Melina as someone who’s tough and strong, especially on the outside. That’s the persona she presents. But underneath, she’s still feminine. That’s why I like the juxtaposition of fabric. Jersey with metal buttons. A wool military-style jacket with lace cuffs and seed pearl detail.”
“I could show these to her if you like.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. But according to the fashion design grapevine she has a designer lined up already.”
Sure she meant herself, but it wasn’t like she was lying.
Chapter Six
“Hi, Melina.”
“Joleee!” Melina squealed, her Eastern European accent pronounced. If they hadn’t been on the telephone she no doubt would have kissed Jolie on both cheeks. “You are calling about contract, no? Is not final. Not yet,” Melina acknowledged. “The lawyers, they work on the details. One day. Two days, maybe.”
“I understand. Actually, I have a favor to ask. Two favors, actually.”
“You sign contract to be designer for me, I do favors for you.”
“It’s about your agent, Court—”
“Court? Yes, he is divine man. I adore him. He do anything I ask. You want I fix you up with him?”
A bubble of laughter escaped from Jolie. Part of Melina’s appeal was how she often jumped to the wrong conclusions, sometimes with hilarious consequences. “No. I don’t need you to fix me up with him. I already know him. We grew up together.”
“What is favor?” Melina half covered the phone on her end and issued orders in her native tongue to someone.
“Could you not mention to Court that you know me?” Jolie continued when she had Melina’s undivided attention once again.
“Why is this? I do not understand.”
“It’s a long story. Court thinks he’s helping me. He might put in a good word with you for me.”
“What is good word?”
“A recommendation, so you’ll choose me to design your line.”
“I have already chosen you. I wait only for you to sign contract.”
Jolie closed her eyes. Conversations with Melina could be both exhilarating and exhausting. “Yes. But Court doesn’t know that. Just, if he mentions me, could you not tell him?”
“Why you not tell him? He is friend, no?”
Jolie thought of her past experience in the volatile fashion world. A couple of opportunities she’d become overly excited about that hadn’t come to fruition. How foolish she felt admitting she’d jumped the gun. “I’d prefer to tell him and everyone else as soon as I sign the contract. Not before, all right?”
“If you want I will say nothing. Saying nothing is easy.”
“Thank you, Melina. I appreciate it.” Jolie plunged ahead. “He might send you some ideas I’ve come up with for you. I’m not sure they’re right for your line, but since you were the inspiration for them I’d like you to see them
“This is also big secret?”
“I’ll explain everything to him when the contract is signed. Until then, I’m a bit superstitious about saying anything to anyone. I hope you understand.”
“Is no skin off my knee,” Melina agreed. “I will look at designs if he sends and I will say nothing that I am talking to you.”
“Thanks, Melina. I appreciate it.”
“Is not his business, anyway. He is for tennis only. Not fashion.”
Jolie hesitated. Melina’s offer would force her to choose between the career she’d made for herself and the possibilities designing Melina’s line would bring. Two of Jolie’s regular clients had asked her to design wedding gowns for them before. Chances were good she’d at least get a mention in the New York papers’ coverage of the weddings. Both women had agreed to be part of her publicity efforts in exchange for practically free gowns, since Jolie would charge them for the materials only. Her hope was that word of mouth would spread, she’d be asked to design for more brides and as her reputation grew, eventually she’d create her own line—and she’d have the security of her current job to fall back on while
“I could show these to her if you like.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. But according to the fashion design grapevine she has a designer lined up already.”
Sure she meant herself, but it wasn’t like she was lying.
Chapter Six
“Hi, Melina.”
“Joleee!” Melina squealed, her Eastern European accent pronounced. If they hadn’t been on the telephone she no doubt would have kissed Jolie on both cheeks. “You are calling about contract, no? Is not final. Not yet,” Melina acknowledged. “The lawyers, they work on the details. One day. Two days, maybe.”
“I understand. Actually, I have a favor to ask. Two favors, actually.”
“You sign contract to be designer for me, I do favors for you.”
“It’s about your agent, Court—”
“Court? Yes, he is divine man. I adore him. He do anything I ask. You want I fix you up with him?”
A bubble of laughter escaped from Jolie. Part of Melina’s appeal was how she often jumped to the wrong conclusions, sometimes with hilarious consequences. “No. I don’t need you to fix me up with him. I already know him. We grew up together.”
“What is favor?” Melina half covered the phone on her end and issued orders in her native tongue to someone.
“Could you not mention to Court that you know me?” Jolie continued when she had Melina’s undivided attention once again.
“Why is this? I do not understand.”
“It’s a long story. Court thinks he’s helping me. He might put in a good word with you for me.”
“What is good word?”
“A recommendation, so you’ll choose me to design your line.”
“I have already chosen you. I wait only for you to sign contract.”
Jolie closed her eyes. Conversations with Melina could be both exhilarating and exhausting. “Yes. But Court doesn’t know that. Just, if he mentions me, could you not tell him?”
“Why you not tell him? He is friend, no?”
Jolie thought of her past experience in the volatile fashion world. A couple of opportunities she’d become overly excited about that hadn’t come to fruition. How foolish she felt admitting she’d jumped the gun. “I’d prefer to tell him and everyone else as soon as I sign the contract. Not before, all right?”
“If you want I will say nothing. Saying nothing is easy.”
“Thank you, Melina. I appreciate it.” Jolie plunged ahead. “He might send you some ideas I’ve come up with for you. I’m not sure they’re right for your line, but since you were the inspiration for them I’d like you to see them
“This is also big secret?”
“I’ll explain everything to him when the contract is signed. Until then, I’m a bit superstitious about saying anything to anyone. I hope you understand.”
“Is no skin off my knee,” Melina agreed. “I will look at designs if he sends and I will say nothing that I am talking to you.”
“Thanks, Melina. I appreciate it.”
“Is not his business, anyway. He is for tennis only. Not fashion.”
Jolie hesitated. Melina’s offer would force her to choose between the career she’d made for herself and the possibilities designing Melina’s line would bring. Two of Jolie’s regular clients had asked her to design wedding gowns for them before. Chances were good she’d at least get a mention in the New York papers’ coverage of the weddings. Both women had agreed to be part of her publicity efforts in exchange for practically free gowns, since Jolie would charge them for the materials only. Her hope was that word of mouth would spread, she’d be asked to design for more brides and as her reputation grew, eventually she’d create her own line—and she’d have the security of her current job to fall back on while
Similar Books
