Page 93 of Have To Be Mine

“Yeah, well, I’m here to get concrete proof that he’s wrong,” Callum continued. “When done right, runway shows can make a bridal line a huge success. And from what I’ve seen already, you’re doing it right. I want to watch how you’ve put this together. Learn from you. Take notes.”

I stared at him. “You want to learn from me?”

“Yeah, man. Why do you sound so surprised? I’m still pretty new to the fashion world. I’ve helped Cleo with some designs, but mostly I work on the financial side of things.”

Nobody had ever looked at me for guidance. As the youngest, I was used to being treated like I was inexperienced, green. This was unfamiliar territory for me.

I nodded and rubbed the back of my neck. “I guess I thought you were here to see if I’d screw it up.”

“Dash, no. I’m just here to observe. I’m excited to watch this thing.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

We parted ways. I headed back to the villa. It was quiet, but I smelled something fried. At least she’d eaten. I hated the tension. I wanted to go upstairs and talk to her. Go back to the way things were.

It was never going to happen, and the sooner I wrapped my head around that, the sooner I could start healing.

30

KRISTA

Istood at the edge of the production site watching the absolute circus unfold around me, and for the first time since Athens, I felt completely invisible. I was not needed. Unnecessary. Irrelevant.

Adrian, Briggs, and Dash were going over last-minute details. Elizabeth was coordinating with the models, her eye for detail evident in every adjustment she suggested. Even little Bucky was there, strapped to his mother’s chest, his chubby hands reaching for everything within grabbing distance.

And Mandy was everywhere at once, her enthusiasm infectious as she chatted with crew members and influencers alike, making everyone feel like they were part of something special.

I felt like an outsider. This wasn’t my show. I’d been hired to do a job, and that job was done. Dash had pulled it together. The runway show was going to be spectacular. Mission accomplished.

So why did I feel like I’d been punched in the stomach?

Everything was perfect. Everything was handled. I wasn’t needed anymore.

A production assistant rushed past me holding a bundle of power cables, nearly knocking me over. She didn’t even notice. Why would she? I was just a consultant, standing on the sidelines while the real family took over.

I watched Dash laugh at something Briggs said. He looked happy. Confident. Like he belonged exactly where he was, surrounded by people who loved him. He didn’t need me. He’d never really needed me. He just needed someone to kick his ass into gear, and now that he was in gear, I was obsolete.

“Krista.”

I turned to find Adrian approaching. I had been too busy sulking to notice he was walking toward me. I forced a smile and slipped back into a professional headspace.

“Adrian. Everything looks great. You must be proud.”

“I am.” He stopped beside me, following my gaze to where Dash was now talking with the lighting director. “He did good. Really good.”

I nodded. “He stepped up.”

We stood there and watched Dash before I shook it off.

“You’re planning to leave,” he said finally. It wasn’t a question.

“The contract is done,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Unless you feel any of my responsibilities were overlooked?”

“Quite the contrary,” Adrian said. “You did exceptional work.”

“Then I think we’re finished here. Dash has it under control. You’re here now. He doesn’t need a handler anymore.”