Free Girls We Love by J. Minter Page A

sorry.”
    â€œUgh, it’s fine, darling, but really, who’s repping you? Clearly they don’t know the first rule of PR: All news is good news.” Liesel leaned back against the lowdesert-modern couch and crossed her long, almost boyishly thin legs. She was wearing what had basically become her work uniform since she started interning at DeeDee Rakoff during the fall semester: a hounds-tooth blazer with the collar turned up, black capri pants, and a white blouse. It made her feel very businesslike, even when she knew it was time to turn the businesslike off. “SBB, I’m so glad we managed to fit this in. Such a treat!”
    â€œI know,” SBB said and clasped Leisel’s hand, just as the waitress appeared. SBB instinctively pulled at her wig, so that strands of black hair fell across her cheekbones, and Liesel, still holding her hand, leaned forward and ordered a strawberry margarita.
    â€œAre you over twenty-one?” the waitress asked. She said it in a demanding way, but Liesel could tell she didn’t really want to ask.
    Liesel smiled confidently. “Twenty-two, actually.” She made a motion like she was reaching for her wallet. “Do you want to see my ID?” she asked in a voice that implied that that would just waste both of their time.
    â€œNo, that’s okay,” the waitress said. “I trust you. You want a refill?” she added in SBB’s direction, and SBB nodded.
    When the waitress was gone, SBB turned to Liesel and said, “Being carded is so refreshing.”
    â€œI know! Ever since I’ve signed up with DeeDee, it’slike no one even questions me anymore. Which is understandable on the one hand, and creepy on the other.”
    SBB nodded in agreement.
    â€œSo, did you see Philippa at the party?” Liesel went on.
    â€œPhilippa Frady?” SBB said. “From elementary school? No … she was there? That sucks… I would have liked to see her again.”
    â€œYeah, and get this… she’s a lesbian now.”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWow … huh,” SBB said with a shrug. “Well, it was bound to happen. Her parents are so square. She must have a really deep psychic need to do crazy rebellious things that make her parents unhappy.”
    Liesel laughed throatily. “Yes, well, don’t we all.”
    â€œSo
anyway
, tell me about this job,” SBB said, grabbing for Liesel’s hand again. “I hear DeeDee is a total freak.”
    â€œShe’s an amazing businesswoman and I admire her tons,” Liesel said, switching into her tone of official enthusiasm. “She’s a total control freak, and you know, there was that whole throwing her Blackberry at her assistant thing.
Entre nous
, that girl got a settlement she so did not deserve. But I love the job. You get to talk to
everybody
, and for once”—Liesel took her margarita from the waitress, who disappeared again once she haddelivered their drinks—“people admire me for being a loud-mouthed bitch.”
    â€œHmmm… ” SBB cocked her head and thoughtfully sucked the last chunks of frozen margarita out of the bottom of her glass. “Should I switch to DeeDee’s firm?”
    â€œOh my God,
yes
,” Liesel said. “Let me talk to some people. But that would just be fantastic, and we could totally redo your image… ”
    â€œI was thinking maybe like Sienna Miller? That’s kind of the direction I’d like to go in…,” SBB said, touching the corners of her sunglasses as though she were imagining herself on the red carpet.
    â€œWe
love
Sienna,” Liesel said, rolling her eyes back for emphasis. “Just love her. But you could be bigger.”
    â€œI think this next role could really send me in that direction,” SBB said excitedly. “I can’t really tell you anything about it, because of my contract, but it’s a Ric Rodrickson