where the sale rack was. She waved them toward the back corner of the store.
A woman came in next, wearing a very stylish dress with stiletto heels and dark sunglasses. The jewelry around her neck was stunning and eye-catching. She was definitely not a local.
She came up to the counter and removed her glasses. "Keira Blake?"
"Yes. Can I help you?"
"I'm Margot Devane. I've emailed you several times. My client, Jessica Stillman, is very interested in your work."
"Of course. I'm sorry. It's been a busy week. Ms. Stillman wants a dress for an awards show in October. Is that right?"
"She does. But now she's doing a movie festival in Rome in September where she'll have several events that need very special outfits. She'd like to discuss everything with you as soon as possible. She loved Chelsea Cole's dress. She feels that you're someone who will give her something original."
"I'm so happy to hear that."
"Good. Because this is an incredible opportunity. I'll be honest with you. I've tried to have her work with designers in LA where I'm located, and she has turned everyone down. She wants you, and she sent me here to tell you that she won't take no for an answer. She'd like you to come to LA as soon as possible for a meeting."
"Uh." She was a little overwhelmed by Margot's words. "I have a lot going on this week. I have a wedding on Saturday, and I have my businesses to run."
"Are you saying you don't want to meet her?"
She licked her lips. What the hell was she thinking? "No, I'm not saying that. I would love to meet her, but it would have to be next week at the earliest. If she wants to talk before then, we could do a video chat."
"No, she wants to get to know you in person. Why don't we try for next Monday?"
"Next Monday?" she echoed. "That might be a little soon."
"Working with Jessica will be incredibly lucrative for you. I really don't understand your hesitation. She's one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood right now."
"I know, and I am very honored—really. I just have some family issues."
"All right, but I'll need an answer by Friday." Margot handed her a card. "I look forward to setting up your trip. It's my job to get Jessica what she wants, and she wants you. Let's make this work for both of us."
She picked up the card. "I'll let you know by Friday. Thanks for the offer."
"You can thank me when you get to LA."
She let out a breath as Margot left and stared at the card in her hand. She felt like she'd just been handed a ticket to something amazing. The other people who had emailed her after the awards show had either not responded back to her email or had dropped out after all the bad press she'd received, but Jessica either hadn't seen that press or didn't care. Dressing her for several events could be huge. But this ticket to something amazing would require her to make some tough decisions about her future.
She'd been feeling overwhelmed for the past year. She couldn't add one more thing to her plate without getting rid of something. But what?
A wave of panic ran through her. Her gut was churning. It was just too much. She was already feeling emotional about losing Dante. Now, she had to make a life-changing decision about her career. She didn't want to do that. She wanted to dive into bed and pull the covers over her head.
There was also no guarantee Jessica would hire her even if she did fly to Los Angeles and talk to her. She could be put through a series of test designs and in the end, Jessica might decide not to use her and then all that time would be wasted. It was a risk. But wasn't it just the risk she wanted? This could be the beginning of her own design business, one that went beyond her friends.
As the teenage girls brought clothes up to the counter, she put down the card and focused on what she had to do right now. It was actually a relief. She knew how to sell clothes in her boutique and make customers happy. The rest she still had to figure out.
Dante was annoyed that Keira hadn't texted him back by the end of the day. She was clearly avoiding him, and he didn't know what to do about it. Should he give her space?