24. Kate
Chapter Twenty-Four
KATE
“Damn, he’s hot,” Beau says, fanning her face after she rushes back the moment Drew leaves my side.
“Scorching,” Garret adds, and the three of us watch him walk away in his jeans and leather jacket.
She keeps her eyes glued to him but grabs my wrist. “He is totally into you. Like in love.”
I scoff. “No, he isn’t.”
“Yes, girl. I can tell. Did you see the way he looked at her?” Beau asks Garret for confirmation.
“Totally! He’s the leather to your leather. And speaking of lace, we have got to celebrate tonight. Everyone is going to be talking about Kate Golden Lingerie.”
“I can’t tonight,” I say. “I have a date.”
“Oooh,” Beau and Garret tease in unison.
Then I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I’m practically engulfed in designer cologne. “Pardon me, Kate.”
The three of us turn to the man dressed in a well-fitted, dark Armani suit complete with cufflinks. It’s the venture capitalist I met with on Monday.
“Mr. Evans,” I say with a bright smile.
“Please, call me Collin. That was really something,” he says, penetrating me with his dark eyes. I hope he’s seeing dollar signs. Twenty million of them.
“I’m glad you think so.” I maintain my friendly smile but take a step back.
“Yes, I’d like to continue the conversation. What do you say my colleague and I meet you for drinks this evening? We can celebrate.”
“Celebrate?” I ask, hopeful this means we’ll be closing this million-dollar deal.
“Yes, you had a fantastic show. And if all goes well, there may be more to celebrate.” Okay, that absolutely means they will make me an offer. Tonight! I freaking love London! “How’s six o’clock? We’ll meet you at the bar in your hotel.”
Of course he would suggest that when I’m finally meeting Drew at seven. Then again, if we meet at the hotel bar, I could easily meet Drew at eight. Who knows? I might be closing two deals tonight. “That sounds great. I’ll meet you there.”
“Brilliant. See you then,” he says and heads off.
I turn back to my friends with a goofy grin. “Did you hear that? Drinks with the VCs? Is this day for real?”
“Of course it is!” Beau says. “And you’re the one who made it happen.”
“You know what this means, right?” Garret says, and we turn to him with curious expressions. “Kate Golden is back!”
I open my arms and bring them both in. We crash into one other in a smooshy group hug. I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s all happening. Finally, my life and my business are turning around. Everything’s going to be okay.
Later that evening after a well-earned nap, a shower, and fresh makeup, I slink back into my stage dress from the show. It’s elegant and sexy and will translate perfectly from drinks with the financiers to dessert with the bad boy photographer. I’ve got two hours to seal this business-saving deal before Drew arrives.
I grab my pearl-studded clutch and head to the bar a few minutes early. Collin Evans is already waiting there with what looks like a scotch. And he’s alone.
“Hi, Collin,” I say, and sit beside him.
“Kate, lovely to see you again.” Collin leans in for a friendly cheek-to-cheek air kiss. Very friendly. Then again, this is Europe.
“Where’s your partner?” I ask.
“Unfortunately, she couldn’t make it. Came down with some kind of stomach flu or something.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. So it’s just the two of us?”
“Yes, is that all right?”
I glance around the bar. Since this may be my best chance at securing the funds, I say, “Of course.”
“Let’s get you a drink,” Collin snaps at the bartender like he owns the place, and I kindly order a martini. The VC leans back in his chair, flashing a cool smile. “I know we’re here on business, but before I invest with anyone, I like to get to know them a little better since we’ll be working very closely together over the next few years. Vetting a business is a little like dating.”
“That makes sense,” I say. He goes on and asks me about myself—where I grew up, what I like to do for fun. I nurse my martini while he tells me about his uni career, his love for rugby, and his collection of sports cars.
“So, let’s talk about the fashion show today,” he says. After almost an hour, finally some business talk. “How do you come up with all those ideas for knickers?”
I can’t help but snicker at the word. “Sorry, it’s just that I’m not used to the word knickers.”
“You’re right. It’s not a very sexy word. But your work is very, very sexy. You must have a titillating imagination.” He says it like we’re on a date-date not a business date. He’s not coming onto me, is he?
“I’m so glad you like the showpieces. I’d be happy to send over a few pieces for your wife.”
“That’s kind of you but I’m currently separated.” He gives a dismissive wave, keeping his eyes fixed on me.
“Oh,” I say. “Sorry to hear.”
“Don’t be. It’s a lot more fun being single. You know what I mean?” He takes a sip from his lowball glass.
“I suppose . . . We were talking about the fashion show. My designs.” I’ve already shared my business plan to expand into fragrances and sleepwear, product details, profit and loss statements, and market analysis. What else is there left to say?
“Right. I quite like them. A lot edgier than your previous work.”
“I got a standing ovation today, so I think the new pieces will be big sellers. With the right capital, of course.” I’m not entirely sure this is true, but with Nina Savoy’s approval, there’s a lot of potential.
Collin nods quietly, then takes a moment to sip his amber-colored liquor. “Here’s the thing: Usually, when a corporation is looking to expand, it’s because it’s growing, not declining. From a business sense, I’m not convinced this is a solid deal for Bonnaire Capital. But I like you, Kate. I like your . . . work. And if you’re open to it, I think we can work something out.” He places his hand on my bare knee and rubs his thumb along the edge.
I freeze. Is he suggesting what I think he’s suggesting? The nerve of this asshole. I can’t believe he’s led me to think that he’s legitimately interested in helping me save my company when all he really wants is to get into my knickers . My face grows hot, and I’m certain there’s steam coming out of my ears.
I furrow my brow, gritting my teeth ‘til it hurts, and shove his hand away. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”
“Relax, Kate. We’re just having a friendly conversation,” he says like the arrogant prick he is.
“No, this conversation is over.” I rise to my feet and grab my clutch, tempted to smack him across the face with it.
“Kate, wait,” he says, and I glare at him. “You’re an honest person, and I want to be honest with you. You won’t get a better offer.” His words are crushing. What if he’s right? What if no other investor sees the value of my business unless they see me naked? And they basically will when the Lux feature comes out.
I hate this. And right now, I really hate him .
“You’re right. I am honest. And honestly, you’re an asshole.” I grab my dirty martini and toss it in his face. Gin drips from his brow, off his jaw, and onto his expensive suit. Gasps and gaping mouths fill the space around us.
He hardly moves, just quietly wipes his face with a napkin. “That was a mistake, Kate.”
“My only mistake was trusting a guy like you with my business!” I wish I had another martini to throw at him, but I don’t, so I walk off, stomping my heels along the way. The elevator seems to take an eternity to carry me back up to my floor.
I toss my clutch across the room and lock myself inside. Tears flood my eyes, spilling onto my cheeks as I sob. I feel so stupid because he’s right. Why would anyone want to invest in a declining company? Maybe this is it. Despite all my efforts, maybe Kate Golden Lingerie is over. Maybe I need to face reality and let it go.