Free Pieces of Broken Time by Lorenz Font Page A

are set for the rest of the year.” Matthew grinned and leaned back on the chair.
    “I prepared ten sketches, and I took pictures of each style draped on mannequins. I also brought some samples of the fabrics for her inspection.” She gave Matt a nervous smile.
    “I’m positive we’ll hit our target today.”
    Within a few minutes, a woman in her thirties walked in, dressed in an impeccable two-piece beige suit. She introduced herself and small talk preceded the presentation.
    Once Jennifer got into the staging aspect, she took off explaining the designs for the next hour. Passing her sketches from Ms. Holloway to Matt, she kept a steady pace on her sales pitch concerning the materials, the intricate details of each style, and the intended market for her creations.
    Ms. Holloway seemed impressed, but instead of giving her opinion on the designs, the fashion buyer promised she’d call by the end of the week with her decision.
    Matthew requested Jennifer wait for him in the lobby. He emerged from the conference room looking smug.
    “So . . .” She followed him to the elevator. “What do you think?”
    Matthew put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, and a feeling of elation washed through her. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I think we caught a fish this big.” He gestured with his free hand, and they laughed together.
    Though Matt was technically her agent, they had gone to fashion school together. He had opted to pursue the business side of the trade while she had gone after her lifelong dream of designing ready-to-wear clothing. She intended to stretch her wings by getting into haute couture in the future, but for now, she was content with designing for a major clothing chain. So far, their venture together had been successful. Jennifer worked at her own schedule and pace while he scoured for clients.
    Back in the day, few straight men forayed into the fashion world, and many a girl had debated exactly which side of the argument Matt landed on. There had been a few occasions when Jennifer had felt sexual tension emanating from him, but he’d never acted on it. She had brushed the feelings away as her overactive imagination running wild. Even with his attractive features, she’d felt no draw toward him. She had always been fond of Matthew and never once felt threatened by his company. Jennifer considered him one of the few people she trusted.
    He promised to call her as soon as he heard from the prospective client.
    After a few minutes of banter in the parking lot, they drove their separate ways.
    Just past noon, Jennifer found Coleen sitting at a corner booth of the bustling restaurant where they’d agreed to meet.
    With a wave, Coleen jumped from her seat and gave her a warm hug. “Jenny! It’s been a long time, girlfriend! I’ve missed you so much.” Coleen squealed in her high-pitched voice, garnering stares from other diners.
    “I missed you, too. How long has it been?”
    They settled in the booth opposite each other and held hands, both grinning with enthusiasm.
    “Um . . . I think it’s been too long.” Coleen smiled and her blue eyes twinkled.
    “I know that look. What are you keeping from me?” Jennifer tugged her friend’s hand. It wouldn’t be difficult to get her best friend to sing like a canary.
    Coleen burst into fits of giggles. “I’m pregnant!” Her eyes misted and her mouth stretched from ear to ear.
    Jennifer’s jaw dropped a full three seconds before she blinked, tugged Coleen’s hand, dragging her out of her seat, and they both started jumping up and down while hugging each other.
    “Oh my God! Oh my God! Congratulations! When are you due?”
    “Around Christmas. Can you believe it?” Pure joy radiated from Coleen’s face.
    Jennifer couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. Not for Coleen’s good fortune, but for her own situation. She had been so close to having it all, only to have it all feel so far away. “Of course I can. You’re