I pass Helena on my way back up the stage. We both stop at the same spot, like rehearsed, and walk around each other before posing. I’m sure the ends of our dresses look amazing as they chase each other. More cameras are out now, and we give them a few seconds before continuing.
I step behindthe curtain and am swept away to change. Everyone works quickly on me. Two people work on my jewelry. One works my dress off, and another helps me out of my shoes.
It took me a very long time to get comfortable with being naked in front of my team, but after a lot of trust-building activities and long speeches, I barely notice. Mainly becausethey’re so focused on the task at hand, and I know they’re barely looking at me more than they need to.
I'm trying to put on the headpiece that goes with my outfit, but Trey takes it from me and says he’ll do it as someone is tying the back of my corset.
The headpiece looks like a necklace, and a few diamonds fall on my forehead; it completes the look perfectly.
I’m back on stage a few minutes after I’m ready, and we honestly did that a lot faster than I thought we could.
I notice a few confused looks when people see me back on stage so soon. A few people look down at the program and whispers are being shared. I glance at Mr. Moore and he looks proud that he shocked everyone.
The rest of the show flows heavenly, to quote Angie’s dramatic words, but she’s not wrong.
“You are killing it!” Mel comes around to me with the brightest smile.
“Thank you, thank you.”
I blow her a kiss before walking back out. I’m on autopilot by the time I’m changing out of my second-to-last outfit.
Everyone wishes me good luck as I walk out in the closing dress. My eyes land on Vincent as I walk down the runway, and I almost falter when he cracks a small smile.
I pose at the end of the stage, and on my way back, every single person stands to applaud. I’ve never heard an audience so loud, and the second I’m backstage, I’m literally squealing.
“Oh, em gee!!” I collect my team in a group hugand congratulate them on our success before thanking them for making sure everything ran so smoothly. I was so damn nervous something would go wrong with the amount of pieces in such a short period of time, but it wasperfect.
“Where’s Sage Loana?”
I go still at the sound of Vincent’s deep voice resounding through the dressing room. He only just finished his speech, but I thought he was still on stage, so when I turn to see him watching me, I don't move an inch for a beat.
“Mr. Moore.” I smile up at him, and the entire room feels thick as he watches me with his usual glare.
“You did amazing. Thank you again for modeling all of those extra pieces.” His thick accent drips from his words as his dark eyes bore into mine.
“Thankyoufor the opportunity.” I feel my smile widen, and he gives me a single nod before walking out. I turn to everyone else in the room, and they’re just as shocked as I am.
“I don’t think Vincent Moore haseverthanked or even complimented a model before.” Florence studies me like I just appeared from thin air.
I feel someone grab my arm, and I turn to find Angie smirking at me. “He loved you out there.”
I laugh softly at her. “That’s not what he said, he–”
“He may well have.”
I feel a flutter of butterflies in my stomach at her words.
“I told you this may as well have been an audition. He’s going to be watching you now.”
“You think so?!”
Angie nods, and I feel my nerves heighten. It would be a dream come true if I were a Moore Girl. Of course, I love modeling for Magic Model, but I want to be at the top of my career. I’m already there in the States with Florence, but Vincent Moore would take me to an international level.
Before I can make sense of what doors may have opened for me tonight, someone is barging in.
“YOU KILLED IT!” A loud voice fills the entire backstage.
I break into a laugh at how loud August is. He makes his way over to me and pulls me in for a tight hug. I pull away from him,and the second I do, my other brother is lifting me with a spin. He’s done this since we were kids, and I have no idea how he’s still able to pick me upandspin us.
