“Oh, Drew. I’m sorry. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Sure I did. I promised I’d be here, didn’t I?” He looked around at the models getting dressed around him. “Am I too late?”
He was sweaty, his hair wet from his run. Actually, he looked perfect. “No.” She grabbed his arm and took him into hair and makeup. “Gel his hair, give him a rough edge. He doesn’t need much in the way of makeup other than to tone down the redness from running. Otherwise, he’s good to go.”
“Probably a little deodorant would help, too,” he said with a smile.
She laughed. “Whatever. I’ll see you on the runway.”
He’d made it. He hadn’t blown this off. Her heart swelled with joy. One less thing to worry about.
In short order the models were lined up, Drew was in that fantastic outfit, and everyone was ready.
Carolina took in a deep cleansing breath, let it out, and when given her cue, stepped onto the runway.
“Good evening. My name is Carolina Preston, and I’m so thrilled to be here today to showcase Carolina Designs. This has been a long-held dream of mine, and I’m happy to set it free today. I hope you enjoy the show.”
She turned and headed back behind the curtains, listening to the polite applause. She knew it wouldn’t be wild clapping. She hadn’t earned that yet. But she hoped her fashions would show that she was a capable designer.
The music queued up, and she sent her first model down the runway. As she watched them on the monitor, it felt a lot like giving birth.
The men were going first, and they looked spectacular from casual slacks and button-up shirts to Drew taking the runway in a weekend outfit of drawstring pants and a fitted Henley. He grinned at the end of the runway, turned, and oh, God, the way he walked. Confident arrogance. No one could have done that outfit justice better than Drew. And Gray in a suit was something to behold.
The guys dashed back and changed, then went out again, everyone moving with precision. So far, so good. Gray came out next in a weekend casual piece, still very elegant, but oh, he looked so good. And Drew in jeans and a button-down shirt made her salivate. Every piece of her men’s line had turned out perfectly. She could tell the audience was captivated. She hoped it was the same when it came time for the women, who were up next.
First down the runway was her camel leather jacket and beaded mini. She felt such a sense of pride seeing something she’d created walk the runway at Lincoln Center. Then came the flirty dark print skirt and body-hugging sweater, followed by the low-slung pants and matching knee-length coat.
Outfit after outfit walked, and with each one Carolina wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes shimmering with tears. She hoped—oh, she hoped so much they were well received.
And when Esme walked out in her gown, she heard the collective gasps, and knew she had the audience by the throat. The applause as Esme disappeared was loud, and as the men came back out, followed by the women, people were on their feet, the applause deafening.
She’d done it. It was over. And it had been damn good, so she no longer cared what anyone thought.
“This is your moment,” Edward said, squeezing her arms. “Go take it.”
She nodded, turned to her assistants who had been right there by her side since the beginning. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Go,” Tierra said, laughing.
She walked out behind Esme. All the models clapped for Carolina. When she reached the end of the runway, she took a bow, then clasped Esme’s hand and mouthed “thank you” to her. Esme grinned and they walked hand in hand down the runway toward the curtain.