The Liar, The Bitch and the Wardrobe by Allie Kingsley

Author:Allie Kingsley [Kingsley, Allie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

chapter seventeen

Oh My Gaultier!

After an exhilarating mini Vegas vaycay with Bella, followed by an exasperating weekend with my parents, culminating in being hunted down in a freeway car chase, I was very much looking forward to resuming work at the studio. I walked with a renewed spring in my step. I, Lucy Butler, felt a sense of confidence that I had never experienced before. I wasn’t sure if it was the new wardrobe or the experiences I’d had, but I felt like a new girl. I mentally recited Bella’s words of advice from our return flight. I had to stop being a part of the background and demand recognition. In addition to my hard work, I would dress and act the part of someone worthy of a real job in the studio. I had to act like I was part of the artsy family that I saw in American Photo. My own reflection in front of the studio’s blacked-out window stopped me in my tracks. The frazzled art student geek had definitely died, and this new and improved version had been born. My curly hair was pinned up into a messy yet chic chignon that emphasized the asymmetric neckline on my Roland Mouret black sheath dress. “It’s a cardinal sin to throw coffee on couture,” Bella jokingly assured me when she insisted on buying me several “power dresses” for work. I smoothed out the structured fabric tugging at my hips and pointed my toe to admire the new Tory Burch ballet flats as well. I beamed and bounced into the studio.

“Oh my Gaultier! Is that a Vuitton? Good lord, child, let me touch.” Roman held his arms out as if for an infant, slid the signature tote over his arm and sashayed to a mirror. The classic purse contrasted sharply with Roman’s matched red and baby blue checkered shorts and cropped jacket. Striking several poses, he examined himself from behind while making kissy faces.

Liz spun me around. “You look beautiful, darl! How was your time off? By the looks of it, I suspect things went well!”

“It was fantastic! How was your weekend?” I couldn’t help but gloat just a little bit. I was emitting joy.

“Girl, you are glowing! Are you . . . ya know . . . baking a pain au lait in that oven?” Liz squinted her eyes and leaned into me. An intoxicating mix of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds and vodka overwhelmed my senses.

“A who?” I leaned back, holding my breath.

“Roman! Look at this!” Liz cupped my face in her hands and spun me around.

Roman folded his arms, popping out a hip. “Tell me you didn’t sign up for nine months of sobriety!” The two circled around me like juvenile hawks, poking at my belly, not allowing me to get a word in. Stefano stormed by.

“She’s not knocked up, you dimwits . . . She was in Vegas with Bella Blackstone.” I wanted to add that I had been with my parents, too—but that would have sounded less cool.

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