Page 6 of Love Me Like You Do

Someone got up to hug her, and others called out from their seats, but everyone seemed welcoming and lovely. But—for the love of God—they were all wearing her robes.

She went boiling hot. Her mom hadgiven them away? What was she thinking? But the women were introducing themselves, so Hailey gave them the courtesy of her attention. “So nice to meet you.”

“Your mom is thebomb,” one of them said. “I never thought about who designed a rock star’s costumes, but to find out your mom did Kaley McCutcheson’s last tour? I’m dying.”

“And Alexis de la Cruz.” The woman fanned herself. “I can’t believe she came up with crazy-ass looks like that.”

Her mom had been working since high school. She’d started out in her drama program in New York City, and since there were a lot of celebrities’ kids there, she’d gotten her first job right here in the city making costumes for Shakespeare on Lex when she was nineteen.

She tried to hide it, but Hailey was livid. So, when her mom brought a chair to the table for her, she said, “No,” a little too harshly.

Hurt wrenched her mom’s features.

“I need to talk to you in private.”

“Sure.” She ushered Hailey to the bar. “What’s wrong?”

Hailey kept her back to the table, so they wouldn’t see her expression. It wasn’t their fault. “You gave them my robes.”

“Oh, honey. They’re stunning. You’ve really hit on something here. The girls are obsessed with them—”

“Mom. That’s my inventory. I’m building it up for when I finally launch my own line.”

“I know that. But seriously, what’re you waiting for? You’ve always been so cautious, and where has it gotten you? You’re wasting your talent on that boring nightgown company.”

Because I don’t want to be like you.I don’t want to go from gig to gig, one friend’s couch to another. I don’t want to jokingly ask someone to buy me dinner because I have no money for food.

I never want to eat tuna out of a can again as long as I live.

But she didn’t say that. Instead, she said, “It’s my career, and I’m going to run it the way I want. I have a great job, and I’m very lucky to work for a company like Abbott’s. But most importantly, I’m saving money until I can afford to go out on my own.”

“You’re twenty-eight years old. Instead of that second job, you should be selling your designs on your own website.”

“Please don’t tell me what to do.”You’re not exactly a model for entrepreneurism. “I have a plan.”

“Okay, but in some ways, don’t you think yourplanis a cover for your fear of failure? Honey, you can do your job in your sleep, and I know designing flannel nightgowns doesn’t feed your creative fire. At some point, you’ve got to just jump in. Come here.” She led her back to the table. “Guys, tell her how much you love the robes.”

“Oh, my God. This is insane.” A brunette stood up, swayed her hips, and lifted her arms to show off the bell sleeves. “I’ve never worn anything like it.”

“I’m never wearing anything else again,” another woman said. “It’s better than being naked.”

Her mom shot her a delighted look.See?

“Oh, thank you.” Hailey gave the women a genuine smile. “I really appreciate it.” And she did. It was the first bit of feedback she’d gotten.

“Give us your business card,” a tall redhead said. “We’ll hand them out to everyone. I promise you’re going to make a killing on these. You won’t be able to keep them in stock.”

And that’s the problem in a nutshell.“Thank you so much. You’ve made my day.” Fed up, she had to get out of there. “Well, I need to get going, but it was nice to meet all of you.” She headed toward the glowing red exit sign, her mom hot on her heels.

“Hailey, hang on.”

She couldn’t even look at her. She pushed the lever and stepped outside.

“Wait.” Her mom seemed out of breath. “Why are you so angry?”

“Because I don’t have a business yet. I make these robes in my spare time.”

“Not for long. Once the word spreads, your sales are going to explode. We’ll sell them here in the gift shop. Well, we don’t have one yet, but we can start one.”