Page 123 of Darn Knit All

I peeked out of the wings, searching the crowd. There, front and center, sat my beautiful family and friends.

“Are you ready?”

I turned to find Erike standing behind me looking rather dashing in a three-piece suit.

“No,” I answered with a small grin. “But let’s do it anyway.”

He linked arms with me, standing beside me as he nodded to the stage manager who began the official countdown.

“You should be proud of yourself. You’ve done an excellent job.”

“I am,” I agreed, surprised to find that I wasn’t lying.

“Good.” He squeezed my arm. “Now enjoyyourshow.”

The music blared as the first model stepped out onto the stage, the light catching on the red and pink pattern of her dress.

I heard the sound of approval from the audience, and breathed out a long sigh of relief.

The music continued as each model strode confidently down the catwalk, showing off the designs I’d poured my soul into.

With a flourish, the music finished and Erike gave me a little push toward the stage.

“Your turn,” he murmured as I stepped out, my heart in my throat.

The crowd rose to their feet, applause thundering down toward me as the models parted and I stepped into the spotlight.

I raised a hand, giving a little wave of acknowledgement as the applause continued.

I narrowed my gaze, finding my family as they celebrated my moment.

Frankie, Jay, Annie and Linc were on one side, clapping and cheering. Next were my parents, beaming with pride. My grandparents were still seated, but both smiling widely as they clapped, stomping their feet. Beside them stood my sister and her partner. Keiko held up an iPad, turning it around for me to see Yasmin and Maeve waving frantically on the screen.

I laughed, waving back.

Finally, Ren stood with his arm around Flo as he whispered in her ear. She waved, and I blew them a kiss, grinning when Ren whispered once again in her ear—no doubt telling her I’d seen her.

But it was the man in the dashing suit jacket that caught my attention.

Theo’s smile beamed at me, the pride shining in his eyes. Our gazes caught.

“I love you,” he mouthed at me, his words swept away by the crowd. “Proud of you.”

Tears clogged the back of my throat as I took a breath and glanced around, committing every second of this moment to memory.

Staring back at him, I smiled.

EPILOGUE

MAI

Mai

What did you think of the listing?

Theo

Babe, the jacuzzi looked like it has definitely seen some orgies. And what was with every sink having those godawful giant fake gold swan-head taps? Not to mention the creepy room with the doll’s head wallpaper…

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