29. Chelsi
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
chelsi
It’s the first day of my internship with Addison’s company, and I might be slightly freaking out.
Scratch that—definitely freaking out. I’m on my sixth outfit change of the morning because nothing in my closet aligns with the vibe I want.
There was even a point about twenty minutes ago where I contemplated raiding Kate’s closet—a true act of desperation, considering it’s primarily full of dress slacks and cardigan sets.
Staring at my reflection in the floor-length mirror in my bedroom, I’m half-tempted to change again, hating the leather pants, sheer black top, and multicolored tank look I’m wearing. It’s a perfect fit for my usual style, edgy yet professional, but it all seems wrong this morning.
Ugh. I toss my head back and groan, looking at the ceiling and hoping a brilliant idea about what to wear will pop into my head in the next five minutes, or I’m going to be stuck in this outfit.
My phone dings with an incoming message. It’s probably Kate, wondering why it sounds like a petulant teenager lives in her house.
I can’t help but smile when I see Alex’s name on my screen.
It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since the tour buses brought us home, but it feels like longer.
After spending the last three evenings sleeping in his arms in the back lounge area of the band bus, I struggled to fall asleep on my own last night, even though I was utterly exhausted.
Alex
Morning, gorgeous! I hope you have a great first day. I know you’re going to do amazing.
Chelsi
Thanks. I’m nervous…
Alex
That’s completely understandable. You’re about to get a shot at your dream career. Anyone would be nervous in your situation.
Chelsi
I can’t even figure out what to wear.
Alex
Don’t overthink it. You were born to do this. Addison raves about your eye for fashion. Trust your gut.
I close my eyes tightly and focus on my breathing, trying to push down the rising anxiety and calm my brain.
This is the biggest opportunity of my life.
One I deserve. I’m going to prove to everyone, especially myself, that I can do this and earn a permanent full-time role.
Officially move to Nashville. Start this new chapter of my life in an industry I love.
Hopefully, with the man who is stealing my heart after only a few days.
Chelsi
How do you know what to say to make me feel better?
Alex
Just telling the truth.
When are you planning on heading out?
I glance at the time, quickly realizing changing into another outfit is no longer an option. Addison’s office is a thirty-minute drive from here, so I need to get on the road to make sure I’m not late. Definitely don’t want to start on the wrong foot with my new boss, Stasha.
Chelsi
Heading out now.
After taking one final look in the mirror, I adjust my necklace and add another set of bracelets to my wrist before grabbing my bag and phone to head out the door. Maybe if there’s no traffic, I’ll have time to grab a coffee. A jolt of caffeine would do wonders for my sleep deprivation.
“Leaving,” I shout as I walk into the foyer, unsure of where Kate and Jake are. Both of them work from home when they’re in Nashville, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re already in the office and studio or having sex somewhere…probably the latter.
When I fling the front door open, I’m startled to see another person standing on the front porch—Alex.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, completely shocked to see him.
He grins. “Thought I’d give you a good-luck hug before your first day. And bring you some coffee.”
My mouth drops open. “Are you meeting with Jake this morning?”
He shakes his head and hands me a to-go cup from my favorite coffee shop.
“But you live almost forty minutes away. And your office is close to your apartment. Or at least, that’s what I thought you said.”
He takes a step closer to me, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “You’re not wrong. I wanted to see you, so I made the time.”
I swallow hard as butterflies flutter in my stomach. “You came all the way out here…”
“To see you, Chelsi. Today’s a big deal for you. I wanted to be a part of it,” he says softly, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to his chest.
The rest of the world melts away for a minute. Nothing else matters except the two of us. Is this what it feels like when a partner puts your first? When someone goes above and beyond to show you they care?
My eyes begin to brim with tears, overcome with emotion that he would put in such effort after only talking to me for a few days. We haven’t gone on a date yet. He’s not even kissed me. And he did all of this. For me.
I sniffle, blinking away the tears that are ready to start falling.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, leaning back to look in my eyes. “Did I do something?”
“No one’s… I’ve never been treated like this before. It’s unexpected.”
Alex cups my face in his hand, never losing eye contact. “Get used to it, Chelsi. Showing up this morning and bringing you coffee is the bare minimum of what you should expect.” He caresses my cheek. “This is only the beginning for us. Get used to being treated like the queen you are.”
He leans forward, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, sending a tingling sensation through my nerves. It’s almost like my body lights up at his touch, as if it’s been waiting a lifetime for him.
“Have a great day, Chelsi,” he says before embracing me in another hug. He takes one final look at me and then heads to his truck.
As I watch him drive away, my mind tries to process everything that’s happened over the last few days. The conversations we’ve had. The hopes and dreams we’ve shared. The heartbreak we’ve both experienced.
Nothing in my life has ever felt like this.
Stepping into Addison’s studio is like walking into the offices of Runway magazine in The Devil Wears Prada.
Everyone is impeccably dressed. The furniture is modern with crisp lines, the walls painted a soft cream.
There are racks upon racks of clothing. And the shoes…
I’ve never seen so many designer shoes in one location.
Addison lets out a small squeal when she sees me across the office, quickly walking toward me. “I’m so glad you’re here, Chelsi. I can’t wait for you to meet Stasha and the rest of the team.”
“Thank you once again for the opportunity. I promise I won’t let you down.
” I reply, beaming at Addison, eternally grateful to her for making my wildest dreams come true.
Not only is she giving me a shot at a career I’ve only ever fantasized about having, but she also understands my need to earn it.
“Hopefully, Anna wasn’t horribly upset when you turned down her offer.” Addison smirks. “It was rather nice to compete against her and win at something. She’s so often untouchable.”
I chuckle, placing my hand over my heart. “She took the news just fine. A little disappointed but completely understood.” It also probably helped that she’s been dealing with a shitstorm with one of her clients, so she had much bigger fish to fry than getting rejected by me.
“Is it wrong that I was secretly hoping she was devastated?” Addison raises her eyebrows and smushes her lips together.
“Let’s not poke the bear. The last thing any of us needs is a pissed-off Anna,” a leggy brunette says, strolling across the space to join us. “God help anyone who ever scorns Anna. I’d probably buy a one-way ticket to a desert island if that ever happened to me.”
Addison and I nod in agreement. Anna may come across as all sweet and innocent, but she’s ruthless when it comes to protecting her reputation and the people she cares about. A perfect mix of Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama meets Olivia Pope from Scandal.
A small shiver rushes through me at the thought of ever doing anything to Anna that would cause her to unleash holy hell on me. It’s my life’s mission never to see that happen. Merely getting a taste of the animosity she has toward Jason should scare someone straight.
“I’m thrilled to have you join the team, Chelsi. I’m Stasha.” My new boss shakes my hand and gives me the most welcoming smile.
While Addison’s styling experience is impressive, Stasha is a legend in the industry.
She’s worked with literally every major celebrity.
Rumor has it she can get anyone on the phone in only a few minutes.
She turns down opportunities to work with the biggest stars if their behavior doesn’t align with her expectations.
As soon as I googled Stasha after Addison offered me the job, I knew this was no ordinary internship.
This is the chance of a lifetime. One I refuse to squander.