Chapter Fifteen
DAYS LATER, MIA was sipping flamingo-pink sparkling rosé from a skinny flute on the patio of Lucien, a popular bar in SoHo, when Cierra spotted her from across the street and waved; they were meeting up before heading to a movie with some other mutual friends.
A sea of fashionable young New Yorkers littered the bar’s patio, which was packed for happy hour.
The two friends exchanged a hug, and a radiant smile of pride bloomed across Mia’s face.
Before heading to Mexico City, Mia put together a video strategy — a three-part series documenting the trip — that had recently propelled Cierra’s social media presence to new heights.
“Congratulations, hun,” Mia said.
“Are you kidding me? It was literally all you.”
Cierra sat down and looked sincerely at Mia. “Seriously, you’ve been amazing. I don’t even know how to thank you for all the help you’ve given me.”
The first video hooked interest with images of her first-class travel, the second part showed off her recipes and meals, and the third showcased the event and walked viewers through the prep, like parasocial sous chefs.
Despite her initial skepticism, Cierra trusted Mia’s instincts, and it had paid off.
The video had shot Cierra’s following well above the 10k mark, and several potential new clients had reached out, inquiring about events; even a few brands had contacted her about potential collaborations.
This was only a positive ahead of submitting her Plated application — followings were a huge component in who got selected.
“So . . . how do you feel?” Mia asked, looking like her excitement might burst out of her petite ears. “Can you believe it?!”
“It’s amazing.” Cierra smiled incredulously, still in disbelief at how her account was taking off.
“But really, Mia.” Cierra placed her hand on her friend’s arm.
“I feel like I haven’t done enough to thank you for all the work you’ve put in.
This wouldn’t even be happening if it weren’t for you.
” Mia self-consciously grinned at Cierra’s words; this kind of praise was unfamiliar to her. “You’ve really got an eye for this.”
Mia’s sapphire eyes blinked, her gaze shying away from Cierra’s. “Wow, Cee. Um . . .”
Cierra knew by Mia’s lack of words that her own had landed how she wanted them to. From living at Mia’s place, to the random dinner party, or even tagging along for backup at Amber’s birthday, Mia had been the island oasis while Cierra was lost at sea.
To those following her on social media, Mia’s life appeared as one blurry carousel of nights out, fashion sample sales, and rooftop parties at hotels regular people only read about.
Which, in part, it was. But all that was a two-part facade and distraction, and Cierra was one of the few people who understood what lay beneath: a talented woman who would do anything to help her friend.
Being friends with Mia came with difficulties, mainly those of the envy-inducing variety.
And her aloofness to the general state of the world could be maddening.
People would ask what made them become friends, this odd couple, and Cierra would respond I don’t know, we just click.
But right now, as they sat across from each other, a thesis formed: both women saw something in the other, a potential or some trait hidden in plain sight to the rest of the world.
The server arrived with a fresh pair of cocktails, and the two friends clinked their glasses together; the ring of the crystal faded into the chatty background noise of golden hour.
Cierra straightened her shoulders. “This brings me to my next point. I think it’s time we made this partnership official.”
“Cierra, I told you, I don’t want to get paid—”
“Listen, I understand why you won’t take a salary, but at least let me give you a more official title? I was thinking social media director could be a great job for you. Who knows, maybe this could be a jumping-off point for a new career. Please, let me do something.”
Contemplatively, Mia looked downward, her tongue making an indent in her cheek with her lips pulled tight. She winced. “Would it be weird? Like, would I work for you?”
“No, no. It wouldn’t change anything we’ve already been doing. You’d be like a consultant.”
“Ah,” Mia said, as if she understood the implications. A sheepish look of glee appeared on her face, and the corners of her mouth turned upward in agreement. “Well then . . . fine. Let’s do it.” She stuck out her hand.
“It’s the least I can do.”
Moments later, the server came by with a neat tray of assorted small plates.
One was crusty sourdough bread covered in burrata cheese, grilled peaches and topped with mint.
Biting into it was like a refreshing, creamy burst of stone fruits and honey.
The two relished the dish, along with some fries and mayo, before speaking again — both had been much hungrier than they thought.
After they’d both had their fill, Mia asked, “So, whatever happened with Julian? Feel like I haven’t heard about him in awhile.”
“I don’t know, I’m not sure how he feels about me. He slept over and it was . . . magical.”
“Oh?” Mia asked suggestively, slowly licking around the rim of her wineglass. The man to Mia’s left at another table became transfixed, to the dismay of the date across from him.
“Mia!” Cierra whispered, but was laughing too hard to seem stern. “But the next morning, you know, we’re getting dressed and I broach the topic of—”
“Being exclusive, mm-hm, continue.”
“Right. And he said that he really liked me, wanted to keep seeing each other but—”
“Oh no.”
“He said that he wasn’t looking for anything more. But I get that, I mean, we’re both just out of long-term relationships, so it’s fine. A good thing, actually.”
“Mm. But you’re still seeing other people too, right?” Mia asked as if the only acceptable answer was, of course.
“Uh, well, not necessarily.”
“Cierra, c’mon. Please don’t tell me he’s the only guy you’ve seen this summer.”
Caught, Cierra took another bite of the rich, peachy appetizer.
“Listen, I just don’t want you getting too attached.”
“I’m not!”
Mia twisted her face. “Whatever you say.”
Cierra stuck her tongue out at Mia before taking a sip of her cocktail.
“So, are you guys seeing each other this weekend then?” Mia asked.
“No. We got dinner a couple of nights ago, and he’s got a trip with friends this weekend, so I took the Lawsons up on an offer for some extra work.
They’re renting a house up in the Catskill Mountains.
Pool. Hiking. Delicious food, of course.
” She looked curiously at Mia. “Actually, they said I could bring a friend if I wanted. I’d be cooking a decent amount, obviously, but would still have a lot of time to chill. Would you wanna come?”
“Are you serious? I’d love to!”
“For real? I wanted to invite you sooner, but figured you’d be busy. Wait, what about your birthday?”
“My party isn’t ’till the weekend after, so all good on that front.
” Mia took a sip of her Aperol spritz, the candy-cane looking straw now disintegrating into the drink.
“Feel free to invite Julian if you want, I wanna re-meet this guy. But in the meantime, I’m trying to go out less lately, and a wholesome weekend in the mountains sounds like the reset I need.
Oh! And I can bring some books, and this new yellow bikini I just bought . . .”
Mia and Cierra chattered away for the next couple of hours, which was mostly Mia laying out ideas for Cierra, now that she had real influencer status.
A mountain getaway sounded like an ideal reset, and Cierra knew she needed to be honest with herself about her feelings toward Julian.
What were they, and why did she care so much?
Cringe-worthy pangs of doubt, which she hadn’t felt since her break-up, slowly crept into her mind, like ivy growing on stone.
The dinner date they had was awkward at best, and it did nothing to convince her that their casual arrangement would be enough.
While she didn’t want to prove Mia right just yet, she knew already that, most likely, she’d need to cut things off for her own sake.
With mountains, sunshine, a pool, and her best friend, she hoped the weekend away would help to clear her mind.
Zelda, Elliot, Erik, Mia, and Cierra arrived at their Catskills rental near midnight.
There had been bumper-to-bumper traffic leaving Manhattan, as thousands of others fled the swampy island metropolis for the weekend.
Getting all the necessary food supplies on such short notice had been more stressful than Cierra had anticipated, as grocery stores were cleaned out of popular summer ingredients.
But with some last-minute adjustments to the menu, she had managed to pack everything into the van before their departure; Zelda’s last-minute work call ended up being the reason they left an hour later than planned.
Two other guests were joining them: an old friend of Zelda’s, Amy Henry, as well as Erik’s friend, Randy.
“Are we almost there?” Amy whined at the driver as they wound deeper into the mountainside of the Catskills. Outside the black van, the dense tree-lined woods, which had walled either side for the past hour, had transitioned to black jagged outlines against a sparsely starlit sky.
“Just a few minutes out,” the driver replied, the late hour reflected in his voice.
Cierra wondered how much driving he had left to do after dropping them off and hoped Zelda had paid enough for him to at least rent a hotel for the night.
Cierra never overlooked the way the rich traveled.
With enough money, so many inconveniences could disappear.
Last-minute transportation to a remote location for eight people?
No problem. The driver needs an extra two hundred dollars to rest overnight before hitting the road again? Done.