The next morning, the meeting was at nine, just like Damien had planned. Damien walked into the glass conference room at Crew Royale with Silveria next to him, and Felix a few steps behind with a stack of folders.
"Try to look less scared," Damien said under his breath.
"I'm not scared."
"You're holding your sketchbook like a shield."
She looked down. She was. She loosened her grip and he almost smiled.
The room was already full. Adriana sat at the head of the table in a sharp red jacket. Priya, the tailor, was fixing a sleeve on a dress form in the corner. And next to Adriana sat a man Silveria had never seen before. He was tall, with warm brown eyes and a very easy smile. He stood up the second she came in.
"You must be Mrs. Crew," he said. "Julian Hale. I've been dying to meet the person behind the spring sketches."
"Julian is a buyer," Adriana explained. "He's looking at partnering with us for the new line."
