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“I see you’re very confident in your proposal. Much more so than you were at the start of this meeting.”
“We have every reason to be because we don’t sell smoke,” Harper retorts instantly. “And we have a concept that will not only showcase this garment but also catapult your collection and brand. The model we’ve chosen, the makeup, and the art direction are all aligned to work with your dresses.”
Victoria points to the test shot on the table. The model appears silhouetted against the light, with the design prototype hugging her curves in an almost fluid drape. There’s punch to the shot. A true statement of intent.
“Plus,” Harper adds, pulling her last ace out of her sleeve, “we’ll give you access to an exclusive documentary clip that will accompany an online article forty-eight hours after the magazine’s launch. A three-minute piece, filmed during the making-of, with incredible visibility for promoting the new collection.”
Camille does the math in her head for five eternal seconds.
“All right, but I want to review the footage before it’s released.”
Harper makes eye contact with Victoria and gives her a slight nod. Victoria gets the implicit message.
“We can include it in the draft right now,” Harper adds. “Anything that adds value will make our work better.”
And so comes the critical moment when a negotiation ceases to be a battle of egos and becomes a handshake. Camille stares at the closed folder for a couple of heartbeats before tapping it lightly with her hand.
“All right,” the executive declares. “But I don’t want a single photo of the dress circulating on Instagram, TikTok, or online media before the launch.”
“Done,” Harper agrees without hesitation.
Victoria lets out a broad smile, feeling the tension drain from her body instantly.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you, Camille. It’s been mutually beneficial and respectful of everyone’s work.”
Camille returns her smile.
“It’s a deal, ladies. My legal team will draft the new clauses this very afternoon. And you’d better make sure the final result is as dazzling as the pitch you’ve given me.”
Harper lets out a long sigh. Victoria hadn’t realized her ex-wife had been holding her breath until that very moment.
“We’ll rise to the occasion, I promise,” Victoria assures her, standing up. “We’ll send you the signed draft as soon as we get back to the hotel.”
Camille stands up and extends her hand—first to Harper, then to Victoria.
“I confess I was expecting a much more unpleasant face-off. Velvet & Silk’s reputation is all about cutthroat negotiations. But the two of you… wow. You make a formidable professional duo. You work way too well together.”
“If you’re craving some drama, we can argue a little longer over the footnote,” Harper jokes, winking at her.
Camille bursts out laughing, and Victoria joins her, feeling a spark of silly pride as she watches Harper take control of the situation.
As the attendees gather their folders, Camille glances at her phone screen.
“We’re hosting a private reception in the hills tonight,” the executive says, tucking her phone into her purse. “A small group: designers, a few big-name investors, and a couple of our brand ambassadors. You should come. It’ll be the perfect setting to toast the deal and let people see us together.”
Harper glances at her watch out of the corner of her eye and seeks Victoria’s gaze.
“We have a flight back to New York first thing in the morning.”
“All the more reason,” Camille insists, undeterred. “You can’t leave here without celebrating.”
The two women look at each other and, at the same time, break into a smile.
“All right, we’ll be there.”
*
When Victoria steps out of the suite’s bedroom, adjusting an earring in front of the living room mirror, she freezes. Harper is standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, finishing fastening her bracelet. She’s wearing a black satin dress that cascades flawlessly down to her ankles, with an asymmetrical neckline that reveals the bold curve of her left shoulder.
