Behind The Seams Novels & Stories

she said. "Things only the wearer knows are there," I said. "The collection brief." I paused. "Being seen." I paused. "The hidden pocket as the central concept." I paused. "Not just the pocket in each garment. The idea of it." I paused. "Every piece in the collection has something in it that only the wearer knows about." I paused. "A hidden seam detail. A fabric choice on the lining that's invisible from the outside." I paused. "A specific construction that only makes sense when you're wearing it."

When I joined the company, Marcus never publicly announced our relationship, claiming he was afraid people would call it a family business and criticize the company. But while others might not know, how could Ben not know? He was clearly lying through his teeth. Before I could defend myself, several cameras were pointed at my face. "Don't worry, Lucia. I hate homewreckers the most. We'll help expose her! How shameless!" I looked at Marcus in disbelief. He struggled to speak for a while, but ultimately only said, “Let's talk about this later." I shook my head in disappointment, "Marcus, you're such a loser!"

“And focus it around the actual labor practices we’ve implemented. Show people what reform really looks like.” My mind moved faster now, each idea pulling the next one out of hiding. “We’ll bring in artisans. The women from the Portugal co-op. The fabric technicians. The team that worked on our reclaimed dye process. Let the people speak who were never allowed to before.” Lena looked at me, her face clearing of doubt. “It would be harder to spin. Harder to discredit. Because it wouldn’t just be you talking. It would be everyone.” “We’ll call it Behind the Seams,” Julian said, the words landing with the clarity of something that had already existed, just waitin

I dressed, slid into a simple dress, and reached for a jacket to throw over my shoulders. Normally I would have shrugged it on and left. Today I set it on the table and inspected it. My fingers traced the seams, the lining, the pockets. Then I stopped. One large button didn't look right. The stitching around it was awkward, not the neat uniform holes I’d seen a thousand times. I leaned closer and saw a tiny device tucked into the button's rim.

When she finally went to bed, she had dreams of designer gowns, diamond jewelry, and expensive shoes. The next morning, Sarah was up early, getting dressed and ready for the day ahead. As she waited for the driver to arrive, Sarah tried to quell the nerves that were fluttering in her stomach. She knew that this was a business arrangement, but there was a part of her that couldn't help but wonder what Daniel was really like. Was there any ounce of goodness in him or was he just a cold, heartless businessman?

The kind of look that said I am here, even when you don’t ask me to be. Something in my chest eased, we didn’t need words. Just that quiet companionship, the small comfort of being seen without having to explain yourself.

Yet this time, she suddenly seemed like the picture of a devoted mother. "Alright. Thanks for handling it." I did not expose her. Taking my briefcase, I turned and left. Not long after I drove out of the neighborhood, I glanced at the back seat and noticed that Isaac's student ID had fallen into the gap between the seats. Without it, he would not even be allowed through the school gates. So I immediately made a U-turn and headed straight to the school. When I arrived at the athletic field, the events had not officially started yet. I found Amanda near the basketball court, but the moment I saw her, my footsteps stopped.