25. Chelsi
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
chelsi
When I walk into the crowded bistro, I glance across the room until I spot Addison.
She sees me immediately and gestures for me to join her.
Relief washes through me because there’s nothing I hate more than being the first person to a restaurant.
Or basically anywhere. I prefer to be fashionably on time or late—usually the latter.
“Thanks so much for joining me.” Addison stands and embraces me. “I have so much I want to chat with you about.”
“Please tell me you want to gossip about what everyone wore the other night. I have so many opinions and no one to talk to about them,” I reply, taking a seat next to her at the table.
Addison laughs softly. “We’ll need lots of wine for that conversation and a much more private location. Perhaps a girls’ night soon?”
God, that sounds amazing. I didn’t realize how much I missed having a core group of friends to hang out with until moving to Nashville.
“I’d love that.” I take the white cloth napkin off the table, placing it gently on my lap. “So, if you don’t want to chat about my nominees for the worst-dressed list, what’s on your mind?”
“Oh…I definitely want to start with some gossip. It’s just not fashion-related.
” Addison arches her eyebrows and leans in closer, resting her elbows on the table.
“Where did you disappear to at the afterparty? One minute you were by my side, the next I saw you talking to Alex. Then, poof, you were gone. Spill it.”
I blush, glancing away briefly. “There’s not much to tell. I was starving, so he took me for burgers. Then he brought me home. End of story.”
My mind races back to how he held my hand when we walked out of the party.
How he gave me piggyback rides so I wouldn’t have to walk on my blistered feet.
The intense gaze he leveled at me all night, like he wanted to eat me alive.
How he dropped me off at Kate and Jake’s house without even trying to kiss me.
A long-lasting hug was all I got before he drove away.
Well, I can’t forget the three orgasms I gave myself once I was nestled in my warm bed, thinking about him. Wishing it were his cock inside me instead of a dildo.
“Earth to Chelsi,” Addison says, snapping her fingers in front of my face.
“Huh?”
“I knew it. You like him!”
“I don’t… I mean…it’s complicated,” I reply, dropping my head into my hands. “I don’t know how I feel about him or whether he has any feelings for me. We spent all this time together, and he didn’t make a single move.”
“Hmm…that’s not super surprising if you think about it.
As far as I know, Alex doesn’t date or mess around with anyone.
He’s focused on work.” Addison taps her index finger against her bright red bottom lip.
“He’s one of the few good ones left, so my guess is he’s going to take it slow.
Figure out if there might be something between you before initiating anything physical. ”
I groan, keeping my head in my hands. “Or he has absolutely no feelings for me whatsoever, and I’ve built up this magical connection in my mind.”
“Shit. You really like him,” Addison whispers, glancing around the restaurant like she’s trying to ensure there’s no one we know around.
After raising my head, I nod. “I do, and it scares me.”
“Have you told Kate?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Don’t plan on it until there’s something to tell. She’s in happily-ever-after land, where she tries to marry everyone off.”
Addison chuckles. “Love will do that to you.” She pauses for a moment before continuing, “I’m not an expert on Alex by any means, but he didn’t take his eyes off you at the party. His eyes darkened every time you spoke to another man. It was incredibly hot to watch.”
A smile grows across my face, all my worry starting to diminish. “He did?”
She nods, grinning widely. “Yep. He looked pretty smitten.”
That would make two of us. The more time I spend with him, the more hopeful my heart becomes.
“Enough about my love life. What else did you want to chat about?” I ask, taking a sip of water, wondering when a waiter will take our drinks order.
“I’m so glad you asked. I need you to hear me out before you tell me no or give me some excuse why this isn’t going to work,” Addison says calmly with an intense gaze.
“I make no promises.”
Addison chuckles and shakes her head. “Figured you might say something like that. Here’s my pitch: Come work for me.”
“I don’t think—”
She holds up her hand. “Let me finish.”
I nod, curious where this is going and how she thinks she’ll be able to get me to change my mind.
It’s not like I haven’t dreamed about working in fashion with someone like Addison.
But I want to earn it because of who I am, not who I’m friends with.
It would be too messy to take a job offer from her or Anna, given their relationship with Jake and our budding friendships.
Addison lets out a deep breath. “Here’s what I propose: You intern for six months at my firm.
I’ll pair you with my partner, Stasha, whom you’ve never met.
She’ll evaluate your work. If she sees what I already have in you, we’ll make you a full-time offer.
Frankly, I’d offer you a permanent job now, but I know you won’t take it.
I’m hoping this approach allows you to do whatever you feel is necessary to earn the role you so rightfully deserve. ”
Tears brim in the corner of my eyes unexpectedly.
What she’s proposing is almost too good to be true.
It’s a chance to chase my passion. To make money by helping people find clothes that make them feel like the best version of themselves.
Plus, there’s all the glamour of the red carpet events I’d get to help work on.
“I don’t know what to say…”
Addison smiles softly at me, reaching across the table, taking my hand in hers. “Say yes. Take the leap to do something I know in my heart you were born to do.”
The responsible adult in me should ask a million more questions. Find out about the salary, assuming interns even get paid. Determine what my work schedule would look like. When she’d want me to start. What I’d be tasked with doing.
But the spontaneous part of me—the piece of my soul that’s felt broken since I lost my job—comes roaring back to life. Begging me to take this risk.
“Yes,” I reply confidently, squeezing Addison’s hand. “I’d love to intern for you.”
Addison squeals and leans over to wrap me in a big hug. “This is going to be incredible. I can’t wait for you to meet Stasha. She’s going to love you.”
Excitement floods my veins as Addison chats about what I should expect for the first few weeks of my internship, the various people who work at her boutique firm, and the clients I’ll be working with. It’s a whirlwind of information, and I regret not having a notebook to jot it all down.
I don’t want to mess up this opportunity. It’s my one chance to prove to myself I can have a career in the fashion. To prove to Addison that she was right about me.
Looks like I’m staying in Nashville for the foreseeable future. Perhaps permanently.
Maybe this means there’s a chance for something to blossom between Alex and me. If I’m already taking a leap of faith in my career, why not go all in and make one in my love life too?
Look out, Alex, because I’m about to pursue the fuck out of you.