by India Lee
“I’ll see you girls in Vegas,” Tyler said, leaning in to give Azura and Gemma kisses goodbye. He reached down to help Sophie to her feet, pulling her tired body into his arms and walking her back out of the studio. Just when they were almost out of view, Tyler went in for a big kiss. Gemma could hear Sophie’s laugh echo as they walked out. She had forced herself to watch the entire exchange as a test. Considering the genuine little smile on her face, she would say that she passed. As far as she could tell, she was fine with Tyler. And Sophie. Interesting.
“So,” Azura said after Tyler and Sophie were officially gone. She lowered her voice. “We’re finally alone.” Gemma laughed, knowing Azura mustered up everything in her being to sound as predatory as possible.
“What?” she said.
“Girl, don’t ‘what’ me. We have like, a thousand things to talk about.”
“Is one to one-thousand all questions about Damian?”
“No,” Azura said with defiance. “Question one would be, ‘So you and Tyler Chase are totally cool?’ Question two through nine-hundred and ninety-nine would be, ‘What’s going on with you and Damian?’ And question one-thousand is, ‘How thirsty is that bitch, Clara?’”
Gemma laughed. “Alright, well, the answer one would be, ‘guess so.’ The answer to two through nine-hundred and ninety-nine would be, ‘no clue,’ and the answer to three, I guess, would be, ‘super-thirsty.’”
“Some women, right?” Azura shook her head. “Full disclosure, I may have thrown myself at Damian when we first met, but I had just a little more dignity than that bitch.”
“You did?” Gemma’s mouth dropped in amusement. “You were into him at some point?”
“I was friends with Aubrey and coming off a bad breakup and I just wanted to be with a nice boy for once, you know what I mean? I don’t know that I was really into him like that.”
“But you guys never ended up doing anything?”
“Nah.”
“Was he single at the time?” Gemma asked. “Because even as a straight girl, I’m having trouble understanding how anyone could turn you down.”
“He was technically, physically single,” Azura said. “But after getting to know him, I’m pretty sure he’s been mentally dating you this whole time.”
“Really.” Gemma’s eyes widened. She wasn’t sure she ever got that vibe from him. They had always been close friends and she couldn’t deny the fact that Damian loved and cared for her a great deal – but like Azura said, he was just a good guy. He had always been that way. Gemma didn’t expect anything less from him. “Why do you say that?”
“He may have dated other women since he dated you, but he doesn’t talk about any of them the way he talks about you. Someone mentions your name and he’s suddenly all like shiny anime eyes, I swear.”
“Then why have we started out so weird? I feel like with our history it should have just been easy to jump back in if we ever decided to be romantically involved again, and yet it’s just been so shaky and strange. I don’t know how to act around him and I kind of hate that.”
“That happens when you put two careful and responsible people together,” Azura said. “I mean I don’t know for sure because as a person who isn’t careful or responsible, I will never be a part of that kind of relationship. But let me see if I can think of something similar,” Azura said, holding up her hand. “Call me selfish but I gotta relate this to me or I don’t understand shit.”
“That’s fine,” Gemma laughed.
“Okay, I got this friend. He and I go way, way back. Way back like middle school shit. His name’s Eugene – can you believe it? We just mostly called him Gene. Anyway. We went to school together back in Cali and if you think Damian Evans is good at resisting me, you haven’t met this boy. He’s a shy guy so shit’s already tough there and he’s only liked me twice in my life – once when we were thirteen, the second time is hopefully now. Anyway, he just got divorced – he got married like two years ago and I skipped the wedding and cried my face off and didn’t come out of my house for days because I’ve liked him my whole damn life. And you know what, I ended up writing this entire album – my current one – about him.” Azura smiled as she watched the ends of Gemma’s lips curve. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, the album’s called Ancient History because that was my way of saying goodbye to whatever chance we ever had of getting together – and now he’s divorced! Like, we have a chance again! I thought I made peace with it and here I am doing this dance again. Now, you know me, I’m full on crazy. But Eugene knew me when I wasn’t. He knew me as that good little girl he went to church with. And so when I’m around him, I feel like that good little girl again and I think too much instead of making a move. And I know that man likes me right now, but he won’t make a move. So now we’re just kind of sitting there. Nobody doing shit, nobody getting shit.”
“So you’re saying Damian’s Eugene in this story?”
“No, Damian’s me in this story,” Azura clarified. “He’s the one who wants to be that friend you’ve always had because he knows how much you need that side of him. But at the same time, he wants to throw you up against a wall and have his way with you. You know?”
“Oh my God, Azura,” Gemma blushed.
“I’m serious! But anyway, you two are already doing better than me and Eugene since you kissed each other and all. And since you dated when you two were younger, so congrats on getting that far.”
“So what do I do then?” Gemma asked. “It’s not like I don’t want him to… you know… throw me up against a wall. But after him rejecting me that first time, then me purposely blueballing him that second time, then accidentally blueballing him the third time, I kind of don’t know what the next step is?”
“I mean,” Azura sighed. “Can’t you guys just do it? You two know you like each other. Can’t you two just get it on already? I feel like that’ll clear everyone’s minds up and you can take it from there.”
“I just feel like he’s resisting me now. All I’ve wanted was to see him again since everything happened and just make sure we’re okay and then finally get some time alone together. Quality, non-intoxicated time.”
“Girl, he’s so used to resisting you that he’s probably still having trouble turning it off right now,” Azura laughed. “If resisting you was a sport, he’d have more championship rings than New York would know what to do with.”
“That doesn’t really help me feel better.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” she smiled, shaking her head at her own joke. “I’m just saying one of you needs to step it up, and it’s usually the one who has a little more crazy in them. In my case with Eugene, it’s gonna have to be me, I know it. With the two of you, I’m thinking it’s gotta be you, Gem.”
Gemma raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. What, you think it’s gonna be him? The reason you end up in all these little embarrassing, awkward situations is because you keep resisting the crazy and pushing it all down when it’s trying to get out. Try letting go a little and see what happens.”
“I tried that the night I showed up at his hotel room.”
“I said a little. Hell, the fact that you need to hear me of all people say it – you need some balance, girl. You unleash a little crazy at a time. When you let it all out at once, of course you’re gonna run into some trouble. Take it a step at a time. Understand me?” Azura asked, arms crossed as she flashed Gemma a stern look. “Hm?”
“Yes,” Gemma lied. “I think I get it.”
AZURA’S VEGAS CONCERT SOLD OUT
The Pop Source
August 16th
Fans were left crying when they learned that they wouldn’t be catching Azura’s special event concert tonight in Las Vegas. The pop star tweeted, “So sad I can’t fit you all in :’( Touring soon, catch me then.”
Recently Oscar-nominated singer turned actor will be opening for Azura tonight and early reports of Gemma Hunter designing for the two were confirmed. Hunter’s new
career has faced doubt from both the fashion and pop music world, but our reporters say there’s no reason for it. The Pop Source has had the fortune of spotting some recent pieces at New York events as well as a sneak peek into Azura’s Vegas wardrobe. “They’re actually beautifully designed,” says one of our reporters. “She’s cutting-edge, yet refined.”
Stay tuned to our blog for more information!
FALL FASHION WEEK IS COMING!
June Magazine
August 21st
The days are getting a little shorter and the weather’s getting a little colder but that just means that Bryant Park is gearing up for New York’s annual Fall Fashion Week! Once those tents go up, we know it’s time for us to start scheduling in all our favorite designers – make sure to keep a lookout for the three newcomers we featured in our September issue!
I’m about to board the plane. Can’t wait to see you.
Gemma had finally received a text back from Damian as she was struggling to pull Azura and her famous curves out of her fitted leather dress so she could get into her outfit for her opening number.
“Who is it? Is it him? Is he coming?” Azura asked as her assistants flew around her, unzipping her and styling her as Gemma finally succeeded in getting her out of the dress.
“Yes, it’s him, he’s flying in now,” Gemma said, trying not to sound too excited. Despite not hearing from him in over a week, she had managed to gather just enough courage to send one last text asking if he’d make it to the concert, or at the very least, to Azura’s after party.
“Did he say why he’s been M.I.A. until now?”
“I’ll ask him when he gets here,” Gemma said, pulling at the corset strings of Azura’s opening outfit. “We have more important things to deal with right now.” Gemma had prepared a mesh jumpsuit with slouchy pants legs and a fitted sleeveless top. A corseted leather vest tied the whole thing together. She was especially proud of the piece as she watched Azura’s handlers marvel over it from afar.
“I invited Eugene to the concert,” Azura suddenly blurted as if she’d been holding it in. She clenched her teeth and shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know if he’s here or not. He said he would try to make the drive if he got out of work in time but that was the last I heard.”
Gemma gasped with mock scandal, finishing up her fitting of the outfit to give Azura a swift smack on the behind. “Then what are you waiting for? Finish this thing up so you can get to your man,” she said playfully.
“Oh, you’re telling me what to do now?”
“Yes.”
Azura wiggled her eyebrows to give an overtly suggestive look. “I like that,” she purred. Gemma snorted as Azura winked, marching out onto stage to the band and her screaming fans.
~
Azura’s hotel suite was bigger than Gemma’s Chelsea apartment.
Thin ivory fabric draped down from the gilded ceilings, creating a canopy over their heads. In the common space was a u-shaped, tufted leather couch that could comfortably seat a dozen or so people. Elevated slightly above the rest of the common space was a mini-bar that boasted, of all things, a square hot tub with a view out the window of the Vegas Strip.
“C’mon!” Azura said, waving Gemma and Sophie into the room. “Let’s enjoy it before everyone else gets here!” She kicked off her shoes and clothes as she made her way to the hot tub, turning it on. Gemma could hear the bubbles start up as Azura slipped in, down to just her black underwear.
Tyler had had an unexpected meeting with his team, leaving Sophie behind with the girls. Gemma had worried that she’d be shy or awkward considering the behavior she had observed in the few times they had met. But she seemed to have gotten over whatever initially held her back, skipping arm in arm with Azura and Gemma down the long hotel hallway, laughing her hilariously exuberant laugh.
Sophie surprised her yet again by being the second one of the three to strip down, dropping the straps of her maxidress to reveal matching underwear that at first glance looked like it was polka-dotted, but on second glance was in fact printed with tiny cupcakes. She reached back to take Gemma’s hand, pulling her up towards Azura.
She slipped into the tub, sitting next to Sophie and gesturing for Gemma to join.
“I can’t. I don’t have anything to change into,” Gemma laughed. “I was planning on leaving tonight.”
“Oh, I don’t either,” Sophie said, looking surprised for a second before laughing and shaking her head. “I didn’t think about that.”
“That’s right, Sophie,” Azura nodded. “Tonight’s not a night for thinking. Tonight’s for pure fun, ya hear that, Gem? Follow your heart. Do what you know you want to do. So get the fuck in and we’ll worry about your clothes later.”
“When is everyone getting here?” Gemma asked.
“Like an hour. And I have some damn clothes for you if you need them later, just come on. We talked about this. Let loose a little. I mean this one over here’s doing it,” Azura said, throwing a thumb at Sophie. Sophie smiled, splashing Gemma with a bit of the warm water. Their enthusiasm was kind of infectious, and after a day of exerting her muscles on fitting Azura’s curves into the tightest leather pieces, Gemma did want to give into the warming lull of the bubbling hot tub.
“Alright, fine.” She unzipped her bodycon dress, carefully draping it over the bar, before dipping her toe into the water.
Gemma let go of a long sigh as she lowered herself into the tub. She could feel her muscles loosen immediately, even the ones that she hadn’t realized were holding any sort of tension. She tipped her head back, leaning against the plush, waterproof pillows behind her.
“Okay, this was a great idea,” she laughed, her voice immediately low with relaxation.
“Mm-hm. I need this,” Azura said. “Eugene texted saying he’s halfway here. My ass needs to get rid of the nerves and all that before he gets here.” Azura sighed, rolling her neck slowly to face Gemma. She stuck out her pointy tongue and made a face. “Kinda wish I didn’t even mentio it to you at all because saying shit aloud makes it real in a way that sucks. I’ve been all funky about it since I told you.”
“Boy trouble?” Sophie asked, looking over at Azura.
“Not trouble yet. Trouble would be good at this point. What I got right now is just… total nothingness and I need something to happen already.”
“I understand,” Gemma nodded. “I’m nervous for tonight too.”
“You’re farther along than I am, honey, so don’t talk.”
“You’re waiting for someone too?” Sophie asked. Gemma opened her eyes, looking over at Sophie’s inquiring blue eyes.
“Yes,” Gemma answered, less begrudging than she had expected. She wondered if it was weird that she was talking to her ex-boyfriend’s current fiancée about what was once a very sensitive topic. Especially when that sensitive topic did turn out to be an object of Gemma’s interest.
“Damian?” Sophie continued to look at her, curious.
“Yes,” Gemma replied again, simply. Sophie nodded.
“I’m excited for you girls,” Sophie said. “The chase is my favorite part.”
“Yeah?” Azura asked, splashing some water at Sophie. “What do you know about the chase with that ring on your finger?”
“She has to know something if she has that ring, Azura,” Gemma laughed. “And Tyler Chase is very much the chasing type from what I remember.” Her smile quickly dropped as she turned to Sophie. “Sorry. That was inappropriate of me.” Apparently, her tongue was among the muscles relaxing in her body, and perhaps too much.
“No worries,” Sophie said, giving Gemma’s hand a squeeze. “I don’t want you to feel like you need to tiptoe around me. It’s no secret that you and Tyler dated.”
“Stop being so mature about it,” Azura said with a lip curl. “I want to see a catfight.”
“Only if you put money on me to win,” Sophie replied, deadpan. “But I should tell you that I would have money on Gemma so if I lose the fight, I’d
win the bet.” Gemma laughed, squinting at Sophie. She was a bit odd, but it was an enjoyable amount.
“You are one strange mofo, Soph,” Azura said. “You’re lucky I like you.”
The three girls got out of the tub just ten minutes shy of getting a little too relaxed and borderline sleepy, taking shots of espresso from the machine at the bar before going into the hotel bedroom. Azura had about three more suitcases than necessary, all opened to piles of colorful clothes, most of which were pieces so small that Gemma wasn’t totally sure they were meant to be worn as anything more than scarves.
“Okay, so I can’t help you in the underwear department so you girls are either going commando or we can try to dry you with the blowdryer,” Azura said, kneeling beside a suitcase. Sophie dried herself off with a towel, sitting at the edge of the giant California King bed.
“I think I’ll be fine back in my dress,” Sophie said. “I can deal with the wet underwear. But thank you.”
“How ‘bout you, Gem,” Azura said. “Do you need clothes from me? Because I can’t imagine wet underwear or going commando working so well under that bodycon of yours.” Gemma peeled her soaking wet bra from her body, realizing she could still wring a good amount of water from it.
“I don’t think I can fill out of any of your clothing quite like you do, Azura,” Gemma said. “So it looks like it’s gonna be commando in the bodycon.”
“You slut,” Azura teased, laughing as she pulled out a slinky satin minidress for herself. Gemma turned away from the other two girls, pulling off her underwear and stepping into the bodycon dress. It was one of her favorites, something that she had taken from Armand’s line two seasons ago. At first glance, the dress appeared to be the typical little black dress. But as she walked, bending and moving, it was clear that there were peeks of quarter inch lace strips that zigzagged between the opaque panels of fabric, flashing different parts of her skin depending on what position she was in. It was probably a dangerous move to wear the dress without any sort of underwear, but she was officially in the mood to embrace a little risk.