Sophie’s mouth twisted. “Maybe, but big is beautiful, and I’m prepared to fight anyone who says otherwise.” Jumping off the stool, she looked around, fists raised like she was prepared to physically fight someone.
Standing, I gripped her wrists to lower them. “Easy there, killer.”
Taking a calming breath, Sophie collapsed back onto her seat.
“Sorry, I get a little fired up about it. Women like me”—she gestured to her own curvy body—“don’t often get represented. It’s refreshing that someone finally had the guts to metaphorically give the middle finger to the fashion world and show them that you don’t have to fit into their size 00 mold to be confident and feel sexy in your own skin. The standard set for women to have thigh gaps and every rib showing has gotten out of control.”
“You know I agree with you, Soph.”
“I mean, look around. There are more of us than there are of them. In the US alone, almost three-quarters of the population is overweight or obese. We could take those skinny bitches—you excluded, of course. I will . . . I will sit on someone if I have to!”
I desperately tried to hold back my laughter, but she was too much, and I doubled over laughing so hard my sides hurt. When I finally came up for air, I looked at my friend and colleague. “I’m glad you’re on my side, Soph.”
Clearly, the liquor was turning on her as I watched her first transform from giggly to feisty, and now emotional. Her coffee-colored eyes grew glassy, and tears slipped down her cheeks. “Lucy, thank you for taking a chance on me and allowing me to design for bigger women everywhere, who deserve the same incredible fashion options as everyone else.”
Pulling her in for a tight hug, I shushed her. “Aw, Soph. I love what you bring to the team. It won’t be long before you’re running your own label. You’re talented and have an incredible vision.”
Breaking free, she wiped at her wet face. “Enough about me. What are you going to do now that Addy June is hitting it big? You could totally leverage your success into a bridal line.”
“When would I find the time? I barely have enough to manage Addy June. Adding another line just doesn’t seem possible.”
Especially when I am already running a second line.
“But you’re so good at it. Just imagine the impact you would have if you brought your talents to offering stunning wedding dresses to women of all sizes.”
I tried my hand at bridal when Natalie remarried a year ago. I not only designed her gown, but I also made it myself—by hand. It turned out stunningly, and now I was designing one for Amy. She and Liam got married last fall, but they’d eloped and were now in the process of planning a state wedding. Millions around the world would see the dress I created for Amy.
In another life—if I didn’t have royal obligations—I could add a bridal line to my repertoire, but I was already stretched too thin. I should be grateful for what I’d been allowed to accomplish already, but I couldn’t help but yearn for more.
Closing out the bar tab, I encouraged Sophie to call it a night, and we returned to our hotel together. Ensuring she arrived safely to her room, I went to mine, barely making it inside before I collapsed on the bed. Falling asleep in my clothes after the whirlwind of a day, my last thought was a silent wish that I could be free.
Chapter 2
Lucy
Leaving New York, Imade a quick pit stop in Hartford, Connecticut, to spend a few hours with my nieces, Amelia and Charlotte, and nephews, Jameson and Beau—Natalie’s children. Charlotte, who we called Charlie, was from her second marriage, but I loved her just the same.
These kids were given the childhood I always dreamed of—a normal one. Far from Belleston, they weren’t constantly hounded by the press and were free to simply be children.
But it was all a façade. Someday, Jameson would be called upon to rule as my brother’s eldest son. At least his siblings would be free to live their lives as they chose. Natalie made sure of that when she took sole custody in the divorce.
The real reason for my stopover in Connecticut was to pick up Amy and Liam so we could travel back to Belleston together. They were in the throes of wedding planning, so at least I had dressmaking to look forward to while I was forced into servitude for my country. On top of Amy’s bridal gown, I was creatingbridesmaid dresses for myself, Natalie, and their other best friend, Hannah.
I was thankful they were traveling home with me. These past few years had been lonely. Liam left with Natalie and the kids to escape Leo over four years ago now, and until this past year, none of them had returned.
You’d think that as a third child, four years younger than my closest sibling, I would be used to being in the palace alone. Liam left for his required military service when he was nineteen and I was fourteen, going on fifteen. His departure coincided with Leo meeting Natalie and bringing her into our lives. She was only two years older than me, and we became close as I showed her the ropes of our public life. Leo was always one to get his way, and by the time Natalie was eighteen, they were married before they quickly had back-to-back babies, Amelia and Jameson. We became almost like true sisters, but I couldn’t blame her for breaking free of my cruel brother when she got the chance, even if that meant leaving me behind.
When Liam married Amy and they began returning home more frequently, it helped erase my solitary existence. Liam and I had always been the closest of the three Remington siblings, and Amy was already like a sister to me from her many years of visiting Natalie. I couldn’t be more thrilled that they were taking on a more active role. I was excited to spend more time with them.
Far above the Atlantic Ocean in our family’s private jet headed back to my gilded cage, I sank into the large, cream leather captain’s chair. The eight-seater jet was sleek and stylish. Four seats—two on each side—faced across a lacquered wooden table, the other four placed along the edge of the jet, set in a couch configuration. A door in the back led to a bedroom, and there was a kitchenette in the front. It was essentially an apartment in the sky.
Most people would kill for the luxury of their family owning a private jet. Sure, it was comfortable and convenient, but it came at a price—a price I no longer wanted to pay.
Amy drew me from my thoughts. “The reviews keep pouring in for Addy June. You must be thrilled, Lucy. All your hard work is finally paying off.”
Amy and Natalie were my biggest cheerleaders; their support meant the world to me. “Thanks, Ames. I didn’t quite expect this kind of response.”
Not one to let me wallow in self-doubt, Amy’s voice was stern. “Don’t do that.”
