Without focusing too much on what she was drawing or writing, Summer began to let her pen flow across the current page of her notebook. She thought about the Chicago lingerie boutique and the unique way her sisters tapped into the bachelorette and bridal business by incorporating masquerade lingerie parties into the boutique’s services. She then thought about Aiden’s idea to feature Bare Sophistication in his photography exhibit to represent the sexiness of Miami—and the exposure they would receive if everything went as planned.
Rubbing her locket with her left hand, she let her right hand do most of the work, further thinking about the beauty trade shows she’d attended throughout the years. She leaned over to her small bookcase and pulled out her tablet to view the details she had regarding her budget and photos of the layout of her shop. It wasn’t until her hand stopped moving that she noticed the music on the opposite side of her bedroom wall had actually gotten louder than it was before.
She stared at the wall as if it were a mirror staring back at her. Glancing back down at her notebook, she looked at the preliminary plan she’d present to the girls tomorrow.
There was no guarantee that they would be interested in her plan, but if they were, there was no doubt in her mind that Bare Sophistication Miami had just found its niche in the industry. “Well, well, you crazy old man. Guess your opera music served me well tonight.”
“Thanks for the detailed email yesterday,” Daxton said on the other end of the phone. “I presented your idea to the CEO and the rest of the team and they loved the idea of Miami Unleashed for your feature exhibit.”
Aiden raised his fist in victory as he peered out of the floor-to-ceiling window in the penthouse suite of the hotel he was staying at. It had been three days since he’d seen Summer and he couldn’t wait to tell her the news. “I was hoping you’d say that. And I have complete creative freedom?”
“Yes, you do. I just need you to keep me abreast of your plan of action because we’re already working on concepts for the other two photographers being showcased.”
“I’ll make sure I keep you in the loop, but just like I wrote in the email, the overall idea is to represent the sexiness of Miami. I want to show the raw fashion. The somewhat unorthodox fashion. The fashion that may lie beneath the clothing. A lot of folks don’t look at Miami as a fashion capital like LA and New York, so I want to change their view through my photos. Which is why a few pieces will be photos of Bare Sophistication’s lingerie collection.”
“I meant to ask you about that.” Aiden could hear Dax typing on his laptop. “I did some research and although Bare Sophistication has a location in Chicago, the Miami one hasn’t opened yet. How did you hear about this place and why will it be a central part of your exhibit?”
Aiden cleared his throat. “You’ve never asked me details about my work before.”
“Well, we’ve never given you complete creative control before. You’re already one of our top fashion photographers and even though you travel out of the country for us a lot, you said your next move is nailing a high-profile corporate position. You want to be the creative director of our travel and fashion photographers in our London office. That’s a huge responsibility.”
“I know it is, but after eight years of being a fashion photographer for Palmer Lane, I’m ready to step into a new role. Besides, now that Palmer Lane has partnered with Rogan Studios, the idea of merging film and photo is too good to pass up.” And it puts me one step closer to fulfilling my dream of filming a documentary.
“I’m sure the London partnership will stream down to the other offices within the next two years. So why not get more involved in the New York office like you are in LA? They’ve wanted you in New York permanently for a while now, since the fashion scene is larger. You’re traveling to New York all the time anyway, and eventually my new role will place me there permanently.”
Aiden ran his fingers across his face. “Living in Jersey, I basically grew up in New York. LA was a nice change, but London will be even better.”
The line grew silent. “Dax, are you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Look, as your business manager, I have to question you more than usual about this exhibit because you’re up against some stiff competition. But as your friend, I have to ask you if this is really what you want.”
They’d talked about it before, so Aiden knew where the conversation was headed.
“Yes, I want the position.”
“Okay, man, if you want it, then I want you to have that position just as much as you do. I just always thought that, by now, you’d have moved on from Palmer Lane.”
“You haven’t moved on.”
“I’m in sales. You’re on the creative side. Our worlds are completely different and I know you’ve been approached with opportunities from other companies. Photographers with your talent usually don’t do the same thing for too long. I won’t go there with you right now, but don’t think I don’t notice things.”
Aiden opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the balcony. “And what things do you notice?”
“Well, for starters, did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out that Summer Dupree is the owner of the new Bare Sophistication store that’s opening soon? The same company that happens to be the main inspiration for your exhibit?”
Aiden laughed. “So you do remember when I told you about her.”
“Man, you date even less than I do, and that’s saying a lot because I rarely have time to date. Summer is the only woman you’ve ever mentioned to me.”
“What about Adriana? You actually met Adriana and we dated for two and a half years.”
“You mean the Adriana who left the Palmer Lane office throwing vases at my head even though you’re the one who’d just broken up with her? That Adriana?”
“Any grown woman who throws a temper tantrum in a public place has a lot of growing to do. You should have seen my office.”
“Childish or not, she never stood a chance with you. You’re one of the most down-to-earth guys I know, but around her, you weren’t yourself. You were closed off. I’m not even sure she truly knew you.”
Aiden thought about Daxton’s words. Adriana hadn’t expected the breakup, but he knew it had been the right thing to do. “It wasn’t fair to date her for as long as I did. I know that now.”
“My sister tells me that all men are slow, so don’t blame yourself. Our gender never had a chance at easy breakups. Have you seen Summer yet?”
“I saw her a few days ago at her boutique and I helped her organize a few heavy boxes.”
“That’s good. Hopefully, you can rekindle your friendship with her. I know she means a lot to you.”
Means a lot was an understatement, but Dax didn’t need to know all that. “Thanks, man. If I think of any additional details for the creative portion of the exhibit, I’ll email you later today.”
“Sounds good.”
After disconnecting his call, Aiden stretched his arms before leaning over the balcony to view the red-orange sun setting over beautiful Biscayne Bay. Although the view was fantastic, Aiden had stayed in enough hotels to last a lifetime. He’d contact the realty company for the temporary home he wanted soon.
Movement in his peripheral caught his eye. There was a couple a few balconies over who’d clearly had a much better morning than he had. Not that his morning had been unpleasant. But judging from the looks on the man’s and woman’s faces, their morning had included some extracurricular activities.
He thought