Vivienne studied him, her lips curved into a smile. “I told you I’m very resourceful.” She extracted an envelope from her purse and held it in front of him. “I should punch you for breaking my friend’s heart,” she said, her expression serious.
He took hold of the envelope, but she tightened her grip. “I’ll make it up to her,” Jack said, snatching the envelope.
Vivienne held his gaze. “She deserves better than you, so don’t screw it up, because if you do, you’ll be sorry you did.” She spun around and left the bar.
Jack opened the envelope, fixing his eyes on the media pass concealed in it. Screwing up a second time wasn’t an option. This was his one chance to right his wrong.
Chapter Twenty
Seeing first-hand the trends for the following year was one of the perks that came with her day job. The best part of it all was she got paid to do it. Tori stood in one of the large dressing rooms with two of her photographers and two of her magazine journalists, interviewing designers and models they’d set appointment times with.
No matter how busy she tried to keep, she still got distracted with thoughts of Jack. She’d heard from him all right, but she hadn’t lifted a finger to reply to any of his messages. She couldn’t forget how he’d hurt her, and her pride wouldn’t allow her to welcome him back. Not yet, maybe not ever. Tori wished he’d stop calling her, yet hoped he didn’t. She wouldn’t even try to explain that because she was utterly confused. Jack did that to her. Still, she didn’t regret not giving him a chance to explain why he hadn’t called. He deserved to be taught a lesson because she deserved a better man.
Tori ran her hands down the length of her dress and looked around the dressing room, wondering when Vivienne would be there. She’d managed to talk her boss into letting her use his VIP media pass, arguing it’d be a waste not to use it if he wasn’t going. Tori stopped in her tracks when Jack walked through the door, escorted by one of the staff.
She glanced at her own staff and walked in Jack’s direction. “You can’t be here,” she said.
Jack smiled, flashing his media pass. “This says otherwise.”
Tori narrowed her eyes at him. “How did you—”
“I think you know the answer to that.” He looked around them, then fixed his gaze on her last. “Tori, we need to talk.”
“I’m busy.” She turned to head back to her staff, but he grasped her arm and pulled her to him.
His lips brushed her ear. “I understand you’re busy. I’m not asking you to leave right now. All I’m asking is for you to give me a chance and meet me later tonight. Please say you will, Tori,” he whispered.
She fought the urge to close her eyes. A familiar pressure grew in her chest as his warmth seeped through the thin material of her dress, making her legs tremble.
“Oh my God, oh my God! This isn’t happening. This is not happening. Not happening.” A designer paced the room in hysterics, raking his hands through his hair. Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused their attention on him.
“What’s the matter?” a woman asked.
“I need a model. Pronto!” the designer exclaimed.
“Elisha,” the woman called.
“No. What’s wrong with you? It’s the summer men’s fashion show.”
The woman’s mouth opened, forming an O.
“Yes, oh. I need a man. A man model. Orlando is sick and I don’t have anyone to replace him.” He paced. “Oh, this is such a disaster.” He lifted his eyes, fixing his gaze behind Tori. “You.” He pointed his finger at Jack. “You are perfect.”
“Whoa. I’m here for her.” Jack wound his arm around Tori’s waist and pulled her in front of him like a shield.
Tori swallowed a laugh. “Antonio, I’m sure your designer friends will let you borrow one of their models,” she said.
“Cariño. Your naiveté becomes you. Don’t you see? This is rivalry at its best! They’ll be happy to see me fail and I won’t have it.”
“Talk to one of the other models. There’s got to be one who’d be willing to help you,” Jack said.
Antonio laughed. “Querido. You make it sound too easy. It’s not. They all have exclusive contracts. Not one would risk his neck to help me—you understand, no?” He approached Jack, grabbed his upper arm, and pulled him away from Tori, studying him from head to toe. “Yes, you’ll do.”
Jack put his hands up. “I don’t think you understand. I’m here for her.” He waved his hand in Tori’s direction.