25. Adair
Adair
Today’s the day. The video call with Rose could mean everything for my product line if I can close a deal with her. I’ve gone over this meeting a hundred times in my head, but there’s always the nagging thought: What if I blow it?
I make my way to the private office in the back, where my laptop is set up on my desk. I’ve angled the camera right, ensuring the lighting makes Citrine look as pristine and inviting as possible.
The display of my products sits behind me, carefully arranged. This isn’t a meeting. It’s my audition to prove that my brand is worth the attention of a massive audience.
As the time for the call approaches, I smooth my dress, take a deep breath. I click to join the video meeting on the link Rose sent me yesterday. Within seconds, her face fills the screen.
She’s as stunning as I remember from her social media profile. Her flawless skin, bright eyes, and effortless charisma are what keep people hanging on her every word .
“Adair! Hi!” she chirps, waving at the camera. “It’s so great to finally meet you. Well, virtually, at least. Hopefully we can do it in person soon.”
“Yes, I would love that. It's nice to finally get to speak with you as well. Thank you so much for making time for this,” I say, smiling warmly. “I know your schedule must be insane.”
She waves off the comment with a laugh. “Oh, please. For Parker’s friend, I had to make time. He’s been so great to me, and I’m excited about what you’re doing with your products. Plus, I love supporting women-owned businesses.”
Friend. I’m his friend.
Stop. I can’t spiral now.
I smile and keep moving forward. “Of course he has. The man juggles surgeries and blood drives like it’s nothing. Someone should nominate this guy for Citizen of the Year.”
Rose laughs, and I follow with a quick pivot. “I sent over some samples. I hope you received them?”
“I did!” Rose leans out of frame for a moment and returns with a sleek package that I’d meticulously packed and shipped to her. She holds it up to the camera. “The presentation alone is beautiful. I could tell how much thought went into this.”
She’s so easy to like. I can see why he dated her. As much as I’d like to, I can’t hate her.
“Thank you,” I say, beaming. “I’m proud of these products. Everything is ethically sourced, cruelty-free, and designed to promote self-care without compromising the environment.”
Rose opens the package on screen, her movements are deliberate as she examines each product. “Okay, so this lavender body scrub? Smells divine. And the rosehip oil serum, yum! I already tried it last night before bed. Love how lightweight it feels. Seriously, Adair, you’re onto something here.”
Her praise feels like a wave of relief. “I’m so glad you like them. My goal has always been to create products that people can feel good about using, inside and out.”
Rose sets the products down and leans closer to the camera, her eyes sparkling. “And the fact that you’re running all of this while managing a wellness café? Total boss move. Parker told me how passionate you are about your business.”
There he is again. Parker. My pulse quickens.
“He’s been so great,” I admit carefully, not wanting to say too much. We are clearly in the friend zone, according to her. And this is about business, not about labeling whatever Parker and I are.
Rose grins knowingly. “He’s a great guy. A little flighty sometimes, but he’s truly got such a good heart. My fiancé, Alex, thinks he’s hilarious, too. They met at some fundraiser ages ago, before Alex and I started dating.”
Her casual mention of her fiancé sets me at ease. Rose has moved on, and it’s obvious she has no lingering feelings for Parker. I still can’t shake that maybe it’s Parker that’s still hung up on her.
I wouldn’t blame him.
We talk about my life in LA for a bit, trading stories about times she’s traveled there for work. She gushes about the weather and the energy of the place, but I find myself admitting something I hadn’t realized until now.
“I don’t miss it as much as I thought I would,” I confess. “Palm Beach has this way of growing on you. The slower pace, the sense of community—it’s hard to find that in LA. Did Parker say you're in DC?”
Rose nods thoughtfully. “I get that. There’s something special about living somewhere that feels real, you know? LA’s fun, but it can be intense. Yes, I live in DC, and it's the perfect blend for me in this business. I get the big city and the small town vibe at the same time.”
“Exactly,” I say, feeling a surprising sense of camaraderie with her.
As we pivot back to the business, Rose becomes all professionalism, her influencer persona slipping into place. We go through each product, and I walk her through the key features and benefits.
“This coffee bean exfoliant,” she says, holding up the jar, “is genius. People are obsessed with coffee scrubs right now, and the fact that yours uses sustainable ingredients is going to be a huge selling point. Plus, I can't get enough of the smell.”
“Do you think it would resonate with your audience?” I ask, trying to keep my nerves in check.
“Are you kidding?” she says, laughing. “Adair, my followers eat this stuff up. They love products that are high-quality but also have a story behind them. You and your wellness café, your brand, your journey, it’s all so authentic. That’s what people connect with in this space.”
Her words bolster my confidence. We spend the next twenty minutes discussing a potential collaboration, from how she’ll integrate the products into her content to the best way to highlight their unique qualities.
I mention the script ideas I’ve drafted, but Rose waves her hand dismissively.
“Send them over, for sure,” she says, “but I’ll tailor them to fit my style. Trust me, I know how to make these things shine.”
“I trust you,” I say sincerely. “Thank you for believing in this.”
She flashes me a wide smile. “Thank Parker. He’s the one who had the idea for me to take a look. I’m so glad he did, because this is fire.”
By the time we wrap up the call, I’m practically buzzing with excitement. We’ve finalized the deal: Rose will post a series of social media videos featuring my products, along with a detailed review on her YouTube channel.
What's more, she won't let me pay her a penny. This kind of exposure would cost me tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. It’s exactly what my brand needs, and I can already picture the orders rolling in.
After we say goodbye and the screen goes dark, I lean back in my chair and let out a long breath. It’s like a weight has been lifted. For the first time in weeks, things are starting to turn around.
I pull up my email and quickly type out a message to Rose, attaching the scripts I’d written. Even though she’ll likely adapt them, I want to give her a starting point so it's less work for her.
Rose,
Thank you so much for your time today. I’ve attached the draft scripts we discussed, but please feel free to tweak them as needed. I trust your expertise completely, and I'm fine with whatever you come up with. Looking forward to seeing what magic you create!
Warm regards,
Adair
As I hit send, I glance over at the display of products on my desk. This is it. This is the break I’ve been chasing since the day I opened Citrine.
I close my laptop and let out a slow breath. There’s still so much work ahead—but for the first time in weeks, it feels like I’m not doing it alone.
Parker didn’t have to set this up. He didn’t have to go out of his way to connect me with Rose, or step back and let the spotlight fall on me. But he did. Just like he said he would.
He’s always followed through. Every promise, every late-night talk, every quiet moment where he gave me space instead of pressure. The trust we’ve built—quietly, steadily—it’s no small thing.
I lean back in my chair, the citrus scent of the room wrapping around me like a promise. Maybe it’s not all fake after all.
The sun is sinking low over the horizon, painting the beach in golden hues as Parker and I sit on a blanket in the sand. A breeze carries the salty tang of the ocean, and the waves lap rhythmically against the shore.
Between us is a chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses, the bubbles sparkling in the last light of the day.
“To Citrine,” Parker says, lifting his glass with a crooked smile. “And to you for pulling off what’s bound to be the start of a major success.”
“To us,” I counter, clinking my glass lightly against his. “I wouldn’t have gotten here without you.”
He shakes his head, his expression softening. “You were always going to get here, Adair. I happened to know the person you needed to meet to accelerate it.”
I swirl the champagne in my glass, watching the tiny bubbles rise and burst. The wind lifts a strand of my hair, and I tuck it behind my ear before speaking.
“So,” I say, light and offhand. “Rose referred to me as your friend today.”
His brow lifts slightly, caught off guard. “Uh-huh. I mean, yeah. Why? ”
I glance out at the water, not answering right away. The waves shimmer gold in the fading light, but there’s a quiet tug in my chest I didn’t expect.
“No reason,” I say. “It stood out, I guess. We’ve been telling everyone else we’re married, and I was curious why you didn’t tell her the same story.”
He leans back on one hand, his gaze on me now instead of the ocean.
“To be completely transparent, at the time, it was easier. I knew if I told her I was married, that would hijack the entire conversation, and she would want to know all about you. I had no problem telling her about you, but I wanted the conversation focused on how she could help you.”
I huff a small laugh, but it doesn’t quite reach my chest. What he's saying makes sense, but it still stings a little. “I can understand that.”