Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“Brad,” she whispered my name, almost like a question.
I leaned forward, drawing closer to her—
“We’re starting our descent,” the captain’s voice sounded over the speakers, jarring me back to the present as the flight attendant shuffled down the aisle, ensuring we were buckled in and had everything stowed away.
I settled back in my seat, blowing out a tight breath.
“Thanks,” Luna said.
“For what?”
She motioned toward her bag where the sketchbook rested. “For believing in me.”
“Always.”
The wheels touched down in a semi-smooth landing. I grabbed Luna’s bags and stored them in the back of the car that I’d arranged to pick us up, and held the door open for her to climb in the back seat. She arched a brow at me, her gaze darting from me to the opened door and back again.
“What?” I asked.
“Holding the door open for me?” She laughed. “You’re already in full fiancé mode, huh?”
I waved her off. “Act like I don’t do this for you all the time.”
She considered that, almost looking like she was filing through years of history for the evidence. Shrugging, she climbed in, and I slid in after her.
“But yes,” I said after we’d gotten on the road. “I am in full fiancé mode as of right now.”
“Oh,” she said, shifting in the seat toward me just slightly. “Okay, hang on.”
She closed her eyes, taking a long, deep breath deep. It was cute as hell.
Opening her eyes, she blinked a few times, her features shifting into a full adoring gaze. She reached across the small space between us, laying her hand on top of mine.
“What are we doing tonight, dear?”
I bit back a laugh, turning my hand in hers so I could interlock our fingers. “Tonight is the welcome party, darling,” I said, having a little too much fun with this charade. “There will be music, drinks, food. It’s black tie.”
“Good thing I brought all my ballgowns,” she said, grinning at me.
“You’d be ravishing in anything,” I said. “But I’m glad you packed for the occasion.”
“Will there be dancing?” she asked as our car pulled into the beachfront resort we were staying at.
“I’m sure there will be,” I said. “Are you ready to dance with me again?”
Luna visibly swallowed, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. The move seemed almost subconscious, like she was remembering exactly what I was remembering—the last time we danced, we ended up in a small, darkened space with my mouth over hers.
A lick of flame snapped down my spine at the memory, and I had to shift where I sat. Fucking hell, I got semi-hard anytime I thought about that kiss.
“Yes,” she finally answered. “I think I need way more dancing in my life.”
She did. She deserved dancing and fun and adventures and passion. All the best things that life had to offer. She’d been denied those things for way too long—her devotion to opening and running her boutique and then her attention to her relationship had taken up so much of her free time. And even if it was just pretend, even if it was just for these next two weeks, I was going to do my damnedest to show her that.
Platonically, of course.
The resort ballroom area was filled with what looked like all of Close-to-Custom’s employees. I’d come down here while Luna was still getting ready, knowing I needed to pick up our badges and sign us in before the welcome party.
Banners and signs lay strategically around the resort, the smooth matte design popping with bursts of hot pink and blazing gold around their company’s logo. It was eye-catching, for sure. Their branding was one of the reasons why I’d researched their company in the first place.
It was sleek, clean, and had a wide appeal, plus the concept alone was brilliant—who didn’t want their clothes to feel like they were custom made? Their app gave online shoppers the added benefit of being able to virtually try on items to see how they looked, but also ensure they got the perfect fit. The technology had already streamlined several online shopping venues, cutting their returns by thirty percent.
Those were solid numbers, and with some extra backing, the app could be developed further and integrated into more online stores—which was what this trip was all about.
I wanted to be that backer. I wanted to have a piece of this company for myself because I believed in their intentions. Beyond the evidence of it being profitable, the owners were renowned for being family oriented, inclusive, and forward-thinking. Pair that with the fact that they only allowed their app to be used by brands they believed in and matched their core values, and I was all for it.
Also, it was an easy sell for me because my best friend happened to be an incredible designer, so I’d been around the fashion industry longer than likely any of the other investors here putting in their bids for the company.