Chapter One
Hadley Cooper turned the page at lightning speed. She had only four minutes before she needed to grab her bag and leave for work. Unfortunately, this also happened to be the exact moment the time machine ran out of fuel and the portal to return to the present was slowly closing on her band of new book friends. She read quickly, her eyes sweeping across each sentence, gobbling up what happened next in the story as fast as she could. Her heart leapt into her throat as the suspense climbed to a terrifying crescendo. Janika, the protagonist, mashed the buttons, playing the control panel like a piano, anything to find a backup source that would give them enough power to make it home. Hadley exhaled and rolled her shoulders to ease the increasing tension. It didn’t work. They weren’t going to make it. With her hand covering her heart, she checked the clock.
“Oh no,” she breathed. While the characters were out of time, so was she. She sadly closed the book, reminding herself that, on the bright side, she had something to look forward to later that night. After holding the book to her chest for a few tender moments, she placed it gently on her coffee table and gathered her belongings for the day ahead.
Silhouette, the posh boutique on Rodeo Drive that Hadley proudly assistant managed, would open for the day at eleven. She would need to be there by ten to ensure the displays were updated and her staff briefed on the week ahead. She had an extra burst of energy, however, as today was the day she would meet in person with the up-and-coming designer she was convinced would help change the image of the store. The store’s owner and general manager, Trudy, had been hounding her for months about revising their current list of designers. Trudy wanted new lines that weren’t stuffy, weren’t geared to the over-forty-five crowd exclusively, and would give Silhouette an edgier appeal. No designer Hadley had presented her with thus far had fit the bill, and the pressure seemed to grow exponentially with each day that ticked by.
But this one was different. Spencer Adair came with a design book that left Hadley drooling. She would be new on the LA retail scene and came with a cult following on social media where she promoted her work, which she sold entirely from her own website. Making the leap to retail was a big deal, and Hadley wanted to be on the inside track. She was confident that once Trudy saw the same innovation that Hadley had, she’d be thrilled with Hadley’s find, and Silhouette would burst onto the forefront of the younger market, shooting it into the stratosphere of Rodeo history. At least, that’s how she imagined it would all play out, and dreaming was everything to Hadley. She lived for those pie-in-the-sky possibilities.
“Someone’s in a hurry,” Gia Malone said, as Hadley dashed from her apartment. The two had been next-door neighbors on the second floor of the Seven Shores apartment complex for close to three years now and best friends for nearly all of that time. Gia’s long dark hair was down that morning and she wore cut-off shorts and a bikini top, blending nicely with the August temperatures. In her right hand, she carried the remnants of what Hadley recognized as a protein smoothie that would usher Gia into her workout. As a professional surfer, she kept in tip-top shape.
“I got lost in my book,” Hadley said remorsefully. “I should have been on the road and sitting in traffic fifteen minutes ago, but it was so good I couldn’t stop.”
“I have a feeling you’ll smile your way out of any true consequence.”
Hadley sighed, straightening her designer black dress paired with designer heels, aka her upscale work clothes, not to be confused with her more comfortable Hadley-at-home persona. “But I’m also meeting with that new designer this morning, the one Elle recommended.” Elle Britton was Gia’s fellow surfer on the Women’s Pro Tour. The two were major competitors. She also happened to be Gia’s girlfriend, and the love of her life.
“Oh yeah? I didn’t realize that had panned out.”
“It hasn’t yet, but it will!” Hadley said with a smile and sprinkle of determination. “This is gonna be the one that gets Trudy off my back and puts Silhouette on the map.” She headed down the outdoor stairs to the central courtyard of the complex. “Gonna be a fantastic day, G,” she called over her shoulder.
“Yeah, it is. You’re gonna rock this meeting. Hit me up later tonight with all the details. We’re gonna want to hear all about it.”
She realized that meant Elle would be over, which was perfect! She adored Elle.
“Off to work, I take it,” Autumn Carpenter said as Hadley scurried past the adjacent coffee shop, the Cat’s Pajamas, on the way to the parking lot. Hadley beamed at Autumn, another of her three best friends. Autumn stood on the sidewalk, phone in hand, wearing her work apron over her ginormous stomach. The twins she was carrying were due the following week, and Hadley was about ready to burst herself—in her case from warm fuzzies and uncontrolled excitement.
“Yes!” Hadley said, with a smile. “I have a much-anticipated meeting with a designer before opening. Any signs of labor? Contractions? Nesting?” It was her standard series of questions.
Autumn touched her stomach. “While there is certainly a one-on-one soccer match going on in there, no labor pains yet.”
Hadley nodded. “You know that the second you feel them—”
“I am to call you immediately.” Autumn ran a probably tired hand through her untamed red curls. “I know the drill, Had. You remind me daily.”
Hadley kissed her cheek with a smack. “I adore you, so please don’t spend too much time on your feet today. Call that firefighting wife of yours for backup. You need to rest up for the big day.”
“Yes, ma’am. Have a great day at work.”
Hadley beamed, warmed by the sentiment. “Thanks! You, too.” With a final touch of Autumn’s stomach, aka her future honorary niece and nephew, she was on her way to work, singing loudly to eighties music as she maneuvered through the tangled traffic of LA. Making good time, she arrived at the store just a minute or two after ten.
Silhouette was a posh boutique, decorated very simply on purpose, with a black and white color scheme. Trudy was emphatic that minimalism was the way to go. The 800-square-foot store came with retail space on a lower level and a set of four wide stairs that led to a plush sitting area of white couches around a grouping of full-length and well-lit mirrors, allowing their clients to lounge with friends as they tried on a variety of pieces, with the help of a store attendant at their beck and call, of course. A little white wine never hurt a sale either. On Saturdays, the store was strictly appointment only, with a less formal structure during the week, in which the retail space was open to foot traffic from Rodeo Drive. Sometimes that meant traffic from tour buses that never bought anything, but secretly, Hadley liked the tourist visits. The friendly faces always managed to brighten her day.
“Good morning!” Hadley said with a smile, as she strolled through the retail space.
Daisy, one of her most valued employees, was already hard at work organizing their newest shipment of designer gloves for display. The hand mannequins were always such a pain that she was grateful Daisy had taken the initiative without having been asked. Daisy was a keeper.
“Morning, Had. Hey, have you seen the new Gucci blacks?” She held up a striking pair of long leather gloves. Hadley felt herself light up all over as she took the new arrivals in her hands reverently. She examined one side and then the other, taking in the richness of the leather and the intricate stitching.
“Wow! They’re even softer than last year.” She took a deep inhale, never tiring of that expensive leather aroma. She couldn’t afford gloves like these herself, but she could certainly enjoy being in their presence for a little while. “I predict we’re out by the end of next week.”
“At the latest,” Daisy said with a grin. “Even with my store discount, I sadly cannot justify these guys.”
“Yeah, but there are knockoffs all over town.”
Daisy winked. “Don’t think I’m not already putting out feelers.”
Hadley had always liked Daisy. Petite in size and barely five foot one, she wore her curly brown hair in a variety of interesting styles that kept Hadley impressed at her skill with a brush. But it was Daisy’s positive, willing-to-try-anything-for-the-good-of-the-team mentality that kept Hadley grateful for her support at Silhouette. They dealt with a lot of demanding clients, rich women who were used to getting exactly what they wanted. Some employees didn’t do so well in that arena and balked at being talked to a certain way. Working on Rodeo Drive required a certain finesse, Hadley had learned over the years, and a willingness to bounce back from an afternoon with a difficult customer. Daisy, however, with her great big smile and patience for weeks, was the perfect person for their sales floor. In fact, Hadley saw a lot of herself in Daisy. They’d both graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising right there in LA. They’d both started in sales, with Hadley working her way up to management. She had no doubt that Daisy, if she put in the time, could do the same.
Hadley checked her watch. “Miranda should be in in the next thirty minutes. Get her to help you.”
“Yay,” Daisy said, with a modicum of enthusiasm. Miranda not only took her job very seriously, she also took the rest of the world that way. Hadley had less confidence in her ability to succeed in the high-end retail world, but time would tell. “You headed back to the office?”
“Yes. I have a meeting with a new designer in just a bit. Spencer Adair. When she arrives, will you show her back?”
“On it,” Daisy said, with a smile. Her focus was immediately pulled away so she could awe at another new pair of gloves.
Hadley laughed. “One day, Daisy, we’re gonna be able to afford all the gloves.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
Hadley excused herself to the small office at the back of the store that she shared with Trudy. Given that Trudy didn’t clock many hours in the store itself, Hadley had taken firm possession of the space. As she took her seat behind the cherrywood sculpted desk, she smiled at the photo of her dads, the one they’d sent from Cabo on their most recent vacation. They looked sun-kissed and blissfully happy. She then turned to the photo of her along with her three best friends, Gia, Autumn, and Isabel, snapped on the beach the year prior. Isabel had her tongue out and Autumn was laughing at something off camera. One of her favorites. Staring at those all-important people in her life was how Hadley preferred to begin her day. She moved on to email next, including purchase orders, delivery schedules, and ad updates. Just as she’d slogged her way through a slew of recent orders and receipts, Daisy knocked lightly on her open door. “Hadley, Spencer Adair is here to see you.”
“Perfect!” Hadley said, beaming. She stood and waited as the designer she’d been dying to meet appeared. Her smile dimmed slightly because Spencer’s online photos hadn’t done her justice. Spencer Adair was…striking in every sense of the word. Her midnight hair was parted in the middle, but she wore it swept onto her right shoulder. She had large, luminous brown eyes, perfect brown skin that she must have dedicated some serious time to, and a soft smile on her perfect lips. There was something else there, though, and Hadley had picked up on it during their earlier phone call: confidence. Spencer Adair carried herself with a ton of it for someone who was likely under thirty, as though she knew exactly what she was out to accomplish and would own this city in no time.
“Hadley Cooper?” she asked.
Oh, that was a smooth voice. Velvet-like and easy. Spencer would be great on a nighttime radio call-in show. “That’s me. Nice to finally meet you in person.” She extended her hand and Spencer accepted it with a firm shake. Hadley, for reasons she wasn’t clear on, felt the need to wiggle her toes. Something about the warmth of the touch. She swallowed the unexpected toe-wiggling reaction. “As we discussed, I’m a big fan of your designs. You have so much talent.” She gestured to the arm chair across from her desk. “Please, have a seat.”
“Happy to,” Spencer said. She’d brought a hanging garment bag and her portfolio along with her. “I took a look around the store, which, of course, I’ve heard a lot about.”
“And?”
“It’s a beautiful space. Impressive.” She hesitated. “I’m struggling to figure out why you’re interested in meeting with me.”
“Well, to start with, because you’re good at what you do, and we want the best designers we can find.”
“Thank you.”
Spencer had incredibly long eyelashes, which was beside the point of the meeting. Seriously, though. Look at them. She did. Oh, how she looked! Hadley blinked and refocused. “And you bring fresh, new perspective to the fashion world.”
“I see.” She paused. “But if I may speak freely and possibly save us a great deal of time.”
“Of course,” Hadley said, curious to hear what had Spencer so clearly hung up.
“Please don’t take offense, but the store seems a little…white. You may or may not have noticed, but I’m not.”
Hadley opened her mouth and closed it again, not sure what the correct response was in this scenario. She decided to just go with honesty. “I know exactly who you are, and I love what I’ve seen of your work online, from the runway videos, the shots of your customers wearing your clothes. All of it.”
Spencer nodded and seemed to accept the compliment. “You think I’m a fit for this place? Because looking around out there…” She didn’t finish the sentence, but she didn’t have to. Her facial expression said it all, and honestly? Spencer wasn’t off base. A good portion of their clientele were white women over the age of forty, and their slate of designers could best be described as…conservative, if not stuffy, to cater to that very market. But it was one of the things Trudy was hoping to adjust when she charged Hadley with the task of bringing in new lines, new designers. Their goal was to appeal to a wider market so the store had longevity, an eye on the future, and an appeal to a wider, younger audience. Their price point wasn’t exactly universal, and that wasn’t likely to change. But with real estate what it was on Rodeo Drive, they had to keep the lights on somehow. Spencer produced high-quality clothes that came with the sophistication that could command a high-dollar price tag.
“I understand why you would think Silhouette may not be a match for your work,” Hadley said, seeing the store through Spencer’s eyes. She placed both palms on her chest. “I wholeheartedly understand. But I think our interest in your designs is a signal that we’re trying to move out of that unfortunate and boring niche.” Spencer regarded Hadley with a dubious stare. She didn’t seem sold. But the reality was, they both knew this kind of retail exposure would be huge for an up-and-comer like Spencer who’d never ventured from online sales. Retail was a hard and expensive market to break into. Rodeo Drive was where everyone wanted to be…eventually, when they could manage it. Spencer had a chance at that now, right off the bat. It would be career changing, and Hadley couldn’t imagine her passing it up. No one would.
“Fair enough,” Spencer said, reaching for her garment bag. “Would you like to look over my new line? None of these samples have been viewed by anyone yet, but you seemed so interested. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t flattered when you called.”
“I’d love to.” Hadley laughed. “I’ve been staring at that bag since you got here.” A minor lie. She’d been staring at Spencer herself, which was probably rude and obvious and not at all how she was brought up to behave. But the clothes had her doing a happy dance, too. Hadley stood and excitedly came around the desk as Spencer hung a variety of pieces around her office. Hadley took her time exploring, studying the lines, which were classic in many ways, and the textures, which seemed to be a huge part of Spencer’s point of view as a designer. However, it was the color combinations and the accents that made each piece pop. Spencer’s work was beautiful, unique, and as always, pushing the envelope just a tad. Bare shoulders were in this season and her work showcased them, a nod to the mainstream. But in little glimpses, nothing gratuitous. She also embraced a wider pant leg in the age of slim, which in Hadley’s opinion was a breath of fresh air. A step away from the overt trend. But above all else, her color choices were bold and they worked. But were they universal enough? Did they have to be? Those questions circled her brain.
“I love your use of green,” Hadley said, running her hand down the soft sleeve of a peasant shirt. She wasn’t afraid of riskier choices. That was clear and a hallmark of her breadth of work.
“The promise of spring,” Spencer said. “I’ve always looked forward to that time of year when everything starts waking up again, and that sentiment was my touchstone when designing this year.”
Hadley surveyed the room, catching the smallest elements of nature woven in. “I can see it throughout now that you’ve pointed me to it. It gives everything…a common texture. A link.”
Spencer smiled. “Yeah, well, I like looking back at my work and knowing exactly what inspired me at the time. It’s important to me.”
“I admire that.” Hadley took a top off the hanger and felt the weight of it. “What I also like? You don’t cut corners with fabrics.”
“No. I’m a fanatic about fabric. I only use the best, which is why my price point is on the higher side. It hasn’t been great for my margins, but I’m willing to make less money for the sake of good clothes. I figure the business side of things will take care of itself eventually.”
“Precarious,” Hadley said. “But I get it.” She studied the designs. “I love what I see here, and with your permission I’d like to hold on to a few of these to present to Trudy Day, the owner, who has the final say.”
Spencer shoved her hands in the back pockets of her gray jeans. Her outfit was perfection. An off-the-shoulder cream blouse, the jeans, and taupe heels with the most interesting design snaking around the side. The heels gave Spencer the height edge, but it wasn’t by much.
“What do you think the chances are she’ll bite?” Spencer asked.
“Trudy? If she sees what I see, then I think you’ll be hearing from me soon with good news. She’s been pushing for someone just like you for a while.”
Spencer’s conservative smile blossomed into a full-on sincere grin. Hadley wiggled her toes. “I’ll leave the samples with you, then.” She extended her hand a final time. “It was a pleasure, Ms. Cooper. Thank you for seeing me.”
Hadley blushed. “Oh, Hadley, please. That’s what everyone calls me. Had works, too. Either, really.”
“Hadley it is.”
Spencer turned to go and then flipped back around as if on impulse. “How long do you think it might take, before I hear back?” She cared and it showed.
“Give me three days.”
Spencer seemed okay with that, nodding several times. “Thanks, again.”
“Of course.” She watched as Spencer Adair retreated from her office, leaving her alone with those fabulous pieces. Hadley had to restrain herself from trying on one of the tops then and there, though they would need to see them on people at some point before making any firm commitment.
“These are hers?” Daisy asked, stepping into the office.
“All of them. What do you think?”
Daisy walked the space, taking in each design. “I love them. Look at the asymmetry on this one. It has a camo feel, but it’s not entirely that either.”
“They’re unique. Multifaceted.”
“And amazing,” Daisy said, moving hurriedly to the next piece. “Where can I buy this top?”
“Hopefully here if I can convince Trudy.”
“A no-brainer. She’s going to love them! How could she not?” Daisy asked, her eyes dancing with the possibility. “I could sell these clothes for days if given the chance.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” In truth, Hadley hadn’t been more excited by a find in years. Yes, the designers they had on their roster were fine, and sold decently, but they were nothing to write home about. If they stuck with them, they’d never evolve with the times, and Silhouette would evolve into a strictly older women’s store as their clients aged.
Spencer Adair was different, and Hadley was ready to put her on the map. She tapped her lips and smiled. A shiver moved through her. “Daisy, today is an important day. I can feel it.”
The cell phone she kept tucked away while at work buzzed, pulling her away from the trajectory of the conversation. “My dad,” she said apologetically to Daisy, who nodded and gave her the office.
“Hi, Dad,” Hadley said, after clicking over. She spoke to her parents somewhere between once and ten times a day, depending on their supply of downtime in retirement. Dad called more often, as he was a little more sentimental, but Papa stepped it up when jealousy flared.
“Hey, Sunshine. Have you ever had a halogen lamp?” he asked, without waiting for a return greeting.
“I have. Why do you ask?”
“We’re considering one for the den but didn’t want to border on gaudy if we could avoid it, and with your sense of style, I knew you’d be the one to ask.”
“I say go for it. They’re fairly universal in terms of style, and provide a lot of light. With all the reading you both do, it would be a great source of illumination without distracting from your personal design.”
“That’s what I said. Speaking of, the new Stephen King is out and eight thousand pages, but I love it more than cheesecake, which you know comes with a large amount of love.”
“He’s been reading nonstop,” a deeper voice said.
Aha. They’d passed the phone.
“Hey, Papa!” Hadley said, with a smile. “Just make sure he’s stopping to sleep and eat. You know how consumed he gets.”
“Well, he’s eaten three slices of cheesecake since yesterday so I think we’re okay.”
“Four,” Dad said, taking the phone back. “And I have no issue owning it. Will we see you this weekend?”
“I’ll be by on Sunday.”
“Great. Your Aunt Jodie will be here with her new boyfriend, the one with the unfortunate piercings, and we were thinking of cooking out. I’ll get your favorites.”
“Oh, you don’t have to go to a lot of trouble.” This was a losing battle, but it felt better to protest anyway.
“I do, too. You’re my kid, and I want to. Oh, and Papa got a haircut you just have to see. I actually can’t wait.”
“Too short?”
“Way too short. I’m taking lots of photos to commemorate the occasion. Hey, do you want those ice skates in the garage? We’re trying to clean out the space as much as possible.”
She definitely did. Who knew when one needed last-minute ice skates? “Yep. I’ll take them with me when I’m there.”
“Perfect. I love you, Sunshine.”
“Love you back. Give my love to Papa.”
“I’ll tell him.”
She clicked off the call that was like so many others with her dads, upbeat and a little all over the map. The shorthand was everything. It was how they communicated best and she wouldn’t change their relationship for anything. She glanced around her office at the many pieces from Spencer Adair’s new line and felt the excitement bubble all over again. She punched the air a few times, channeling her inner Rocky, shuffling her feet, and dodging imaginary blows like a pro. Yessiree. Things were definitely on the upswing, and Hadley wasn’t about to lose momentum now.
* * *
The line at Jamba Juice was insane, but then it was inching close to lunchtime, which had everyone out and about in the sunny LA weather. Spencer didn’t care about the wait. She’d had a fantastic meeting with Hadley Cooper, and Silhouette, of all places, was interested in her. Whether she thought the store was the best fit or not, this was a lot to take in. Her phone buzzed in her front pocket.
“Hey, Mama.” She smiled into the phone, her excitement from the earlier meeting still spilling over.
“You didn’t call,” her mother said, worry in her voice. “Is the meeting over?”
Spencer smiled. “Yes, ma’am. It went well. The assistant manager thinks I have a good shot at receiving an order.”
“On Rodeo Drive. My baby!” Spencer held the phone away from her ear momentarily and smiled at the customer in front of her. “My mom,” she mouthed. He offered her a halfhearted thumbs-up and turned back around.
Spencer chuckled. “We’re not there yet, but things are looking up. Just the fact that they’re interested in me is flattering. Treating myself to a smoothie.”
“Of course it’s flattering! When I get home, I’m going to bake you a pie. This is a big day.” Her mother worked as a successful real estate broker who’d actually held her own in the housing crisis a few years back and lived to tell the tale. In addition to knowing everything about LA real estate, she also knew everything about making the perfect pie. Spencer felt this was a winning combo and had always looked up to her mother on both counts. Business and baking. To say she and her mother were close was an understatement.
“I don’t know that I have time for pie, Mama. Got a lot of orders to fill once I get back to my apartment.” The move to retail would be a huge one if it happened, but she couldn’t forget her bread and butter, the one that had her packing a lot of boxes for her vast customer base on her online store. As a one-woman shop, she’d done a remarkable job, handling every aspect of the business without having to spend money on extra help. She’d always prided herself on being a go-getter, and maybe this time it was about to pay off.
“I’ll eat it in your honor, then. Gonna go with apple spice!”
“My favorite. You’re the best, Mama, but I gotta go. It’s almost my turn to order.”
“Call me as soon as you hear something and not a minute beyond.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She clicked off the call.
“Welcome to Jamba Juice! What can I get you?”
“I’ll take a cucumber orange cooler with a vitamin D boost, please,” she told the counter guy who had welcomed her about three times since she’d entered the store.
“Coming right up,” he said with gusto, and bounced away to make her drink, like Tigger of Jamba Juice.
She’d say one thing for the place, they had the market cornered on perky. She thought back on her meeting with Hadley Cooper, deciding that she’d probably do great at Jamba Juice herself. Blond hair well past her shoulders, piercing blue eyes, and a bundle of vivacious, welcoming energy. But it wasn’t put on. At least not that Spencer could tell. Hadley came off as kind and genuine, both on their initial phone call and at their one-on-one. She bought Hadley’s excitement surrounding her designs, and that felt kind of…contagious. But she wasn’t one to judge someone so early on. She’d been burned enough in life, especially in the fashion industry, which was pretty much eat or be eaten.
“This drink is ready for you! This drink is ready for you! This drink is ready, dear Spencer A. Your cucumber cooler loves you, too.” She blinked, doing her best to put up with his ridiculous song. She’d never really been into ridiculous, being a more serious-minded individual. She smiled anyway.
“Thanks.”
“Come back again,” he sang, with jazz hands, to the tune of “And many more.” She nodded in his direction and wondered who’d hurt him.
The cooler was a refreshing cap off to the afternoon, but her evening would be spent in the trenches, packing boxes, filling orders, sending confirmations, and making sure her social media ads were running on schedule. Oh! And she needed to post her latest giveaway. Contests always seemed to garner attention, and more attention meant more page views, and more word of mouth, and more orders, and more money. Her work was never done and she loved every second of it.
At midnight, she surveyed her apartment. With several towering stacks of boxes by her door ready for shipment, and fabrics of all colors laid across her couch, dining room table, and floor along with tape measures, scale rulers, scissors, and sketches, the place looked nothing like a residence and more like a workshop populated by elves. Spencer wore it like a badge of honor.
She gave her neck a soothing roll from side to side. Tomorrow there was lots of work to continue, meaning she better steal what sleep she could. She picked up her cat, Minnie Mouse, and gave her a smacking kiss. “That’s because you were a thoughtful and quiet assistant tonight.”
She trudged sleepily to her room, cat in hand. The fashion world waited for no one. As she lay in bed that night, she replayed her meeting with Hadley once, twice, and a third time for good measure. She fell asleep with a hopeful smile on her face, understanding that she had come to a unique place in her life, a crossroads of her own making. Having options was an exciting reward, and the prospect of moving beyond the empire she’d established to something even bigger triggered a shiver. The really, really good kind.