My Dad's College Friends - Cassandra Dee Page 0,32

changes.

I toss my phone on the table while I eat. Some random show on Netflix is playing in the background, but I’m not paying attention. I’m too distracted by my misgivings about Galen.

After all, he’s a great guy so why am I ruminating like this? We have a good time when we’re together. He’s a bit vain, but that’s to be expected from a male model. Most ladies would give their right arms to be with him, and instead, I’m feeling glum.

Plus, all my friends swooned when we first met my fiancé at a fashion show. They were shocked when he seemed interested in me, and even more shocked when we hit it off right away. After all, the two of us are like night and day. He loves staying out, partying with friends, and indulging in the occasional joint. On the other hand, I’m very straight-laced. I love going to bed early and spending quality time with Netflix and a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. Yet, I’m always amazed at how easy it is to talk to Galen and there’s rarely a lull in our conversations.

I take a sip of coffee from my favorite mug. My best friend, Paula, got it for me for graduation. It has one of my dress designs on it, and is one of my most prized possessions. I always use it for my evening coffee.

I probably shouldn’t use coffee to relax, but it’s my favorite drink after a long day at work. Somehow, caffeine has the opposite effect on me than everyone else. Plus, I need it after a long day on my feet. I love Coquetterie, but some of the women who shop there suck. They can be really mean, especially since I don’t look like them. They’re mostly stick thin, with an attitude to go with it.

That’s part of why I want to be a designer. None of the clothes at Coquetterie are made for curvy girls like me. The jeans don’t fit over my wide hips. Shirts are stretched to the limit over my chest. The clothes at my store only fit sticks with flat chests and no butts, and that’s definitely not me.

My designs are much more inclusive. They look good on traditionally thin models, but they also fit curvy girls. They’re meant to be for everyone, which might be why I’ve struggled to get my fashion career off the ground. Most of the big designers look down on clothes designed for curvy girls, like they’re too good for them. It smacks of snobbery and elitism, but I’m merely a small cog in this giant industry.

I sigh again. Maybe Galen can help me once we’re married. I’ve asked him in the past to make a call to his contacts, but he always brushed me off. All I want is for him to show my designs to one of his connections. He says that’s not how it works, but I know that’s not true. A big part of the fashion industry is about who you know, and not just what you know.

I’m sure Galen is just hesitant because it might have been awkward. If we broke up and I was designing clothes, we’d have to see each other all the time, and it would be embarrassing. I understand why he wouldn’t want that.

But now, we’re engaged. It’s supposed to mean that we’ll never break up, so we can become a fashion power couple. I can even start designing men’s clothes that Galen can model. It’ll be perfect!

I smile ruefully. I’m still not a hundred percent sure my fiancé’s on board with this plan, but we’ll figure it out. A girl like me doesn’t get a guy like Galen often, so there’s no way I’m letting him go.

I take another bite of my dinner. It’s the same thing I had last night and for lunch again today. This is one of those times that I’m bored of the food, but I’m going to eat it anyway. When you’re super broke, you don’t waste anything.

I should learn how to meal prep. I could make chicken on Monday and then have five different chicken dishes for the week. That will be especially helpful when Galen and I move in together and we have two full-time schedules to juggle. Not that he eats much. He is a model, after all.

But it’s also annoying that Galen wants to wait until we’re married to live together. I suggested we move into one apartment as soon as he