Chapter 4
TThe rest of the day seemed to go by in a blur.
Bella spent most of the day huddled with Carrie and Luis, their head chemist, going over ingredient suggestions to alter the moisturizer product they had in development, while Jerome looked at packaging that would satisfy NASA's strict requirements and his own exacting design standards.
Because Bella Pelle manufactured all its products on-site rather than sending them out to be filled, they always had ingredients on hand.
The required machinery in the lab also meant they could move quickly when needed.
Satisfied they had the right combination of ingredients figured out, Luis was going to work on formulation and stability over the next few days and would hopefully have finished samples ready in one month for the presentation in Houston.
Bella was just about to leave the office and head home when her phone rang.
Looking down, she saw an image of her smiling dad, indicating it was him on the line.
Bella's dad was known by everyone as "Big G," and his nickname for Bella was "Little G"—G for Genovese, of course.
John Genovese had recently sold his chain of mattress stores across the Southwest, called Big G's Mattress Town, and retired, spending his time playing golf, growing tomatoes in his garden, and enjoying life with his wife, Bella's mom, Mary.
He was also an investor in Bella Pelle, saying he'd rather his money do some good while he was around to see it.
"Hey Dad, what's up?"
"Little G, how are you doing today?" her dad replied.
"Dad, we had the craziest thing happen today. I can't wait to tell you and Mom at Sunday dinner!"
"You mean the meeting with NASA?"
"Wait. How did you know about that? I thought it was top secret, and it only happened this morning."
"I know a guy."
"Dad, spill. Tell me what you know, and more importantly, how you know."
"You know that golf tournament I played in last year in Houston, at River Oaks Country Club?
Well, I was paired with this doctor from NASA and we got to talking.
I may have mentioned my amazing daughter's business, and he told me NASA was looking for some skincare for the astronauts.
We've played golf several times since then, and he remembered your company and asked for your details, so I passed them along.
He told me a few days ago you had a meeting set up.
So how did it go? Is my baby going to space? "
"I don't think I'm going to space, but our new face cream might be. And I know I'm going to Houston next month. Can I fill you and Mom in on all the details on Sunday? I need to get home to Primrose."
"Of course, baby girl. Your mom and I are so proud of you. We can't wait to hear all about it."
"Thanks, Dad. Oh, and remind Mom to make a few meatballs with no garlic or onion for Primmy. Love you!"
Bella quickly sent a text to the group chat she had with Angela and Madeline, asking if they could FaceTime tomorrow so she could fill them in, and headed to the car.
Pulling into the garage thirty minutes later, Bella closed the garage door behind her and walked into the house to hear the clickity-click of Primmy's nails on the floor as she ran to greet her, followed by the Corgi's "Arrrroouuu" when she saw her.
"I know, Primrose, I missed you too. Were you a good girl? Did you bark at anything today?"
"That dog barks at the wind, ha ha," said her friend Jackie as Bella walked into the kitchen.
"It's a Corgi thing. And honey, I'm home. I'm exhausted. What a day!"
"Then you definitely need this," Jackie said, handing her an Aperol Spritz—Bella's favorite.
Jackie Dalton and Bella had gone to high school together, and when Bella returned to Dallas, they quickly picked up where they left off. Jackie had a bawdy sense of humor and a heart of gold—a perfect combination in Bella's view.
Bella told Jackie all about the meeting, keeping some things to herself because she wasn't sure how much she was allowed to reveal, but she also knew the information wouldn't go any further than the kitchen.
"NASA. So that means you'll be meeting hot astronauts."
"Are there even such things as hot astronauts? I thought they were all nerdy types."
"Bella, you've got to come out from under the rock you've been living under. Of course there are hot astronauts. Lots of them. And you will be right there in Hottie Town Central."
"I'm going for work, not fun. Not that I even know what that is anymore."
"Well, you should. You know what they say: 'If you don't use it, you lose it.' Maybe you'll get lucky. I've heard astronauts have big rockets, if you know what I mean," Jackie said, comically wiggling her eyebrows.
Bella groaned. "Of all the astronaut jokes out there, you come up with 'big rockets'?"
"I had to. It was calling to me, and you walked right into it."
"Ha ha, I did, didn't I? Anyway, did you want to stay for dinner? Should I order in?"
"No, I've got to get going, but thanks. Are you going to need me to house-sit and Primmy-sit while you're in Houston next month? I've got nothing going on, the kids will be at summer camp, so I'm available if you need me."
"You are the best friend ever. That would be fantastic."
"No problem. But if an astronaut shows you his big rocket, then you have to tell me all about it, ha ha."
Laughing, Bella walked Jackie to the door and gave her a big hug. Once again, she found herself thinking how lucky she was to be surrounded by truly wonderful people, both at home and at work.