on my internship’s final project and I’m stuck. This isn’t like me. I’ve always thrived with projects and deadlines, but this feels different, like I can’t even start.” I set my laptop aside. “Do you ever feel that way? Like you can’t get started on a design? Like you’ve got no ideas?”
Her lips press together as she considers my question.
“Not really. I’m always brimming with design ideas after I meet with a new client.”
“Okay. That’s not helpful at all.” I laugh, but really, I want to cry.
She must hear the stress in my voice.
“But it used to happen. When I was working as a brand ambassador for a designer fashion line and I had to give presentations on brand trends and marketing strategies. I thought I was terrible at my job, but then I realized it was because I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing. That’s when I knew I needed to make a change. And I started designing, not just as a hobby, but as a career.”
I let Emma’s words sink in. Isn’t she telling me what I already know? What I’ve felt the past few weeks? That the job I’ve been determined to land at Marion Adler Events isn’t what I actually want.
“And that’s when you started Emma Belle Bridal?” I ask.
“No, it was another year of telling myself the brand ambassador job would get better before I finally decided to start my own business. It was terrifying, but I’ve found, it’s doing the scary things that have the most rewarding outcome. Like me and Griffin. I was so scared to tell him how I felt. To be vulnerable and risk rejection, that I almost didn’t. But the risk was worth the reward.” She smiles and I can tell she’s thinking of Griffin. “I try to keep that in mind now when things feel scary.”
I consider Emma’s advice. It would be so much easier If I could nail this final project presentation and land one of the permanent positions at Marion Adler Events. But easy isn’t always the right path.
“I’m still elated your blog will be featured inBridesand the issue hasn’t even come out yet. That’s so freaking cool.”
“Thank you. I’ve been playing with the idea of using my blog to launch a sustainable wedding planning business. Maybe making it an a la carte service or be a consultant.”
Her face lights. “I love that idea.”
“It’s just an idea. I need to be practical. You know, the whole paycheck thing is important.”
“That’s true. But maybe there’s a way to start working toward that business while you have a steady income. You’re already doing both right now.”
“I know. It’s a lot to think about.”
“You know you can talk to me about this stuff anytime, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, thanks.”
“It’s been fun this week. The two of us. I think I’ve seen you more this week than I have since you moved in.” She hesitates for a moment. “Is it because Griffin’s out of town that you’re around more? I don’t want to get in the middle of your relationship, but I know Griffin is feeling like something is off between you two.”
“It’s not because of Griffin,” I assure her.
It’s because of Hunter and our break.
