CHAPTER TEN

“ARE YOU OKAY?” RJ asked as Riley stood from the conference room table and began pulling her sketches together. The drawings had been spread out along the table after the PowerPoint presentation. Then the models had come in wearing the designs and she, RJ and several other members from the production team had gotten up to inspect each one personally.

“I’m fine,” she said. “The beading on the Elisa gown needs work. Everything about this line rests on the details. It was in the sketch so I’m not sure why it didn’t translate into production. I may just write a memo to the production team. That way they’ll all know to pay closer attention. But the gown will be ready by the first show so there’s no need to worry about that.”

RJ was perched on the side of the table as he listened to her, and when she came close enough, he grabbed her arm to stop her from moving.

“I wasn’t talking about the gowns, Riley. I’m asking about you.”

Her brother was six years older than her, tall and slimly built. He had a deep voice just like their father, but he was also overprotective and prone to hovering just like their mother.

“You came in late this morning. Very late.”

“So you want to dock me? I’m here at the crack of dawn every day, even on Saturdays, and I stay well into the evening every night. I don’t take sick days and only one vacation per year. Come in late one morning and I’m being scolded like I’m a slacker.”

She yanked her arm away from his grasp.

RJ put his arms up in mock surrender. “Whoa. I’m just asking as a concerned brother because I know how hard it is for you to go off script. Which is why I wondered what happened when I called your office and Korey told me you weren’t in yet and that he hadn’t heard from you.”

Riley was now snatching the sketches off the table. When she grabbed the final one, she smoothed the stack and slipped them into a case.

“And now you’re brooding because you don’t like to be wrong.” RJ chuckled. “Come on, Riley. Just tell me that everything is okay and I’ll leave you alone. I can respect your privacy.”

Her head snapped around at those words. “Liar. You probably already called Mom and Dad to see if they’d heard from me. And then you would have found Major and Maurice in whichever woman’s bed they awoke in this morning to question them.”

He chuckled. “As a matter of fact, I called Major and Maurice first.”

Riley shook her head. The Gold twins were infamous for their identical dashing good looks and their prowess with almost every woman they encountered. They were also a part of the Babysit Riley Club, in which each of her brothers proudly held membership.

“That was so unnecessary. I was just a little late.” She’d been an hour and a half late because she’d been sleeping too soundly and too comfortably in Chaz’s arms.

“But you’re never late.”

That was true.

“I apologize.”

“No need to apologize, Ri. You’re entitled to some time for yourself. It’s just that we know you, and when something changes, we worry. But I’m glad to see you’re just fine and on top of things with this new bridal collection. Your reports are amazingly detailed and the plan you’ve mapped out for marketing is stellar. I believe we have a winner here.”

That sent happy vibes throughout her body. “I’m glad to hear that because I want to revisit the specialty shops idea again. I know Dad said he didn’t want to detract from our flagship stores in Manhattan, Beverly Hills and Paris, but I really think these smaller, more focused shops will hit a section of the market we’re missing.”

They’d had this discussion before at meetings with her father; his top two designers; Major, who was the technical developer; Maurice, who was in charge of public relations; and Janel Lindsey, the CFO. The same conversation had also been held during family dinners at their parents’ house. Each time, her idea for expansion on a smaller scale was shot down, regardless of her market research on the idea. The Gold brand was big; everything they did had to be big or they didn’t do it. That was what her father insisted.

“You know how Dad feels about that.”

“He’s wrong.” She knew she was being adamant, but she couldn’t help it. She was positive the idea could succeed. Riley hoped that with the successful launch of this couture bridal collection, she could convince her father that she really did know what she was doing.

“Well, let’s just take on one thing at a time. The projected sales numbers for the Golden Bride Collection look great and the campaign you’ve outlined is amazingly thorough. If the marketing department follows through with everything you’ve pitched here, we’re looking at a major victory for the company.” RJ seemed pretty excited by that thought.

Of course he was—more sales meant more accolades for him. Not that he needed them. As the firstborn he was going to slide into the CEO position at RGF the moment their father retired. Major and Maurice didn’t want that job. But Riley could see herself doing it. She’d also seen herself as a phenomenal chief executive of market research and she knew that she was ruling that position right now. So RJ could have the CEO spot, Riley planned to make her mark right here and right now.

“I have to call Sigmund again. I missed our call this morning. But I need to stress the importance of having enough stock to fill all the preorders. Once the show is over, stores are going to need dresses to sell.”

“Maurice will have all the online specs ready to go so ordering will be possible,” RJ added.

“I don’t want there to be a wait for delivery in the first few weeks of the launch. I want brides to see these dresses, fall in love with one and plunk down their cash to buy it. And I want them to have their dresses in hand well before their wedding dates so they have more time to adore it. Especially since they’ll only have it on for one day.”

RJ eased off the table and went to grab his notepad and empty coffee cup. “There’s my sister. For a while I was wondering why you were going so hard on this collection when I knew weddings were not your thing.”

Riley picked up her half-full bottle of water. She tucked her tablet under one arm and held the sketch case in her hand.

“Oh, you know I’m never getting married. But I can relate to a woman’s dream of the perfect wedding.” Probably because she’d had it once, a long time ago. Even before Walt, Riley had dreamed of what her wedding would be like. The problem with that dream was that she’d never really thought there would be a man who she wanted to marry. Blame that on the low self-esteem that had plagued her throughout her teenage years, which she’d finally overcome when she was in college. She’d taken a chance with Walt because it was a good business match and she had liked him in the beginning. The problem was marriages shouldn’t be built on “like”—or infidelity for that matter.

“Well, you’ve conveyed your thoughts to the design team and they’ve come through in spades.” RJ led the way to the door.

“They did. I’m really pleased with everything they’ve done.”

“The show’s going to be great. Rehearsals are already planned to start early next week.”

“I’ll be there,” she said as they walked down the hall, past conference rooms and mini fitting spaces, where designs could be examined and altered.

“You know, Ri, you don’t have to do everything. I feel like you’ve been trying to make up for what happened with Walt and that’s just not necessary.”

It was. Calling off the engagement had cost the company a lucrative deal with one of the world’s top clothing distributors. On top of that, her parents had been friends with Walt’s parents for a very long time. The breakup had been about more than just her and Walt. It had severed a business connection and a friendship. Right or wrong, Riley carried that guilt.

“I should have never agreed to marry him. The entire relationship was a mistake. One I plan to never make again.”

“Well, you know how I feel about relationships, so you’ll get no argument from me. But I would like to see you socializing a little more. Going to parties just to have fun instead of reeling in designers for the company. Taking more than one vacation. Sleeping in one morning because you work too many long days and nights in the first place. You know, stuff like that.”

He nudged her when he finished and grinned.

Riley smiled back while shaking her head.

“I know you’re not talking. You are the biggest workaholic of us all.” Which was true. Major and Maurice were the most relaxed of the Gold siblings, while Riley and RJ took the job, the company and their family obligations much more seriously.

He shrugged as they moved to the elevators. “You might be right about that, but I do at least take the time to go on a date here and there. You’re on this solo crusade when I think a little socializing might be good for you every now and then.”

“Wait a minute. Are you, my big brother, telling me to find a guy to sleep with?”

“Whoa. Oh no! Full stop! That is not what I said. Let’s just change the subject.”

Riley chuckled at RJ’s completely over-the-top but hilarious reaction as they stepped into the elevator.

“Yeah, I think changing the subject might be a good idea,” she said and laughed a little more.

“What’s your vision for ChatMe? Do you see yourself finding the woman of your dreams through your singles app?”

Chaz was momentarily taken off guard by the question. He hadn’t custom designed a singles app. That had not been his vision at all. And the part about finding the woman of his dreams... Just no.

“ChatMe will be a hub for a certain demographic to socialize, share their triumphs, issues, goals, etc. The app was never intended to be just about dating.” He gave the response in a smooth and relaxed tone even though on the inside he was irritated by the question.

Maybe because Riley had said something very similar last night.

“Okay, I hear you.” The interviewer’s name was Valeria and she was the owner of a popular blog and YouTube show. She was pretty and had already expressed her personal interest in him prior to requesting a formal interview.

Chaz had declined the personal invite but accepted the professional one because her blog and show had over two million subscribers.

“But you have to admit that your following in the past few years since you blew up on social media has been women. Many of whom are looking for a way to reach out to you personally.”

Valeria had a sly smile, sea green eyes and a mass of curly hair. A week ago, Chaz would have slept with her. Today he was simply trying to get through this interview.

“Social media is all about making connections. Business networking, friendships and, yes, even committed relationships have been born from the many platforms out there. At Conversation Media our goal has always been to start conversations. ChatMe will do the same on a more focused level. We’re excited about its formal release in two weeks and hope you’ll join us for the launch.”

With that, Chaz stood. He buttoned his suit jacket and said, “We’re done.”

Valeria stopped her recorder and hurriedly stood, as well. “Ah, okay. I hope you weren’t bothered by the questions. Inquiring minds want to know.” She attempted a joking tone but Chaz really wasn’t feeling it.

“It’s fine. Can you just let my PR people know when the interview will be posted?”

“I really wish you’d let me do a live show, Chaz. I’m sure we would’ve gotten thousands of viewers if we’d gone that route. Maybe you’ll reconsider for the week of the launch. It’ll be double exposure for you on the blog and the broadcast.”

Chaz started to walk away. “As I stated before, that’s not possible. I’ll be tied up with pre‒Fashion Week events during that time.”

“Oh, right, the favor you’re doing for your uncle. That’s so noble of you.”

“There’s nothing noble about what I’m doing. King Designs is a family business that put me through private schools and college. My loyalty will always be to my family.” Chaz wasn’t sure why this woman was irritating him so much today. He just knew that the sooner he could get away from her, the better.

“Well then, I’ll be sure to let your people know when I post the interview.”

He didn’t miss the bite in her tone and he understood the real meaning of her words—she would post when she felt like it.

“I appreciate that. We have a vigorous lineup of promotion on all media platforms beginning early next week and going into the month after launch, so we’d like to keep track of all of the places we need to thank for their support.”

And if she wasn’t one of them, he would have to accept that, but Chaz had never allowed a reporter to take advantage of him or to play him for their own personal reasons, and he wasn’t about to start now.

His phone rang and Chaz said goodbye to Valeria before walking out of the room.

“I was able to move the first run-through to one thirty but we’ve got models, makeup artists, hair stylists and photographers on the clock,” Chaz’s assistant said when he answered.

“I’m on my way. Getting in the car now.”

Chaz ended the call and stepped into the elevator. Minutes later, he was walking out of the building and onto the sidewalk filled with New Yorkers on the move.

Guy, his driver, had already stepped out of the black town car and was opening the back door for him to get in. Chaz slipped onto the backseat and pulled up his text messages. Nothing from Riley.

He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad sign.