LILAC Sisterhood 2: Wallflower in Bloom

CARLY

When I wake up the next morning, I am still riding the high of yesterday.

I shower and do my hair and try to put on something fashionable. Sloan always looks like a model, and I can’t compete with her, but I just have to try to live up to her.

Once I am ready, I make my way into the office. When I walk inside, I realize that I have no idea where my desk even is at this point, so I just go to Sloan’s office and knock on the door.

“Hi, Sloan. Marlene said I should shadow you today?” I try to speak with a smile, but it just comes out as a timid question.

She smiles. “Oh, sure, yeah. I wasn’t sure if she had talked to you yet. Come on in.”

“I’m excited to work with you. You did such a good job with the LILAC party,” I say, trying to recover some of my dignity.

“Thank you. Come and sit; I’ll show you what I’m doing,” she says as she grabs a plush, fuzzy stool and pulls it closer to her desk, then pats it.

I shadow Sloan for most of the morning, taking notes. She has me work on a document about LILAC’s brand standards to make sure I know what to check whenever she isn’t around.

“Carly, did Marlene explain the whole situation to you?” she asks randomly.

“She said that you need an assistant and she thinks we would work well together,” I explain.

“Yeah, I just realized that she probably didn’t tell you everything. So, I’m pregnant. I don’t plan on being out for long, but it will be for a while at least.”

“First, congratulations! Second, holy shit, I’m not ready to take over for you.”

Wait, did I say that out loud?

“You don’t have to; you can handle the day-to-day things, and anything bigger, I’ll at least consult on,” she says.

“I’m having a really easy healthy pregnancy so far, so don’t freak out. And I definitely love LILAC and want to come back.”

“Okay, yeah, I guess I see why Marlene didn’t tell me—it’s not her place—but thanks for letting me know. I guess I need to make sure my notes are on point.”

Oh my God, oh my God… I hope I can handle this.

Sloan smiles. “You’ll be fine. Do you have lunch plans? I’m meeting with Abbot Dubois about an upcoming project. I’m sure I’ll need your help on it, so if you’re free, I’d love for you to join us.”

Dubois, as in the fashion house? Holy crap, I guess I’m going to have to get used to this.

“Yes, absolutely, thank you, Sloan, I would love to come.”

We end up working a little longer until it is time to leave for the meeting. Sloan offers to drive, and we make our way downtown.

“Sloan, sorry if this is a silly question.”

“There are no silly questions. I’m not the best at explaining things myself, so feel free to ask whatever you need to.”

“I’m assuming we’re going to meet someone from Dubois, like the fashion house? What are we doing with them?”

“Oh, we’re planning a huge event, but we’ll get more details at lunch. We’re meeting Abbot Dubois, the daughter of the main designer. I’ve only talked to her via email, but she seems nice.”

“Okay, thanks.”

I pull out my phone and start researching Abbot Dubois while I scribble notes in my journal. I thrive off notes and handwritten lists; it’s just my process.

When we pull up to the restaurant, there is a valet, so Sloan checks her car, and we make our way into the restaurant.

Sloan and I stand in the entryway while we scan for Abbot. Sloan jumps when Abbot comes up from behind and surprises us. When we spin around, Abbot Dubois is smiling at us.

“Sloan, I’m so happy to meet you! You look so beautiful,” she says excitedly while bouncing on her feet. She looks like she has a lot of energy.

“Wow, thank you, so do you. This is Carly, my new assistant. She’ll be helping with the event as well,” Sloan explains.

Abbot smiles at me. She is really beautiful; her complexion is creamy and smooth and she has blue eyes and chocolate-brown hair.

Then there is Sloan. She may be pregnant but her body looks incredible; you can tell that she works out. Her skin is smooth and olive toned and her big brown eyes are what people write songs about.

Sitting at a table with Sloan and Abbot may not be good for my self-esteem.

“Great, let’s sit, I can’t wait to pick your brain,” Abbot says, and I realize that I’ve been totally checked out for a few seconds.

After I’m seated with Abbot and Sloan, a waitress comes and takes our drinks order, and Abbot orders mimosas for the table.

She giggles. “Sorry, I know it’s a working lunch but I think better with a little champagne in my system.”

“You’re fine, go ahead, Carly. Actually, Abbot, I should tell you, I’m pregnant, but no worries; we have Carly to help us out,” Sloan explains.

“Wow, congratulations. I mean, sorry if I’m prying, but is the father the singer from the purple party?” Abbot asks and it just reminds me of how much of a celebrity Sloan really is.

“Yes, Kade, we’re engaged. We’re getting married this weekend,” she explains.

I didn’t even know that they were getting married, but that is so sweet. He was so cute when he talked about her on stage at the purple party.

“Wow! That’s amazing, congratulations,” Abbot squeals.

I realize I haven’t said a damn thing since we sat down, and it seems like Abbot has noticed too.

“So, Carly, how do you feel about getting into branding and event design?” she asks.

“I love LILAC, and Sloan is great, so I’m excited about the opportunity,” is all I can come up with on the spot.

“Carly, I know it’s a lot to take in, but you’ll be okay,” Sloan assures me.

“Thanks, Sloan.”

For the rest of our meeting, I feverishly scribble notes; it’s all I know to do. Plus, Sloan and Abbot talk really fast, so there is a lot to write.

Abbot smiles. “I’m enjoying myself; you girls are fun.”

“Yeah, this is going well. I’m getting a ton of ideas. The only thing we haven’t discussed is the date,” Sloan explains.

“Sooner than later hopefully. Maybe in two or three months,” Abbot offers.

“Wow, I’ll be really pregnant, then, but we’ll just make sure that Carly is up to speed,” Sloan says with a laugh.

Me, up to speed? I’m not sure that I’m ready for this.

“I plan to help out a lot too. The fashion side of Dubois is very particular about their branding for shows and things, so it won’t all be on you two,” Abbot explains.

“All right, well, I think this is great for a first meeting. Maybe we’ll do this once a week for a while until we’re all on the same page,” Sloan suggests.

“That sounds great. Thanks for meeting me today, ladies,” Abbot says.

Eventually, we settle the bill and head back to Sloan’s car. I feel super overwhelmed already. What a first day and it is only lunchtime.

When we get into the car, my brain goes into overdrive, so I just ask Sloan what’s on my mind. “So, what do we need to do for the event? Provide a high-level idea?”

“Actually, this is going to be a little new for me too. With the purple party, I had an event team behind me. I think with the new position, we’ll be in charge of everything,” Sloan explains.

“Wow, can we do that?” comes out before I can think about it.

“We can. I know it’s a lot. I was stressed about the purple party, but we have more connections now, plus Abbot and whomever else they give us from Dubois will be helping,” she assures me.

“I only had a week last time. This time, we have so much more time.”

“You’re right. I don’t doubt you. I think I am just nervous,” I admit.

Sloan smiles. “Carly, I appreciate all the effort you are putting into this but try not to think of me as like a boss. This will go better if you can talk to me.”

“I know, Sloan, sorry. I tend to get myself worked up.”

“You’re fine, don’t worry. I just want you to know you can talk to me. I’m not used to being anyone’s boss either.”

I don’t understand how she is so nice; she is literally like second in command at LILAC now, so beautiful, so perfect, marrying a rock star… She has her entire life together.

We both laugh a little, and the rest of the day goes smoothly until it’s time for me to head home.

When I get home, I am so exhausted, which never happens to me. I take a bath and let myself go to bed super early.

I usually have a really hard time sleeping, so if I’m tired, I’m going to take all the hours I can get.