That made one tear escape and I swiped at it. “You’ve always given me too much credit.”
“Somebody has to,” he muttered.
I straightened and cleared my throat. “Get back to your table, Mr. Brightman. Runway’s about to start.” I turned on my ear piece as my old boss mouthedgood luckand walked back to his seat.
On my way back, I was stopped by yet another guest. Rebecca.
I threw on my best smile. “Hey, everything okay?”
Rebecca pulled me aside. “Yes, listen before the last model is presented, we need to pause for an announcement from our CEO regarding the designer she’ll be showcasing. Could you make sure the stage crew and the last model knows? It’s very important.”
“Of course, so she should be cued to enter when the speaker is done?” I confirmed with a question.
“And the applause.”
“Right.”
“Thanks much.” Rebecca stalked away, as I rolled my eyes.
I found Mimi and relayed the instructions as I scanned the schedule. “Could you please let...Adrienne know to listen for her cue and then take the stage. They’re moving kind of fast, so she’ll already be standing by.”
“Start her strut when the applause ends...I’m on it,” Mimi murmured before disappearing backstage.
I turned on my mic and instructed Ryan to pause on Adrienne’s light cue.
“Noted. Just give me the signal to release,” Ryan reminded.
I shut my mic off and breathed a sigh of relief. The night would be over very shortly after the final showcase. Dessert was already being served, which meant that in less than one hour, I’d be closing up here and make my final decision on talking to Scott.
Maybe Ron was right, maybe I did deserve a chance, but not without the truth.
I sighed. I couldn’t think about that right now. Instead, I focused on the CEO’s speech and praise on the extraordinary work of this last but not least designer who they plan to feature quite a bit in the coming new year.
Ugh, get on with it.
Unable to control myself, I looked over at Scott’s table, but he was gone. I frowned, unsettled by the fact that I didn’t have eyes on him. Especially since I was already spotted by Ron. My eyes searched and found him leaning by one of the pillars. I froze.
He wasn’t alone.
Claudia was with him, in her stylish gold and black gown, sparkly heels and long blond hair draping over her shoulders. She reached up, dusting the shoulder of his suit jacket. Scott didn’t seem to welcome it but didn’t walk away either. Instead, he gave her a wicked grin and leaned in closer only to disappear behind a crowd that stood and applauded, covering the discreet duo.
My heart stopped. The noise in the room was like thunder and I looked for an escape.
How could I be so foolish?Thatwas the kind of woman Scott belonged with. Prominent, elegant, upscale; a genuine version ofIsabel.
Finally, the thunderous applause stopped and the room returned to a light chatter, which stopped almost abruptly with confusion spread across the guest’s faces.
What the hell is going on?
It took all but my name being urged twice in my earpiece before the adrenaline flooded and my eyes were wide as reality hit me.
My head spun to the stage. A flushed and angry model stood on the dim, lifeless runway.
31
SCOTT
The last modelemerged onto a desolate stage.
