Styled For Love

Chapter Five

The following evening, I found myself at a cozy little bar in the Lower East Side, the kind of place that felt intimate despite the crowd. Warm lighting bounced off the dark wooden walls, giving the space an amber glow. It was alive with laughter, the soft hum of conversations mixing with the clink of glasses. Joey had been itching for a reason to celebrate, and when I told him about my three job offers, he practically demanded a gathering.

"Kiersten, three offers? You've hit the jackpot!" he exclaimed as soon as I walked in, waving me over to the bar where he was already nursing a gin and tonic. His eyes sparkled with the kind of joy that only Joey could bring—unapologetically effusive, his excitement always bubbling just below the surface, waiting for a reason to explode.

"I know, right? It's surreal." I slid onto the barstool next to him and ordered a prosecco, the sweet anticipation of the evening starting to build.

It wasn't long before Francesca swept in, her presence commanding attention even in the dimly lit room. She was draped in a striking red dress that hugged her curves perfectly, each step she took purposeful and full of confidence. Heads turned, but her gaze found me, and she smiled. Something about her energy made it impossible not to feel alive in her presence.

Joey's eyes widened. "Holy shit, you didn't tell me we were partying with that level of fabulousness tonight."

"I try to keep you on your toes," I teased, grinning as Francesca reached us, her own excitement blending seamlessly with Joey's. I had been eager for them to meet, feeling like they would instantly connect. And I was right. Within minutes, they were bantering like they'd known each other for years, finding common ground in their shared love for the city's nightlife and the endless possibilities it seemed to offer.

After a few rounds of drinks, I raised my glass. "Okay, we need to toast! To new beginnings and fabulous friends!"

"To new beginnings!" Joey and Francesca echoed in unison, their glasses clinking with mine, the crisp sound punctuating the moment. As the bubbles from the prosecco danced in my glass, I felt a surge of excitement for what was to come, the world feeling wide open, full of promise.

We settled into an easy rhythm of conversation, laughing over Joey's exaggerated stories from our high school days, which never failed to send me into fits of laughter. Francesca, ever the charmer, had Joey wrapped around her finger within minutes, exchanging tales of wild nights out, her stories full of glamorous New York events and characters straight out of a high-society novel.

After a particularly hilarious anecdote from Francesca involving a scandalous run-in at the Met Gala, Joey leaned in, his expression suddenly more serious. "But seriously, Kiersten," he began, "you've got some big decisions to make. You've got the offers—what's next?"

I sipped my prosecco, the bubbles tickling my nose as I tried to weigh my options. "Honestly, I'm torn. Glitz is iconic, right? But the travel agency... I mean, they're offering me the chance to travel for work. That's a dream come true."

Francesca, ever the voice of reason, nodded thoughtfully. "Traveling for work is amazing. You'd get to experience so much of the world. But Glitz? Darling, that's like a golden ticket into the fashion world. You'd be rubbing elbows with designers, editors—everyone that matters."

Joey chimed in, "Yeah, and don't forget the connections. Glitz could set you up for life. It's not just about now, it's about where you want to be in five years."

I nodded, trying to absorb their advice, but my mind kept drifting back to Evelyn Voss—the powerful, magnetic editor-in-chief who had left a mark on me in ways I hadn't anticipated. Her image flashed in my mind: the cool, calculated demeanor, the way her eyes had locked onto mine during the interview, as if she were seeing right through me. Something about her felt unfinished, like a chapter I had only just begun to read.

"I know Glitz is the smart choice," I admitted, swirling the last of my drink. "It's just... Evelyn Voss. She's... I don't know, there's something about her."

Joey raised an eyebrow. "Wait, who's Evelyn Voss?"

"The editor-in-chief. She's... intense." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "She handled my interview personally, which apparently she never does. And she's just... captivating."

Francesca's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Ah, now we're getting to the heart of it. You're intrigued by her."

"I don't know if intrigued is the right word." I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. "But she has this presence. Like she could just command the room without saying a word. And I can't stop thinking about her."

Joey let out a low whistle. "Sounds like someone made quite the impression on our girl."

Francesca leaned closer, her voice soft but teasing. "Sounds like someone wants to get to know her a little better."

I laughed it off, but the truth was, they were right. Evelyn Voss was on my mind far more than she should have been. There was something about her that had lingered long after the interview—a magnetic pull that I couldn't quite shake.

The night carried on in a haze of laughter, drinks, and good company, but the thought of Evelyn never strayed far. Even as we shared more stories and plotted out my future, I found myself wondering what it would be like to see her again, to sit across from her and unravel the mystery of who she really was.

By the time I slipped into bed that night, the city quiet around me, my thoughts were racing. The evening had been perfect—Joey and Francesca were the kind of friends that made everything feel possible—but beneath it all, Evelyn remained, hovering in the background of my mind like a distant storm.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by my phone vibrating on the nightstand. My heart leapt into my throat as I saw the caller ID: Glitz magazine.

I answered, my voice catching slightly. "Hello?"

"Kiersten? This is Claire from Glitz. I'm calling to let you know we'd like to extend you an offer to join our team. The position is yours, and we've also adjusted the salary—higher than what you initially discussed, to reflect your qualifications."

I was momentarily stunned into silence. I had gotten the job. Glitz. The words tumbled out of my mouth before I had a chance to fully process them. "Thank you so much! I accept."

Claire gave me the next steps before hanging up, leaving me sitting there in a daze. My heart raced as the reality sunk in. I was going to be working at Glitz magazine.

But amidst the excitement, there was one overwhelming thought: I was going to see Evelyn Voss again. And this time, I wasn't just another applicant. I was going to be part of her world. The very thought sent a shiver down my spine.

As I sat there, the weight of the decision pressing against me, I couldn't help but smile. This was just the beginning. Evelyn Voss had unknowingly pulled me into her orbit, and I was more than ready to see where this strange and thrilling journey would lead.