“One swallow doth not a summer make,” Perry retorted. “Oh! Choos pour vous.”

A minute later, a pair of sleek, Jimmy Choo heels appeared in the gap under the curtain, just as Maddie pulled on her dress. “Ooh!” The shoes were gorgeous. And, mercifully, not too high.

“I know,” Perry said with far too much smugness from the other side. “You may now worship my greatness.”

Maddie, however, was staring at her reflection. The dress redefined the word risqué. She stared some more.

“Come on, aren’t you ready yet?”

Maddie stepped into the heels, and the complete effect was instant. She gasped.

In response, the curtain snapped open. “Oh my.” Perry’s gaze roamed her form. “Yes.” He tugged the dress at the back of her neck, fiddling with the fastening. “Well, I’ve always said it—Elena has an eye for this. She knew it was made for you.”

Maddie scrutinised her reflection, trying to see it the way Elena would. The front of the pale ankle-length dress was made up of crushed, sheer material, gathered in two, wide strips, forming a deep vee over her breasts, ancient Greek goddess style. Mercifully, the material’s many layers hid her nipples. Tiny gold-threaded beading circled and cinched her waist like the finest of belts. The back was cut low to the waist. Only one layer of translucent gauze floated over her legs. This highlighted the length of her legs and created a filmy effect when she moved.

“I don’t know, Perry.” Doubt coursed through her. “I feel more uncovered than covered. I’m one stiff breeze away from badly oversharing.”

Perry cocked an eyebrow. “Perhaps. But tell me you don’t feel breathtaking even so.”

Maddie’s gaze slid back over her reflection. “It’s not that. This isn’t me. It’s too…too.” Glamorous. Otherworldly. Meant for a supermodel. “I’m just a kid from outer Sydney.”

“Are you, though? Just a kid from outer Sydney? Shall we review what you have accomplished of late? Tonight is your first outing among the who’s who of publishing since your world exclusive. It’s called the Legends ball for a reason. Now, you could just find something average and hide against the wall, or you could stand up and be counted and arrive. You could look them all in the eye and make them remember who you are. Be unforgettable. This is your moment, Maddie; you don’t get it twice. So knock ’em all over.”

Maddie exhaled. Well, when he puts it like that.

Their eyes met in the mirror. He leaned forward and, eyes twinkling, whispered in her ear. “And she’ll love it.”

* * *

Maddie hadn’t meant to be fashionably late. There’d been a mix-up with the cars, and then the new one had a flat. She’d already texted Elena to explain the delay and told her not to wait for her, in case she had thought it her duty to do so. The lack of reply just made her more anxious.

She stepped out of the car, adjusting herself as subtly as she could manage, and prayed every piece of pasty and double-sided tape kept doing its job. She did her best to sweep up the steps, remembering the lessons Natalii had taught her on how to walk in couture and heels.

The photographers waiting at the door went insane.

“Ooh!”

“Hey, love, look left!”

“Look this way!”

“One more, one more!”

“Here—Natalii’s girl—look over here!”

She groaned inwardly, ignored them all, and headed inside.

The room was opulent. An orchestra played in one corner, a chandelier flowed from the ceiling, and the crowd mingled in fine suits and gowns. Maddie immediately recognised some of the big names in world publishing. These were people she’d followed for years. The head of an international magazine conglomerate wandered by, and Maddie’s eyes grew wide. However, he wasn’t the media boss she was most excited to see. It had been five long weeks after all.

“Oh. My. God,” Felicity said, appearing at her side. “I didn’t believe him.”

Maddie turned to find Perry smirking and Felicity—looking elegant in a forest-green gown, her blonde hair elaborately piled high—eying her in shock.

“Believe what?” Maddie snatched a passing glass of juice off a tray.

“Nothing,” Felicity said in a mumble. “Forget it.”

Perry’s eyes danced with mirth. “I gave her a heads-up about how you’d look.”

Maddie gave an embarrassed laugh. “Ah, right. Thanks. I think.”

A flash of slicked, jet-black hair and pale skin caught Maddie’s eye, and all other thoughts emptied from her mind. “Oh.” Her voice was a reverent whisper. She turned and took in the full effect. “Wow.”

Elena was making her way towards them, nodding to various luminaries as she went, looking a vision in deep violet, her arms and shoulders bare, the dress caressing her every curve. Lucky dress.

It was only when Felicity nodded, seemingly without awareness she had, that Maddie realised she’d even made her breathy comment out loud.

Elena was twenty feet from them before she finally looked over and caught sight of Maddie. Her step slowed briefly before she continued. Cool, blue eyes raked her from hem to the top of her hair. Maddie felt as laid bare as she had the last time she’d seen her.

“Perry,” Elena said, giving him an air kiss. She turned and nodded. “Felicity.”

Her chief of staff nodded stiffly back.

Elena’s eyes fixed on Maddie and darkened. She stepped closer. “And Madeleine,” she said, tone pure socialite, “how nice to see you again”. Elena leaned in for an air kiss. The faintest dusting of lips made contact before she pulled back.

Maddie shivered at the touch. “You too.”

“How lovely you look in Alberta Ferretti.”

“Thanks.” Maddie tried not to get derailed as that all-seeing gaze studied her barely covered breasts, then slid higher, a small smile curling her lips.

“Perry.” Elena turned. “You’ve outdone yourself. Felicity? Where’s that new PA?”

“She’s coming later. She had to—”

“I don’t care.” She waved off the excuse. “I need a wine. White. And find me a vintage older than you are. I am serious. Perry, Samuel from The SMH’s Street Style page wanted to hear your views on the deconstruction of fashion minimalism or some such thing. Go and indulge him. Remind him that Style’s is the only view on any fashion topic that counts.”

Surprise crossed his face at the dismissal, but he merely nodded. Felicity had already gone—not even bothering to argue that she was not a PA. Maybe that was the difference between Maddie and Felicity. Only one of them had ever said no to Elena.

Now alone with the woman, Maddie felt awkward and only too aware of the lack of space between them. “Hey.”

Elena gave her an indifferent look, as though she hadn’t just orchestrated their time alone. “Are you enjoying yourself, Madeleine?”

“I just got here. But it’s been impressive so far.” Her gaze shifted to Elena’s dress. Very impressive.

“I see. And did you wear that just to get a rise out of everyone?” Elena’s tone was taunting.

“Not everyone.” Just you.