introduced them at a concert to raise money for the nation’s largest hunger relief organization. Teagan had been there because Riley O’Brien & Co.’s charitable foundation was one of the event sponsors, while Ava Grace had performed at the concert along with several other country and rock musicians.
“The meeting wasn’t bad,” Amelia said finally. “Quinn was pleasant. Nice, even.”
Teagan snorted. “First of all, if that were true, you’d be damning him with faint praise,” she retorted. “Second, my brother is a lot of things, but ‘nice’ is not an adjective most women use to describe him.”
“How do most women describe him?” Amelia asked, eager to gain some insight into Quinn from such a reliable source.
Teagan made a sound of disgust. “Hot.” Her red lips twisted. “But I think ‘hardheaded’ is a better adjective. Although ‘clueless’ also works.”
Amelia laughed. “Maybe you’re right. He’s still blissfully unaware of our real plans.”
“So he still has no idea you’re going to reimagine our women’s jeans, in addition to creating some new styles and expanding the product line?”
“No, we only talked about accessories,” Amelia confirmed. “He noticed my boots right away, and I think they convinced him that I was up to the challenge.”
“I knew they would. He likes shoes even more than I do, and I’m a shoe whore.”
She looked down at Teagan’s heels. “Yes, you are,” she agreed with a laugh.
The red suede peep-toes were a perfect complement to Teagan’s wrap dress, which clung to her considerable curves. “That’s a fabulous dress, by the way. You remind me of a 1940s pinup.”
Teagan smoothed a hand over her dark, wavy hair. “I always wear dresses or skirts to work.” She sighed wistfully. “I would love to wear jeans, but I can’t wear the competition to the office. Can you imagine? It would be like cursing during Mass. And I refuse to wear Rileys. I hate the way they fit.”
Amelia nodded. “Me, too. They’re too long for me, and I have to go up a couple of sizes for them to fit my butt, whichmakes the waist too loose. Even Ava Grace looks bad in them.”
“And they’re so uncomfortable in the crotch.”
Amelia snickered. “The dreaded camel toe.”
“Ugh,” Teagan groaned. “If you can find a way to design a pair of jeans that prevent camel toe, you’ll be doing the whole world a great service.”
Teagan shifted her red Gucci bag to her other shoulder and stopped in front of a storefront topped with a bright yellow awning. “This is it,” she announced, ushering Amelia through the door.
Soon after the hostess seated them in a booth near the window, their server came by to take their drink order. Amelia was surprised when Teagan ordered a dirty martini.
“I know it’s early, but talking with Quinn about the women’s division always drives me to drink,” Teagan noted with a scowl. “The men in my family are so stubborn. I really thought things would change once Quinn stepped in to run the company when my dad got sick, but he hasn’t done anything to help the women’s division. It’s infuriating.”
The server delivered the drinks to their table, and Teagan took a moment to reduce him to a quivering mass of hormones with some over-the-top flirting. When she finished with him and the poor guy had stumbled away, she raised her martini.
“To a successful redesign,” she toasted.
When Amelia didn’t raise her glass, Teagan frowned. Sighing loudly, she returned her cocktail to the table with a sharp click.
“I know you feel guilty about going behind Quinn’s back,” Teagan acknowledged. “But he needs to realize how important the women’s division really is.”
“I do feel guilty. I’m not a naturally deceitful person.”
“You just need a little practice.”
Amelia shook her head in exasperation. While Teagan didn’t seem to have any hesitation about working behind her older brother’s back, Amelia continued