LITMIR.BIZ

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for future fittings for children and brides alike.

      Twenty minutes later, Josie waved the twins goodbye and earned a big chocolate-infused hug from Charlotte. Their mother covered her phone with her hand and thanked Josie for her time and hard work.

      Josie walked to the bridal fitting area and dropped onto the fainting couch. Tin-foil candy wrappers crinkled underneath her. She tipped her head and checked the pocket-watch wall clock hanging from a chain on the wall. Fifteen minutes until the next family arrived for their costume fittings. Could she make it to the corner store and back for a candy-dish refill? She also had to finish the burgundy ball gown, suit pants and six other alterations for clients to pick up tomorrow.

      The bells on the front door chimed. A familiar voice shouted, “Josie. Where are you?”

      In an alteration abyss. Josie called out, “In the back.”

      Mia Reid—formerly Mia Fiore—and Josie’s friend and business roommate spoke over the chiming bells. “The front door is sticking again. We need to get it fixed.”

      Josie added the door repair to the bottom of her to-do list, after paying the bills and finding more clients. Josie had welcomed Mia and her start-up photography business into her boutique a year ago. In the past few months, Mia’s business had grown from portraits to events like society weddings and corporate gatherings and, most recently, still-life photographs for the global lifestyle magazine Coast to Coast Living. Josie celebrated Mia’s success and wanted her good friend to thrive.

      She just wanted to celebrate her own success, too. But Josie’s bridal boutique and custom-dressmaker services had stalled somewhere between formal gown alterations and resizing everyday work wear.

      Mia dropped her camera equipment near her photography displays and skipped toward Josie. Mia had been skipping since she’d recited her wedding vows three weeks ago. She punched her arms over her head like a cheerleader celebrating her team’s game-winning touchdown. “I have the absolute best news ever.”

      Josie brushed candy wrappers onto the floor and dropped her arm over her eyes. How could she be so exhausted from only one kid appointment? She had more than a dozen to go—she was going to require a warehouse of chocolate. “Unless it involves a wealthy Prince Charming sweeping me off my feet, it can’t be the absolute best news ever.”

      “You always tell me you can stand fine on your own two feet,” Mia argued. “No sweeping required.”

      Josie peeked at her friend from under her arm. “Maybe I changed my mind.”

      Mia laughed, the sound infectious and bright. “You’re telling me you’ve given up your dream to be the city’s go-to dressmaker, become wealthy on your own and live happily-ever-after exactly as you want?”

      Josie frowned and wished the candy bowl wasn’t empty. The foster-care system had taught her the only person she could rely on was herself. Her disastrous marriage had reinforced that lesson. She hadn’t forgotten. “Not exactly.”

      “Then listen to my best news ever.” Mia tugged on Josie’s arm, pulling her to a sitting position.

      Josie rearranged the ends of her long silk scarf and rolled her shoulders—the ones she relied on that hadn’t failed her yet. “Let’s hear it.”

      “Adriana Taylor needs a new wedding-dress designer.” Mia plucked one of Josie’s consignment wedding gowns from the rack and held it in front of her.

      “Adriana Taylor has fired more than a dozen designers.” Josie crossed her arms over her chest and eyed the dress Mia held. If she removed the long sleeves, added a deep side split and sweeping train, she’d transform the gown. Lace appliqués and a sheer back would upscale it. Was that fashion-forward or fashion-yesterday? A bride would likely alter Josie’s vision. It was better to let the bride decide on the modifications, using the original vintage gown as the base. “That isn’t a surprise about Adriana.”

      Mia stuck the dress on the crowded rack and faced Josie. “Will you be surprised when I tell you that you are going to be Adriana Taylor’s new wedding-gown designer?”

      Josie finally understood the purpose of the antique fainting couch. A burst of joy shook her, but just as quickly, fear frayed her excitement. What if she wasn’t…? “Me?”

      Josie could hardly tame a pair of four-year-olds. How was she supposed to handle Adriana Taylor, rumored to be one of the city’s leading bridezillas? Word had spread through the fashion industry about the Taylor sibling, reaching even Josie’s small-time boutique.

      “Yes. You.” Enthusiasm infused Mia’s movements and voice. “Theo Taylor’s assistant is going to call you to confirm a time this week for you to show the Taylors your designs.”

      “This week.” Doubt and unease soaked through Josie’s words.

      “I don’t know your schedule so I couldn’t just set up the appointment.” Mia twisted her long hair into a bun and fastened it with a jeweled clip Josie had created. The only original thing Josie had created in the past six months.

      Anytime this week was too soon. Josie lacked inspiration. The last few months she’d been upscaling used wedding gowns for budget-strained brides, not creating her own fashions. She doubted Theo’s sister wanted a used gown, however updated it was. “Why do the Taylors want me?”

      “Because I told them you’re the best designer in the city.” Mia looked herself over in the floor-to-ceiling mirror and grinned at Josie.

      Josie absorbed her friend’s compliment like a cat curled in the sunshine, grateful Mia believed in her. If only Mia’s confidence could chase away Josie’s uncertainty. “That was kind.”

      “And the truth,” Mia said. “You’re up for this, right? You know what this means?”

      She could pay next month’s rent on time, and the month after that. Launch her custom dress-making business rather than suffocating one alteration at a time. “I’m stunned. I’m still processing.”

      “Well, process faster. If you design an original gown for Adriana, I get to shoot the June wedding edition, cover to cover.” Mia swung around to face her. “And you’ll get billing and your own spread in the issue.”

      “That’s…” Josie faltered. If she failed, she’d let down Mia, too. Her friend—one of her only friends. How would Josie ever forgive herself? How would Mia ever forgive her? Josie touched her forehead as if that would stop the sudden spinning.

      “Incredible. I can’t wait to tell Wyatt.” Mia pumped her fists. “This can launch your business and mine to the next level.”

      Josie wanted the next level. Needed the next level. Now wasn’t the time to discover a sudden fear of heights. Still, worry swept through her and her stomach swayed.

      “And you can come with me to the Coast to Coast Living holiday gala,” Mia said. “It’s the networking event of the year.”

      Josie concentrated on Mia’s composed voice and optimism to counterbalance her own fear. The Coast to Coast Living holiday gala was one of the premier events in the city. The Taylor family invited every vendor, retailer and contractor who’d helped make their global magazine and lifestyle brand a success. Invitations were coveted. Opportunities to meet other business leaders were exceptional. That disquiet slowly returned.

       There are no shortcuts to success, Josie. And the climb isn’t always comfortable, either.

      Wise words from Mimi. Josie had pricked her finger on a needle during their sewing lessons. A glittery Band-Aid, sugar cookies and a trip to the fabric store had righted Josie’s world and convinced her she’d master sewing, the same as Mimi.

      Josie poked a stray pin into the mouse pincushion on the side table and popped the doubt bubble inside her. “Looks like I need to start designing a wedding gown.”

      “Any chance you could design dresses for us, too?”

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