Where Beauty Lies (Sophia and Ava London) Read Online Free Page B

designer’s guiding hand behind this?”
    “None,” Ava assured her.
    “Every design originated in Ava’s brain,” Sophia said. “After that, it’s sort of—”
    “A team effort—” Ava supplied.
    “With a lot of trial and error—” Sophia said.
    “Until we get something that just—” Ava looked at her sister, who finished the sentence:
    “Clicks.”
    “I guess I just saw that process in action,” the reporter said, laughing.
    She glanced at the notes in her lap, and her face got serious. “I think the real story is that somehow, in the wake of two PR disasters, either one of which could have sunk you, you continue to find yourselves on top.”
    “Not on top,” Sophia jumped in to say. “Working toward that.” Ava sensed that something was bothering Sophia but she couldn’t tell what. “And although the product launch for our makeup line with LuxeLife did not go well—”
    The reporter looked at them sympathetically. “That must have been such a nightmare for you both. Having a fight overheard by hundreds of thousands of people and then running off before the event even started.”
    Sophia nodded. “We’ve learned a lot since then. And despite that, demand for our products was so high that they relaunched our line and it is now the biggest seller in LuxeLife’s history. So in addition to what you called disasters, we have a track record of success as well.”
    “Of course.” The reporter nodded. “You also have an arrest record,” she said, looking a little sheepish. “Can we talk a little about that? You were accused of stealing money from an animal shelter?”
    “Right from the mouths of adorable puppies and kittens,” Ava answered, referring to some of the less kind news stories. “But we were set up, our arrest lasted less than two hours, and in the end we managed to raise enough money not only to keep the shelter open but to allow them to start work on an annex.”
    “That’s really impressive. You seem to have figured out the magic for turning bad publicity into good.”
    “We work very hard,” Sophia said, and Ava was struck by how serious her voice sounded.
    It must have struck the reporter, too, because she said, “I can tell. In fact, let’s talk a bit more about your work process. You said every idea originated in Ava’s brain. And then what happens?” She looked at Ava.
    Ava fluttered her hands. “I just—make it. I’ve always liked organizing things. In kindergarten the teachers called my parents, worried because I wouldn’t build anything with the blocks, I just wanted to organize them. I guess to me this is the same thing, just organizing shapes and colors into something I like.”
    “That’s an interesting take on designing. Organizing shapes and colors. Neither of you have any formal training, is that correct?”
    Sophia shook her head. Ava said, “None. When I was little my mother taught me how to sew in the formal dining room but I don’t think that counts.”
    The reporter laughed. “I know the clothes are under wraps, obviously, but do you have some sketches or drawings I could see?”
    “I don’t really do drawings,” Ava said. “I see the designs in my mind and then I just—” She whipped her hands around. “Try to get the basic idea out in fabric. From there, as we said, the pieces just evolve through trial and error.”
    “A lot of trial,” Sophia said.
    “And a lot of error,” Ava added.
    “It seems like that strategy has paid off very well for you,” the reporter said. “You’re calling the line AS. I assume for your initials.”
    “Yes, but it’s also our message,” Sophia said, and Ava loved hearing the passion in her sister’s voice. “We wanted to build a brand that was fun and exciting, easy to wear but still makes the client feel special, and lets them feel comfortable standing out. It’s an invitation. Come AS you are. Because that is our story. We’ve made mistakes, as you said, some of them publicly. We have