We enter a conference room where three other people already sit. “Skye, I’d like you to meet Shaylie Morse, Brian Kent, and Louisa Maine. Shaylie and Brian are members of my social media marketing team, and Louisa is interning with us. She’s a student at Columbia.”
“Great to meet you all,” I say, trying my hardest not to stammer.
“Come, sit.” Eugenie gestures. “We have tons to talk about.”
I sit down, resisting the urge to squirm against Braden’s butt plug.
“Shaylie,” Eugenie says, “why don’t you outline our plan for Skye?”
Shaylie, a pretty redhead who wears heart-shaped glasses—yes, I’m serious—fires up her laptop, and an image appears from the projector onto the white dry-erase board. “Skye, we’re excited to have you on board for several reasons. First, you know the business, having worked with Addison Ames. Second, your skill as a photographer is excellent, and your copy is always intriguing as well. And third—”
She doesn’t have to say it. I know already.
“The fact that you’re dating Braden Black has made you an instant celebrity.”
Of course it has.
My skill as a photographer and copywriter means nothing next to my affiliation with Braden.
I smile, trying not to show my disappointment.
Why should I be disappointed, anyway? I already knew this.
“You have a natural beauty,” Shaylie continues. “You’re approachable.”
In other words, I’m average.
I keep the smile pasted on my face.
“You have a lovely figure, as well. You’re not supermodel thin—”
Gee. Thanks for pointing that out.
“But you’ll look good in many different kinds of fashions.”
I must seem confused, because she stops.
“Do you have a question, Skye?”
I clear my throat. “I do. You’re a cosmetics company. Why would the way I look in clothing have anything to do with my posts? Aren’t you concerned with what my makeup looks like?”
She laughs lightly. Is she laughing at me? I’m not sure.
“Fashion is related to all marketing,” Shaylie says, her tone only slightly condescending. “The better you look in all areas, the more the masses will rely on you for advice.”
Am I supposed to know that? I’m a photographer, not a marketing expert.
But I need to be. I need to be a marketing expert if I’m going to be an influencer. Influencing is marketing.
I almost hear those words in Braden’s voice, as if he planted them in my head.
Again, I resist squirming against the jewel in my ass.
I worked with Addie for more than a year. She was always dressed to the nines. At the time, I figured she wore expensive clothing because she was rich and could afford it. That was probably part of the case, but perhaps she dressed fashionably for her business as well.
How many times have I posted while dressed in old jeans and a tank? Granted, I never posted if I looked like crap, but still…
Big problem, though. I can’t afford the kinds of clothes Addie wears. Which is not apparent from the clothes I’m currently wearing.
Shaylie continues, “We’re looking for a way to make our products more accessible to the common person.”
Common person. Not a hotel heiress. A regular working girl.
Skye Manning, average working girl.
Great.
“We’ve devised a campaign for you to introduce and promote our new line of Susanne Cosmetics. It will be called Susie Girl by Susanne, and the products will be available in pharmacies and big-box stores like Walmart and Target.”
“But—”
“This is a wonderful opportunity, Skye,” Eugenie interrupts. “We’re making our brand available to the masses, and we think you’re just the face for this launch.”
“I’m honored,” I say, hoping I sound sincere, “but you said my posts for the Cherry Russet lip stain were successful.”
“And they were. Very successful. We’re happy to have you continue with them, but you stand to make a lot more money with this new opportunity. We have other ways to promote our luxury line.”
Other ways. Addison Ames.
That’s why she was here.
A lump fills my throat. What did I expect? I’m a nobody.
“This is something you can do that no one else can,” Shaylie goes on. “You’re a fresh face. And you’re the girlfriend of our country’s most famous blue-collar billionaire, a man who personifies the American dream. That’s what this Instagram campaign is about. Anyone can find and afford Susanne Cosmetics.”
Making the American dream all about cosmetics? That’s a new one. What will Braden think?
“That’s the general idea. I’ll turn it over to Brian now, and he’ll explain our compensation plan.”
Brian, a young man with a receding blond hairline and dark-blue eyes, begins his presentation on the projector.
“The Susie line has been in the works for a couple of years,” he begins. “Originally, we were planning a huge magazine ad and television ad launch with limited social media advertising”—he smiles—“and then you came along.”
I widen my eyes.
“Does that surprise you?” he asks.
“Of course it does.”
“We have a lot of confidence in you, Skye,” Brian says. “You have the look of America’s sweetheart.”