Courtney laughed like this was all somehow about her. She said that was the energy she wanted for her personal image. That she was in talks with the brand, that they were looking at her for a partnership.
She let the word partnership hang in the air like perfume.
I listened to every word like I was listening to a stranger talk about my own life. I heard it and at the same time it felt very distant. There was this strange mix of pride and irritation running through me. Pride, because I had built something that people at this table were impressed by. Irritation, because my sister had turned even that into a prop.
Michael jumped in next. He cleared his throat in that way he used to when he wanted people to know he had something important to say. He said he might be working with Ellington Atelier too, from the business side. He said Henry, the man sitting near the end of the table, was with a premium spirits company and they had been discussing a cross-promotional campaign with a major fashion house.
Henry gave a small smile and nodded, confirming that yes, there had been some promising conversations. He said the founder of the brand had a strong vision. He mentioned the word integrity.
Hearing that word in this house almost made me laugh.
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