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“Don’t get used to it,” Victoria jokes. “Although I’ll admit, it’s a pleasure to work with someone who doesn’t need me to explain three times why hierarchy matters.”
Harper smiles genuinely. It’s a mistake—she knows it. Because when Victoria smiles back, the office stops feeling like an office and once again becomes a sanctuary that reminds her of other layouts, cold pizza at three in the morning, and gigantic dreams.
A bond floats between them, as solid and palpable as the wooden table separating them. And Harper fears that the ease with which their minds connect will bring her many more problems. Because beneath the five years of resentment, the divorce, the distance, and the competition for the position, Victoria is still the best teammate she’s ever had.
“This is going to go really well,” Harper says with a smile.
Chapter 7
The problem hits the Velvet & Silk newsroom far too early. Victoria Vance reads the message twice, and her heart skips a beat.
“This has to be a really bad joke,” she says aloud, causing Harper to look up. “How could they even think of canceling the exclusive forty-eight hours before the shoot?”
“What did you say?” Harper asks, quickly dialing a number. “Give me a moment.”
Harper is already standing on the other side of the table. She has the phone pressed to her ear, her jaw tense, and her fingers clenched around it. Victoria watches her and can’t help but smile. “I love it when she gets angry.” Damn, she looks absolutely gorgeous.
“Well, no, it’s no joke,” Harper replies, hanging up the phone. “Julian just confirmed it. Maison Beaumont has just withdrawn its authorization for us to have exclusive use of the two dresses for the cover.”
“And may I ask what the reason is?” Victoria demands, resting her palms on the table.
“Well, another magazine offered to feature one of the designs on a digital cover before our print issue comes out. They’ve smelled money and immediacy, and they’re throwing our deal right out the window.”
Victoria throws her hands up in despair. The dress isn’t just any accessory; after so many fittings, it’s going to be the centerpiece of Velvet & Silk’s fall issue. The actress they’ve secured for the cover only has a window of a few days before flying off to a shoot in London, the Los Angeles studio costs a fortune, and Julian already has half the production team set up on the West Coast. They can’t afford to cancel it.
Victoria massages her temple.
“According to Julian, if we don’t close the deal soon, the dress will go to the competition,” Harper adds. She crosses her arms and looks at her. “And we already know what the consequences will be.”
No. Not a chance.
“Over my dead body,” Victoria declares, fixing her gaze on her ex-wife’s eyes. “After all the hard work we’ve put in over the last few days, I’m not going to throw the concept away.”
Harper gives her a smile, but in her eyes burns the exact same fighting spirit that made Victoria fall in love with her years ago.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
At that moment, the office door swings wide open. Eleanor walks in without knocking, a cup of tea in her hand.
“Perfect,” Eleanor says, looking at them over her horn-rimmed glasses. “I see you’re already up to speed. That way, I won’t have to waste time convincing you.”
A chill runs down Victoria’s spine.
“Convince us of what, Eleanor?”
Eleanor walks over to the table and places two envelopes bearing the airline’s logo on top of the paperwork. Harper looks at them first.
“The flight leaves in two hours and forty minutes. Beaumont isn’t just nitpicking about the dates—he’s questioning the creative concept. I need both of you to work this out. And I want you to keep me updated in real time.” Eleanor takes a sip of her tea. “Have a safe flight.”
The door closes behind her as she leaves the office, and Harper runs a hand over her face before letting out a frustrated snort.
“I hate her. I really do hate her.”
Victoria grabs her briefcase and puts on her jacket.
“Get in line.”
*
