Page 124 of The Innovator

“Let’s go show off our bags, ladies. See you soon.” Kiera waved at the girls and headed to the front of the show.

Fifteen minutes later, the models showed up and my assistants helped get them dressed. Organized chaos flowed around the back room. I loved the energy during the fashion show. All the hard work came to this moment when the world got to see glimpses of your heart and soul. Though they couldn’t see the work it took to create the ensemble, they could appreciate the finished products. I went to my desk, sat down, breathed, and sipped from my water bottle. As I checked myself in the mirror, I noticed a face in the reflection.

My heart thudded and a wave of emotion came over me. It had been two months since he texted me, asking for my forgiveness. I thought he’d moved on.

I turned to face him, and all the chaos in the room fade away. He leaned against a cabinet with his arms crossed. The space had just gotten smaller.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“You’re in Paris. I’m in Paris. This is your first fashion show. Congratulations.”

Grayson wore a dark gray suit with my silver tie. My feelings for him hadn’t gone away no matter how much I’d tried, but I couldn’t let him know. There was this barrier between us, and I couldn’t remove it. He looked thinner, tired, and contemplative. Despite that, he still made my heart pitter-patter like no other man.

Exhilaration had burst in me when I saw the photo of him wearing my novelty sweater. He hadn’t tossed it out. I’d wanted to comment on how perfect it had looked on him, but I didn’t want him to know I was spying on his profile. Had he been stalking my profile too?

I traced the outline of his square jaw with the five o’clock shadow that made him look hot and exhausted at the same time. My body shivered, remembering how that rough face felt against my neck and inner thighs.

“Don’t you have work to do? Who’s running the business?”

“A business means nothing when my heart is unstable. I’m here to support the person who could stabilize my heart.”

Every time he said those words, my heart melted, but I was cautious.

“Don’t you have other women stabilizing you in Providence?”

I knew he didn’t have a girlfriend because I’d been searching for him on the internet. There hadn’t been any new pictures of him with anyone. Maybe he had someone but kept her hidden. I’d never know.

Men with money and power could buy anything.

The more I tried to forget him, the more I thought about him. Everywhere I turned, I saw Grayson. He was in all the buildings I passed—the texture of a garment, on the trees, and on the streets. He consumed me.

Standing so close, his musky scent urged my body to move closer, but I refused.

“There’s no other woman in my life. You’re the one I want.”

Pierre, the male model wearing a button-up shirt with unique pockets, intruded the space. “Just wanted to say this shirt is exceptional.” He made my menswear outfit look fantastic. “Are you available for dinner after the show?”

Grayson turned his head in a slow motion that mimicked a cobra surveying its prey. I sensed the animosity pumping off him.

I shook my head slightly. “Sorry, I’m busy.”

Pierre met Grayson’s eyes, understood, and left.

I hadn’t dated anyone since Grayson, but that was my choice. My heart wasn’t ready to see anyone.

Grayson stepped closer and gripped my chin. His touch sent a zing through me, reminding me of all the wonderful things we used to do. He lowered his lips but didn’t kiss me. Instead, he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. “Congratulations again. I meant what I said, Natalie. You’re the woman I want. Can we start over?” A pause that thrummed with anticipation. “Please?”

“Grayson, I’m not ready.”

With his lips pressed tightly together, he nodded. “I’ll be here when you are.”

* * *

A month later, I had a show in Milan, and Grayson showed up to support me.

“You’re in Milan. I’m in Milan. Wherever you are, I’ll be there.” he said when I questioned why he was present.

We had dinner and chatted about Three Point Park and The Prism. He did this for my following three shows. I was getting worried about him. Every time I saw him, he seemed more exhausted.

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