Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
brITTANY
S ince Brittany had gotten back to her hotel room pretty early and was too tired and freaked out by the roses to do any exploring on her own, she settled into her corner of the hotel room to work on her new designs. A few quick sketches later, she had sent them off to her mom for her thoughts and notes and then began to get ready for her dinner with Min and Hayden that night at Hayden’s brother’s restaurant.
While she was washing her face, Kyle came back into the room and cornered her in the bathroom.
“So that guy this morning. He your boyfriend?”
Brittany didn’t hesitate. “None of your fucking business, Kyle.”
“It’s my business if some rando is going to be hanging out in our room, threatening me.”
She sighed. Kyle was a prick, but he had a point. However, they weren’t close enough for Brittany to feel comfortable explaining why she needed security.
“He’s overprotective is all. I’ll ask him to chill when we’re here.”
“So he is your boyfriend?”
“Again, not your fucking business.”
He leaned over her then, putting his hands on either side of her at the sink and leaning in to smell her hair in a way that instantly made Brittany’s skin crawl.
“If you need someone to treat you right, baby, I’m here and willing.”
Not hesitating, she elbowed him, hard, in his gut. He doubled over, moving away from her to try to catch his breath. She immediately shoved him out of the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
“Brittany, what the fuck was that about?” He was yelling through the door, but his breath was still wheezing, which made sense. Brittany had hit him pretty hard.
“You’ve lost bathroom privileges.”
“Is this how you react when a guy hits on you?”
“Only the sleazy ones.”
She could hear him grumbling at that and tried to focus on her makeup. Kyle was an ass, but he was mostly harmless. He just didn’t know how to take a hint unless it literally slammed into him.
An hour later, Brittany stepped out of the bathroom, relieved to find that Kyle had already headed out to his evening plans, most likely involving impressionable women with lower standards than they deserved.
She headed out to the lobby. Brittany hadn’t mentioned this dinner to Gus, mostly because she wanted a night with her best friend where they could talk freely without worrying about him overhearing whatever tea she felt like privately spilling about his brother. She rationalized to herself that she would use a rideshare both ways, not talk to strangers, and not be alone if she wasn’t in the car.
As she climbed into her rideshare, Brittany’s phone rang, showing it was Kathleen. Thinking that she was just calling to confirm she received the designs, Brittany answered… which turned out to be a big mistake.
“Brittany, what is this?”
“What is what, Mom?”
“These sketches you sent me. These aren’t serious, right?”
Brittany steeled herself for the rest of the phone call, biting back a sigh. Kathleen was in a mood and was apparently going to take it out on Brittany like she always did.
“They are serious, Mom. You said you weren’t happy with the last round, so I attempted something new.”
“And you think these are high-end?”
Of course she did, but she sure wasn’t going to admit that now.
“I guess I’m not certain what your definition of ‘high-end’ is,” she said carefully.
“Lux fabrics. Fresh perspective for the person with money ready-to-wear art.”
“Mom, that’s not really my brand. I show people how to repurpose clothes they already have, or gently used clothes they can buy second-hand. My audience isn’t the one percent, it’s the everyday.”
“That may be true now, but this partnership is a chance to elevate your brand. This is the time, Brittany. You have to take this seriously.”
Brittany knew, deep in her heart, that everything her mother was saying was coming from love and support. But it sounded really shitty. Kathleen had a way of cutting you to the core with words that felt like afterthoughts to her.
Her rideshare pulled up outside the restaurant, and Brittany exited, hovering near the entrance. She didn’t want to be out in the open in the street, but she also didn’t want to be having this terrible conversation in a restaurant where anyone could overhear.
“And we also need to talk about your attire for that convention, Brittany,” she continued. “What were you thinking? Shorts and a T-shirt? You’re an influencer. How are you supposed to influence in clothes like that?”
“I’m at a fan convention, Mom,” Brittany said, sure her exhaustion was showing through her voice. “My followers know I go to Kickoff every year. They like seeing the casual, nerdy version of me. The people at the meet-and-greet loved it.”
Brittany didn’t add that she preferred this casual, nerdy version of herself. Brittany was a woman of contrasts, who was either completely made up or completely dressed down. Kathleen didn’t like hearing things like that, not when she worked so hard finding Brittany designer brand deals. As far as Kathleen was concerned, Brittany should be in cocktail attire at all times.
“Your fans are paying for pictures with BrittKneeSocks. Dress your brand, or else they’re going to be disappointed and you’ll start to lose followers. Understand?” Kathleen’s voice had taken on an edge, which meant that she was ramping up for round two of the lecture. But Brittany didn’t have time for it.
“Yes, Mom, I have tomorrow’s outfit picked out, and it will be so on brand no one will complain and post bad things, okay?”
“You don’t have to say it with that kind of tone.”
Sometimes Brittany daydreamed about doing literally anything else for her job, something that her mother wouldn’t want to be involved in. A schoolteacher. A lawyer. Some sort of accountant. But Brittany also knew she had wanted to design clothes since she was little, and for whatever fateful reasons this was the path that was getting her there. With Champagne.
With her mother.
“Mom, I gotta go, I’m running late for dinner.”
“Who are you having dinner with?”
Brittany tried not to get frustrated at her mother, but she knew she was going to fail if the call wasn’t over soon. Her patience, already at a low thanks to the day and dealing with her stalker sending her flowers, and then whatever the hell that was in the elevator with Gus, was about to break.
“Min and Hayden.”
The silence on the other end of the line said a lot, as well as the deep sigh Kathleen heaved into the phone.
“Very well. Tomorrow, make sure to post more pictures with your socks. Your viewers are asking for it.”
“I will, Mom. Gotta go, love you.” Brittany hung up before her mom could ask her another question, and took a deep breath, trying to cleanse Kathleen from her energy. As she breathed, she reminded herself that she loved her mother very much, even when she was being difficult.
“Hey, sorry we’re late!” Brittany spun around to find Min and Hayden walking toward her, looking just flushed and out of breath enough for Brittany to suspect they hadn’t been power walking. Once they were near, Brittany pulled Min in for a hug, taking a big inhale.
“You smell like sex,” she teased.
“Why are you smelling me, weirdo?”
“Because it’s been so long I have to live through you.”
Min pushed her away, and, laughing, Brittany turned and waved at Hayden.
“How did your meet-and-greet go?” he asked, casually pulling Min toward him as a few people walked near them on the sidewalk.
Not wanting to ruin the mood, Brittany deflected.
“As expected.”
Min’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything they entered and Hayden approached the hostess. She immediately led them to a table in the far back, away from the crowds.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Hayden.” The hostess was practically whispering, which was new.
“Why? What’s going on?”
“He’s fighting with Rosa again. It’s been… tense.”
Hayden nodded with a deep sigh, leaning toward Min. “I’m going to go check on him. Be right back.”
He kissed her quickly and left, walking to the kitchen. Brittany threw Min a skeptical look.
“What’s that about?”
Min rolled her eyes. “Theo is going to be opening his second restaurant soon and has been trying to hire a new executive chef for this place. But he keeps firing people for stupid reasons, and Hayden’s about ready to strangle him.”
“Rosa’s a new chef?”
Min nodded. “Yep. She’s been doing really well, and her food is amazing, Brittany, just as good as Theo’s, although don’t tell him that. But they fight. Constantly.”
“About what?”
“Whatever it is chefs fight about. Something about blanching. The best pans. Cook times versus temperature. Japanese knives versus German. From what Hayden’s told me, all chefs are insane, and in order to work together you need to find a mutual insanity.”
“And their insanity doesn’t match?”
“Not even a little bit.”
Just then, there was a crashing noise that came from the kitchen that made the whole restaurant jump. Her eyes wide, she met Min’s eyes. At the same time, they both burst into laughter.
Min said. “Last night Theo sent Hayden a dozen pictures of the walk-in freezer, all annotated to show exactly what Rosa had moved. Theo thinks it’s a conspiracy.”
“Like, she’s using the walk-in to send a code to others?”
“Probably.”
Just then the server came over, giving Min a relieved smile.
“Min, thank god.”
“I heard, I’m sorry. Hayden’s trying to talk him down now.”
With a nod, the server took their drink order and left to the bar just as Hayden dropped into the seat next to her, looking annoyed and amused all at once.
“Everything okay?” Brittany asked.
Hayden nodded, taking a deep drink of his whiskey.
“Theo’s insane, but calmer. I managed to convince Rosa not to quit, but they’ve split the kitchen down the middle in an attempt to finish the night while not talking to each other.”
Brittany blinked. “Being a chef is a lot more intense than I thought.”
Hayden grimaced. “Huge egos mixed with sharp knives and actual fire. It’s a wonder he hasn’t gone to jail yet.”
They settled into their dinner, with Hayden and Min going over the last-minute details for Hayden’s release party the following night. Brittany was feeling happy and mellow, the wine doing its work as well as watching her best friend be so clearly in love with her guy.
It was during an after-dinner coffee that Brittany’s phone beeped with a text message. Thinking it was her mother, she checked her screen… and felt her blood run cold.
BLOCKED: Don’t think you can ignore me, my love. I’m closer than you think.
“Britt, you okay?”
Numbly, Brittany glanced up at Min, who was looking at her with concern. Not wanting to dive into the explanation of the crazy day, not when Min was so clearly having a lovely evening, Brittany deflected.
“Yeah. Just a text message.”
“Is it Gus?”
“No, it’s… wait, why would you think it’s Gus?”
Min gave her a look that reminded Brittany they had been friends for a long time. “Well, you’re spending a lot of time together. You and him always seemed to… get along really well.”
“I get along with everyone.”
Hayden snorted at that, and Brittany glared at him.
“I don’t need commentary from the guy who almost ditched my friend over a stupid photo.”
He immediately sobered up. “Fair enough.”
Min rolled her eyes but wasn’t ready to let go of the subject. “It’s just that you and Gus always seemed to click. And now he’s acting like a bodyguard, and I was just wondering if you two were getting, you know… friendly.”
“We were always friends, Min.”
Min nodded, sitting back. “Yup, of course. You’ll talk when you’re ready, got it.”
Brittany narrowed her eyes, knowing her friend was placating her. It was extremely annoying when people knew you this well.
“Shut up, I have to send a text.”
Min laughed and turned to Hayden while Brittany took a screenshot of the text and sent it to Gus. She paused when she opened Gus’s contact, seeing the last text he sent her, months ago, right before she and Robbie had broken up, something about the store having the drinks she liked in stock, and should he grab her some?
That was Gus for you. Taking care of people.
Shaking off her thoughts, she sent Gus the screenshot.
Brittany: Just got this.
It took less than a moment for him to write back.
Gus: Where are you?
Brittany: Dinner with Min and Hayden.
Gus: Stay there, I’ll come get you.
She was shaking her head even as she typed.
Brittany: NO! That’s not why I’m telling you. I just thought you should know the asshole has my phone number now.
There was a moment of no response, and then the three dots appeared.
Gus: Have Hayden and Min ride back with you to the hotel. NO EXCUSES. I’ll see what I can do about the text.
Brittany already knew there was nothing to do. The message came from a blocked number, and she had been through this multiple times with the police.
It was late by the time they wrapped up the dinner. They left the restaurant, with Hayden stopping to say goodnight to Theo and threatening him not to piss off the new chef. Min and Hayden were more than willing to grab a rideshare together, and soon they were all tucked into a warm SUV. Min yawned.
“Are you sure you’re okay in that room with all those people?”
Brittany laughed. “It’s the life, Min. I’ll be fine. It’s only for the weekend.”
The SUV pulled up to Brittany’s hotel, and so with many hugs, Brittany left them to walk into the lobby. Once inside, she turned around to watch their car drive off, noting that Hayden moved to sit next to Min and pull her close.
Something twinged in Brittany’s chest at that. She wanted a partner to pull close, who would go with her to follow her friend to make sure she was safe. Someone who was crazy about her.
After a moment, she shook off her melancholy and headed to her room. She wasn’t one to sit around and wish for a man, she was a woman who made her own dreams come true. And she apparently had some designs to work on tonight.