“Yes,” Carrie, the more excitable one, confirmed, her head bobbing so much her green side bangs were bouncing on her forehead. “We want to work with someone to create an entire new line aimed at Gen Z-ers. We want something that runs the gamut, from hand towels, to wallpapers, to light fixtures.” Yazmin nodded in agreement, while I tried hard not to start jumping up and down and yelling pick me. “When we looked through your Bookish Boudoir portfolio and saw everything you do with those tiny budgets, we were floored.” I preened on the inside, because I really could stretch a fucking dollar to the max. “Those signature pieces you create from upcycled furniture,” Carrie exclaimed. “It’s so clever and environmentally friendly.” She broke into applause again and I almost joined her.

“Thank you for saying that,” I finally managed, hoping my nerves didn’t get the best of me. “I am very intentional about reusing and refreshing pieces that the clients already own. I think there is a lot of value in giving people options.” Both women nodded, like I was preaching to the choir.

“We could see that. You have a lot of vision, Alba.” Yazmin, who so far had been more reserved, was smiling wide. “We knew you are who we were looking for.”

Oh my God. This was really happening. Say something, dummy.

“Are those fabric designs your own?”

“They are.” I nodded, completely overwhelmed, but determined to make the most of this opportunity, even if my heart was literally trying to come up my throat. “I started doing those when a client wanted a noir-themed bedroom. It was meant to be for a comforter, but she loved it so much we ended up upholstering a loveseat instead.” The silhouettes of dames in their Mary Janes smoking cigarettes and private dicks in fedoras were such a hit that I’d ended up selling it in my merch shop on cushions.

“I love that.” Carrie was practically wiggling from excitement. “We’d love for you to come up with a proposal for a sample line, just five or six items we could show to our executives.”

I jumped on that without a second’s hesitation. “Of course! I’d love to.” This was the exact kind of opportunity I hoped the show would bring. “I’ve had the idea of a design brand that does bookish-themed home décor. A line for rom-com lovers, another for sci-fi/fantasy readers, cozy mysteries...”

“That’s perfect!” Carrie clapped.

“I could create a few prototypes for you that fit with Smithson-Napa’s style. Maybe bedding, some bedroom accessory pieces?”

“And the wallpaper,” Yazmin requested.

“I could definitely do that.” Did not need to ask me twice. “When do you need it by?” When they both winced and stealthily looked at Kayla, dread sank through my body, taking down with it every ounce of elation of the last few minutes.