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When the final model stepped off the stage, she peeked out from behind the curtain, desperate to catch a glimpse of him, but then a heavy drumming beat played over the loudspeakers and Chase's voice was booming through the audience. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we're proud tonight to introduce the newest star of indie fashion week. The designer of tonight's creations, Miss Julie Hamden."
Julie gasped, and then Trina was shoving a microphone into her hand and pushing her onto the stage.
She glanced back to find Troy whispering angrily at his incensed-looking brother, and she gulped before taking center stage.
"Hi everybody." She squinted out at the audience, but all she could see were the lights shining in her eyes. "I, um, I want to thanks the Wilcox brothers for this amazing opportunity to showcase my work. I hope you all liked it--"
The crowd roared for her, and as she continued to squin
t at the little rows of chairs, she could make out the outline of a few people standing and cheering her on. Like she really was the star of the show. "I'd like to thank all of the beautiful models who made walking in those heels look so effortless tonight. I want to thank my personal assistant, Trina, who made everything happen. And...And I want to thank my family for always believing in me. Most of all, though, I want to thank the love of my life, Chase Westmore, for everything he did for me tonight and everything he's always done for me. He's so much more than I could ever have deserved."
Tears threatened, but she choked them back and said, "Now, please welcome back tonight's beautiful girls as they take their final bows." She gestured toward the wings and then a stream of models poured out from behind the curtain as she rushed backstage.
She handed the mic to Trina, but as soon as it was out of her hands, she found herself eye-to-eye with Eli Wilcox.
"Ms. Hamden, I don't think we've had the pleasure."
"Mr. Wilcox, I..."
"Look, may I call you Julie?"
Julie nodded and the other man gave her a curt nod of approval.
"Julie, what my brother did to you was atrocious. I don't like liars in my family, and I especially don't like them in my company. If you would agree to return to the company, I'll see that you're given a raise and a featured place in next spring's fashion week. No more indie stuff. No more small time stuff."
Julie blinked, but then she thought of Chase and she frowned. "Actually, Mr. Wilcox, thanks but no thanks. I think Trina and I are going to make a go of it on our own. But I would be honored if we could work together sometime." She stuck her hand out for him, and he shook it.
"I look forward to seeing what you can do, Julie."
"Me too." She smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go speak with someone urgently."
She moved through the crowd of well-wishers until she spotted him in the crowd. The lights were only just coming up and their time was running short, but she grabbed his hand and pulled him through a fire exit until they were alone at last in a dingy alley.
"Julie, I didn't mean what I said--"
"I know."
"You have to know that I--"
"I do."
"I would have--"
"Just shut up and kiss me." She gripped the collar of his jacket and pulled his lips to hers, breathing in his scent as she deepened the kiss and got lost in him.
It was better, sweeter than any kiss they'd ever shared before. Maybe it was because of what he'd done. Maybe. But if she were a betting woman? She'd have said it was because for the very first time, it didn’t have to be a secret. Her heart was pounding not out of fear or anxiety, but out of love. Sheer, pure, love for this man.
The man she'd loved for as long as she could remember.
"Thank you," she said as she released her grip on him. "Thank you for everything."
"I haven't done anything."
"You've done everything. And I love you for it."
"I love you, too," Chase said. "So what do we do now? Are you going back to New York? Do I come and visit you?"
"No, I'm going to have it all. The designs. Honeybrook. My family. And you. We're going to make this work, you and me."
