Catwalk. Part 10

"So, tell me, Autumn." Paige just keeps it going. "What got you into this kind of work? And can you tell us about what a creative director does?"

"Sure. I actually got my degree in design and I really wanted to be a designer," Autumn admits. "And maybe someday I will. But I was lucky to join Dylan's team a few years ago when he was just starting up. I could tell he was brilliant and far more ready for this than I was. So I signed on as an a.s.sistant and worked my way up to this position. Let's see...a creative director actually oversees a lot of things, including all forms of publicity and marketing-from arranging photo shoots to running print ads to planning our actual fas.h.i.+on shows and-"

"h.e.l.lo, ladies." I fan my camera around to catch a sandy-haired guy coming into the room. "Sorry to be late."

"And this is Dylan Marceau," Autumn announces.

"I want to accommodate your show," he says, "but I can only give you about fifteen minutes."

Now Dylan, who actually seems quite young, takes Autumn's chair and Paige wastes no time as she jumps in with her regular questions. But Dylan's responses are much friendlier than I expected. This guy isn't snooty at all. In fact, it could be my imagination, but I think he likes my sister. Their conversation gets snappy and witty and pretty lively.

And that's when I realize I'm over my head because we really need two cameras to properly catch a conversation like this. Still I back up, open up the lens, and just do my best to keep up. And like JJ said, I just pretend I'm watching them chat and after awhile, it's like I get into this rhythm and I'm hopeful that maybe, just maybe, it will work.

"Sorry to cut this short," Dylan finally tells Paige. Although I think it's been longer than his originally promised fifteen minutes-in fact, according to my camcorder it's been more than fifty-four minutes. "But I'm totally buried today. I decided to do some last-minute changes and, well, I'm sure you can imagine what it's like." He reaches out to shake Paige's hand. "But I did enjoy our time together."

"So did I," Paige a.s.sures him. "And I totally appreciate you taking time out of your busy day. I didn't mention it earlier because I didn't want to sound too schmoozy, but I've been a fan of yours for a while and it was an incredible honor to actually meet you."

"Maybe when Fas.h.i.+on Week is over we can do this again," he tells her. "With our without your camera crew."

Paige's eyes light up. "Absolutely!"

"And if you'd like to talk to anyone else," he says as he pauses by the door, "maybe Autumn can help. There are a few models just hanging around, killing time between fittings. You might be able to catch one of them for a few words about what that particular angle of fas.h.i.+on is like."

"That'd be great. Thanks again!" He exits and Paige turns back to Autumn. "Do you think we could round up a model or two?"

"Certainly," Autumn tells her. "Let me call Jill in fitting to see if there's someone she can send our way."

I use this opportunity to check my camera's batteries and memory card and to make sure I'm ready to keep shooting if we get the chance. And the next thing I know a tall, beautiful young woman with dark curly hair and skin the color of a creamy latte comes in. "Hi, I'm Taylor Mitch.e.l.l," she says. "Jill asked me to stop by."

"Taylor Mitch.e.l.l." Paige stands and extends her hand. "It's such an honor to meet you. I am such a fan."

Taylor laughs and it's a hearty, genuine-sounding laugh. "Seriously?" she asks. "How do you even know who I am?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised at what I know about fas.h.i.+on."

I'd like to ditto that, but I'm too busy trying to get some good footage of Taylor. She is really stunning and yet she seems real too-full of life.

"For starters, I know that you're about the same age as I am," Paige continues. "And that you started modeling professionally under the supervision of Katherine Carter, former model and ex-editor-in-chief of Couture Couture magazine." magazine."

"Wow, you really do your homework." Taylor looks impressed.

"And I know that you're Dylan Marceau's favorite model, but I thought I heard you were a free agent, so to speak. Aren't you modeling for a number of designers now?"

"Yes, but I still try to give Dylan some of my time too. He's a great guy-and a brilliant designer."

"I couldn't agree more. I predict Dylan will be leading the way in design before long-maybe even next season. But, Taylor, it seems you've actually had something to do with Dylan's recent success."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Taylor frowns slightly now, like she's a little confused. "I'm sorry...but did you say who you were exactly?"

I can't help but laugh. Paige actually did did forget to introduce herself. This is a first for my smooth sister! forget to introduce herself. This is a first for my smooth sister!

"I'm sorry," Paige quickly recovers. "I'm Paige Forrester from On the Runway On the Runway, and the girl behind the camera is my sister, Erin. Our camera crew got stuck in a Midwest blizzard."

Taylor laughs. "Oh, good. I thought maybe you were from a local high school, trying to get something for your school's website. Not that I wouldn't talk to them, but this is a pretty busy time for everyone."

Paige just smiles. "Yes, we're usually a bit more professional than this, but we didn't want to miss the chance to meet Dylan."

"So you're the girls who are staying at our house next week?" Taylor continues with interest.

"Yes, if that's okay. Apparently our boss, Helen Hudson, and your mom are friends."

"Absolutely. It'll be fun. Eliza is acting like we're having a slumber party."

"Eliza?"

"My roommate."

"And she's a model too, right?"

Taylor nods, but I suspect by the look in her eyes that she's not too sure about this roommate. Or maybe she's just not sure the girl is model material. I'm thinking maybe spending a night at their place might provide some interesting stories after all.

Paige continues to ask Taylor fas.h.i.+on and modeling questions and it seems like the two of them are really hitting it off. In fact, before we're done, it's as if the table has been turned and suddenly Taylor is interviewing Paige. She's curious as to how Paige got her start in TV and what kind of training she's had. Fortunately, Paige just goes with the flow. And I'm glad because I think it's going to make for some good material for our show.

"Well, this has been fun," Taylor finally says, "but I really need to get over to the Ralph Lauren studio now. They're doing some fittings today too."

"I wish we could go with you," Paige says longingly. "We tried to set up an interview over there, but they were just too busy."

"I'm not surprised." Taylor smiles. "But hopefully you can make it to his show. It's going to be good."

"We're working on it," Fran says from where she's sitting in a corner reading a magazine, and we all look her way. "But so far it sounds like they're full."

"Maybe I could help," Taylor offers. "Not that I have some magic touch, but I am am friends with the guy in charge of seating." She chuckles as she reaches for her bag. "A few of my friends are nagging me for tickets." friends with the guy in charge of seating." She chuckles as she reaches for her bag. "A few of my friends are nagging me for tickets."

"Oh, if you could help us out, we'd really appreciate it." Paige hands Taylor her business card.

"In fact..." Taylor gets a thoughtful look across her brow. "Maybe we could exchange favors."

"What do you have in mind?"

"If I can get you into the Ralph Lauren show...how about if you interview a designer friend of mine in return, to get her some exposure?"

"Of course," Paige agrees. "We'd love to interview your friend."

"Great!" Taylor grins. "I'll get back to you on the Ralph Lauren tickets." Then she tells us all good-bye and leaves.

"Wow." Paige sits down and sighs. "That was awesome. This has been such a productive day." She suddenly looks at me with concern. "You did get all that, didn't you, Erin?"

"I did the best I could. I suppose it'll be up to the editors to decide whether it makes it on the show or not."

And as we pack up to go, I shoot up a quick prayer-okay, so maybe it's a backward sort of prayer. I wonder if it's possible to pray in reverse. Anyway, I ask G.o.d to bless the filming that just took place and to hopefully make it usable for our show.

Chapter 12.

"Did it seem like Dylan was into me?" Paige asks later that evening when we're all just cras.h.i.+ng in our pajamas in the hotel suite. asks later that evening when we're all just cras.h.i.+ng in our pajamas in the hotel suite.

"I think he's just friendly like that," Fran says as she flips through the channels on the TV.

Paige looks unconvinced. "I don't know...usually I have pretty good instincts about guys. It seemed like he was into me."

"It kind of did to me too," I admit.

Just then her phone rings and I can tell by the tone of Paige's voice that it's Benjamin on the other end. She starts out very cool and formal and then suddenly she's telling him about Dylan and how great the interview went and how she thinks Dylan is "into her."

Fran and I exchange glances, but Paige seems totally oblivious to the way she sounds as she rambles on and on about Dylan and his studio, but eventually she switches over to talking about the interview with Taylor Mitch.e.l.l. "And she seems like she's looking forward to having us stay in their apartment." She pauses to listen and probably catch her breath. "Well, yeah, she's hot. Maybe even better-looking in person than in print. I don't know, Benjamin. I mean it's not like we're BFFs or anything." She pauses. "Fine." Her voice is crisp now. "I'll ask her." And then the conversation winds down and Paige snaps her phone closed.

"Can you believe that?" she says to us.

"What?" I ask as I flip through the photography magazine I've been studying.

"Benjamin wants me to arrange for him to meet Taylor Mitch.e.l.l."

I can't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Obviously, you couldn't hear yourself talking to him." I look over to Fran, but she's engrossed in a new reality TV show.

"What do you mean?" Paige demands.

"You were going on and on about Dylan, saying how you thought he was into you and it sounded more like you were crus.h.i.+ng on Dylan. I'm sure Benjamin was just jealous."

Now Paige smiles...but it's a catty smile. "You think?"

"Oh, I don't know." I stand and stretch. "Maybe Benjamin really does want to meet Taylor. I mean, the girl is stunning."

Now Paige frowns and I think my work here is done. "Good night," I say as I head off to bed.

The next day, Sunday, is officially our day off. We all sleep in until almost noon and then agree to do as we like with the remainder of the day and to reconvene for dinner in the hotel restaurant at six. Fran wants to make it an early evening so we can be fresh in the morning. "The camera crew will meet us at Marc Jacobs at nine o'clock sharp, and I want the whole thing to go as smoothly as yesterday-only with the full crew. This is a big opportunity and there's no room for error."

Paige tries to talk me into going shopping with her, but I beg out. "I already bought a ticket online for the MoMA," I explain. "I'm going to take in the film exhibits and watch some trailers and things. But you're welcome to come with me. It's really an amazing-"

"No thanks."

"I have an idea," Fran tells Paige. "Why don't we go to the fas.h.i.+on museum at FIT?"

Paige seems interested and I take this as my cue to make a getaway. I feel a little bit guilty bailing on my sister like that, but I can only handle so much of her fas.h.i.+on obsession. Although I must admit the fas.h.i.+on museum might be interesting...on another day.

After a couple of hours of film indulgence, I take a break and get a soda at the cafe, taking a moment to turn on my phone. As I listen to a voicemail from Mom, returning my call to her this morning with a sweet message about how she and Jon are driving to Balboa today but that she'd rather be with her two girls, I feel oddly homesick. The next message is from Blake, just checking in to see how it's going. We talked yesterday, but I decide to give him a call just the same.

"Hey," he says cheerfully. "I was just thinking about you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I just got out of church and I'm sitting in my car, still in the parking lot, and wondering what I'm going to do with myself for the day. I was wis.h.i.+ng you were here so we could hang out together. It's a gorgeous day."

"Lucky you," I tell him. "It's cold and cloudy in New York."

"I'd gladly put up with rain, sleet, and snow just to be there with you."

"Kind of like a mailman, eh?"

He chuckles. "Yes, I'm that faithful sort. You can count on me."

"Did you see Mollie at church?" I'm not even sure why I ask this; I guess I'm just curious.

"No. In fact, she and Tony weren't at the fellows.h.i.+p last night either."

"Oh."

"So, where are you right now?" he asks.

I tell him about MoMA and he acts like he's totally jealous. Then I tell him about how Paige thinks Dylan Marceau is into her and how Benjamin wants to meet Taylor Mitch.e.l.l. We talk and laugh for about half an hour and by the time we hang up, I don't feel homesick anymore. I even decide to give Mollie a call and am slightly taken aback when she answers.

"Hey, Mollie," I say cheerfully.

"Erin?" She sounds almost happy, like she's glad I called-and that surprises me.

"Yeah. How are you? I was thinking about you and decided to see what's up."

"Not much. I kind of slept in this morning...missed church. What's up?"

"Well, it's been awhile since we talked."

"Yeah...Where are you?"

So I tell her about MoMA and the cool film exhibits I've been enjoying.

"You're in New York?"

"Remember, I told you awhile back that we were doing Fas.h.i.+on Week in early February."

"I guess. But the date seemed so far out there...and now New York seems far away..." Her voice trails off.