Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
During the break between shows, Kendall sat in her chair with a box of Kleenex beside her just in case. Naomi entered the room to hand her throat lozenges before answering her cell and leaving the room. I’d tried to become friendly with Naomi, but she kept herself at arm’s length. Even her relationship with Kendall didn’t seem very warm. But they made it work, or maybe Naomi was just good at her job, and that pleased Kendall enough.
“Carter Wells was a dream, right?” Kendall said, knowing I’d watched the segment with the famous frontman of the popular band. I also got to stand close to him while Rowan helped with the trendy, patterned suit he’d worn for the appearance, and damn, he smelled good. Even better than Rowan normally did.
Did I actually just admit that? But how could I help it when he came in smelling like some sort of smoky vanilla scent every morning.
Like a candle that set the mood for the evening.
Or ruined it.
“Totally dreamy,” I replied, thrusting thoughts about scents out of my mind. “Too bad he’s straight with a gorgeous girlfriend.”
“Aren’t they all, honey?” Tony said as he touched up her powder.
When he was finished, Kendall cleared her throat. “So…tomorrow night?”
“Ugh, don’t remind me.”
“I’m catching a flight tonight, but I still wish I could make it.” She glanced over her shoulder, but Rowan had disappeared somewhere during the break. “It’s why he’s so distracted. I’d be worried if you weren’t going.”
“What do you mean?” I looked up from Rowan’s planner.
“To sort of…distract him. Or keep him in line.”
“Impossible.” I plugged in the steamer, wondering where she’d even get such a notion. It wasn’t like I had any influence whatsoever over my boss. “Besides, I’ll be out of my element there.”
“It won’t be much different than what you do here—outside of the clothing part, of course. And you know how to schmooze with the best of them.”
I smirked. “I learned from the best.”
“You have charm all your own. Add those smoldering eyes and lush lashes, and any man would be a goner for you.” She sighed. “So unfair since my lashes are fake.”
I scrunched my nose in confusion since nobody had ever used those terms when describing me. Cute or adorable, maybe.
“Stop, or you’re going to give him an even bigger head,” Rowan said as he came into the room. He was holding a garment bag and looked out of breath, but I was too busy freaking out inside over that compliment. I didn’t even have a good comeback. That’s how much he’d thrown me off my game.
Kendall winked, knowing they’d flustered me.
“Surprise. Here’s your Ralph Lauren tux.” Rowan motioned to the bag. “He personally let you borrow it.”
“Excuse me?” I nearly swallowed my tongue when I noticed the designer’s name inscribed across the front. “I can’t… I thought the tux was for you. I was perfectly fine borrowing something from the wardrobe closet.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re coming as my guest, so you must look your best,” he said in the most superior tone yet, but I was too distracted by the fact that a famous designer was allowing me to borrow a tux to wear to a charity event. “He was gracious enough to dress both of us.”
“How lovely,” Kendall said with a gleam in her eye. “You’ll look fabulous.”
My stomach tilted. “Knowing me, I’ll spill ketchup on the lapel.”
“Ketchup?” Rowan unzipped the bag. “Do you plan to eat fast food on the way?”
“I thought for sure they’d serve burgers and fries at the event.” I rolled my eyes. “Maybe I should’ve said caviar and champagne.”
Kendall patted my shoulder. “Celebs borrow designer clothes all the time. Afterward, they’re sent off to be dry-cleaned. You wouldn’t be the first to spill something.”
Anita stepped up to marvel at the tux, which was simple in design but screamed money because of the fabric and, no doubt, the fit. Guess there was a difference after all.
“Try it on,” Kendall said, clapping her hands.
“Now? We have to prep for a show,” I replied, trying to put it off for as long as I could because I was still in shock and a bit terrified.
“Only the jacket,” Rowan said, slipping it off the hanger, then holding it open for me. I turned and slipped my arms into it, his warm fingers squeezing my shoulders, making my skin tingle a bit. “See? Amazing fit.”
“Love how it looks,” Kendall said, and Anita agreed.
I marveled at myself in the mirror, trying to picture the complete outfit and wondering if the one Rowan had borrowed from the designer was a carbon copy.
“After the second show, we can make sure the trousers work too,” Rowan said.
I nodded as I removed the jacket, and he stored it away. We got to work, but I couldn’t shake the idea that I was actually going to wear something so expensive. It shouldn’t have affected me so much because I still believed clothing shouldn’t be that big of a deal. But maybe it was more that Rowan had gone out of his way to make sure I looked good. Sure, it was because I might be photographed with him, but it somehow felt deeper than that. Like he’d also wanted to please me.