Sewing in Circles by Chloe Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

Normally, she had so many ideas, it was hard to get them out of her head and onto the paper fast enough. But with her confidence rattled, every time she started to sketch, shesecond guessed herself. What if it turns out awful? What if it’s not up to my usual level of creative innovation? What if I’m just not good enough?
    She heard the phone ring but was busy worrying, so she let Marcus get it.
    â€œZo! It’s for you!” he shouted.
    When she picked up, the woman on the other end introduced herself as Mrs. Perry and said she was one of the organizers of the gift fair.
    â€œWe’ve had a cancellation, and we’d like to offer you a booth, if you’re still interested,” she said. “Are you?”
    Finally! Some good news! Zoey thought.
    â€œYes! I am!” she exclaimed.
    â€œOh good,” Mrs. Perry said. “There’s just one caveat: We’d like you to add more accessories to your offerings, because they’re easier to sell as gifts. Would you be willing to do that?”
    â€œSure,” Zoey said—although as soon as she agreed, she wondered if it would cause problems with Allie.
    â€œGreat!” Mrs. Perry said. “We’ll see you on setup day!”
    Zoey thought for a few moments after hanging up the phone, then she dialed Allie’s number.
    â€œHey, Allie—good news! I got a booth!”
    â€œYou did? That’s awesome!”
    â€œYeah, there was a cancellation,” Zoey explained. “I was wondering—could we get together tomorrow to talk details?”
    â€œSure!” Allie said. “I’ll come over at . . . How does ten sound?”
    â€œSounds good,” Zoey said.
    Hopefully, Marcus would sleep late, so she wouldn’t have to deal with any awkwardness between her brother and his former girlfriend. And hopefully, she’d be able to talk through the accessories situation with Allie.

    Mr. Webber was reading the paper and drinking coffee in the kitchen when Allie arrived the next morning.
    â€œAllie Lovallo! Nice to see you,” he said. “It’s been a while.”
    Zoey flashed her father an Oh, Dad! look. Did he have to make a point about the fact she hadn’tbeen around as much . . . for obvious and awkward reasons ?
    â€œGreat to see you, too, Mr. Webber,” Allie said.
    â€œLet’s go in the living room,” Zoey said. “So we can talk.”
    â€œI’ve got pictures of some new belts I’m going to be selling at the gift fair,” Allie said. “I can’t wait to show you.”
    The girls sat on the sofa, and Allie took out her phone and started swiping through photos of her newest accessories.
    â€œWhat do you think?” she asked Zoey.
    â€œThey’re fab,” Zoey said. “I like the one with the beads.”
    â€œYeah, that’s my favorite, too,” Allie said. “I like it so much, I almost don’t want to sell it!”
    â€œSpeaking of selling . . . um . . . One of the conditions of me getting the booth at the gift fair is that I have to offer more accessories,” Zoey said.
    â€œOh,” Allie said.
    â€œAre you upset?” Zoey asked.
    â€œNo, not upset,” Allie said. “I totally understand. I just don’t want to feel like it’s some kind ofcompetition, because we’re both going to be selling accessories.”
    â€œI don’t think it will be,” Zoey said. “I mean, our styles are different enough that there’s room for both of us, don’t you think?”
    â€œYeah,” Allie said. “That’s true.”
    â€œHow about we just promise not to let it get weird?” Zoey suggested.
    â€œSounds like a plan,” Allie agreed. “I’m up for a No Weirdness Pact.”
    Once they’d shaken on it, Zoey felt better about the whole thing, although secretly she wondered if they’d actually be able to keep to