& invited us here. You’d laugh. Ty’s losing to Kristen Wiig in beer pong!
Leia paused, her nose scrunching like she smelled something rotten.
“Tyler’s there too?” Sarah craned her neck, angling toward the tiny screen in her sister’s hands. “Shantelle’s socializing with him?”
Leia nodded, immersed in her phone. “Well, Morgan is Tyler’s defense partner. They’re best friends, pretty much.”
“Like that’s not super awkward.”
I knew she’d say that. “I can be friends with Shantelle and Morgan without seeing Ty, you know. She’s always had my back.” Scrolling, scrolling, Leia’s thumb was on a mission. “She was there for me when it mattered, after the fire. No one else was.”
“I was!” Sarah protested. “And Dad.”
“I didn’t mean you guys—of course you were amazing. I meant Erika, the other wives—they weren’t there for me.” A stinging sensation prickled the back of Leia’s nose as her finger slowed its wild scrolling, nudging away Shantelle’s rambling mentions of Lizzo and chopitos. “One whiff of scandal and I was on my—” Her eyes popped. “Oh?!” No, really? She blinked at the screen and read the words again.
upcycled gown…red carpet…March 28
A burst of adrenaline shot through her. “Holy shit!” Sniffing her nose, she looked up from the screen, her mouth agape. “She meant it! She really meant it! Shantelle wants me to dress her for a premiere in March!”
“Seriously?!” Sarah’s gleeful stare collapsed. “But—I though you said her movie wasn’t out for months?”
“The gown isn’t for her premiere, it’s—I’ll read it to you.” Leia licked her lips, her smile reflecting back from the screen.
Shantelle: Scotty, please tell me you’re home soon? I need an upcycled gown for the New York red carpet of A Promise Unspoken on March 28.
Leia glanced at her sister. “This is bananas! Simon’s actor friend is in that movie.” She dove back in, reading aloud.
Shantelle: The film’s director is friends with my director & the studio wants me to BE SEEN. I want to look cute! But can we scrap what we discussed before? I’ve kinda changed my mind. Please don’t hate me!
“She changed her mind?” Sarah arched a brow. “How considerate.”
Leia shook her head. “No, it’s fine. We talked red carpet looks ages ago. Shantelle used to love short hems and sequins…” She dipped her chin and resumed reading the messages out loud.
Shantelle: I’d like floor-length, no sparkle. Make my ass look fierce & everything else is up to you. I TRUST you! You’ve got my measurements, right? Let me know if you need anything else. Btw, if you style me that night, too, I can make sure you get a nice payday from the film studio! Plus, I need you there by my side!
Leia’s smile crinkled her eyes. “Yesssssss, she shoots, she scores!” Squeezing her phone, she punched the air in triumph, a playful laugh escaping her lips. “I knew she’d come through! She might be hard to pin down sometimes, but when she makes a promise…”
“So, you’ll get paid for styling her, but not for the actual gown?” asked Sarah.
“Yeah. Most designers loan their dresses to celebs for big events. They rarely get paid. It’s all about exposure and press coverage. A single mention of a designer’s name on the red carpet can result in thousands of dollars in future sales.”
Falling back into the couch’s cushions, Leia dropped her phone on the blanket and let out a breathy sigh, her lips sliding into another massive smile. This could change everything. “Just imagine, Shan posing in my gown, cameras snapping away as she tells reporters she’s wearing sustainable fashion from Frill-Seekers. Celebs will see my gown. The fashion world will see my gown! What if they want to meet me, collaborate, interview me for Vogue…?!”
Sarah’s concerned frown didn’t stand a chance against Leia’s cheek-aching grin. She gave in and flashed the smile Leia loved, all shiny brown eyes and almost perfect teeth. “I can see it now: my sister, fashion’s new IT girl! Captivating buyers, seducing shoppers, sharing her passion for clothing with a conscience in celebrity gossip columns—” Sarah froze, her face souring over the words she couldn’t take back. “I mean”—she cleared her throat—“I know you’ve been featured before, but…”
Yeah—for all the wrong reasons. A tingling sensation unsettled Leia’s heart and her sunny smile faded as colorful Manhattan gossip pages scrolled through her mind, memories of being hounded, of her self-esteem being torn to shreds. All those photos—private moments and embarrassing revelations splashed across the web for strangers to devour. Erika’s wedding reception… the police car on our curb… Her