She wanted to so badly she ached with it. In the days since, she’d had a chance to think about it, away from the drama of the Pemberton family. The only person who ever seemed to have an agenda was Stephen, and she was disappointed in him. But even though he’d had an agenda, he’d never lied to her. Not until that night. The arrangement had been clear and she’d agreed to it. His behavior the night of the party had been awful, but Will...she was starting to think her trust hadn’t been misplaced. Indeed, she’d rather felt she’d ruined everything since he hadn’t even called since she left Chatsworth. After all, she’d leveled him with an accusation and then...run. Again.
Charlotte leaned forward. “Gabi, we have a plan. If you’re willing, we’re pretty sure we know how you can get Will back...if you want him. You just need your passport, a plane ticket and a killer dress.” She handed over
an ivory envelope. “You’re invited to the Aurora party at the Four Seasons.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WILL HAD BEEN a bundle of nerves all day. As head of the fashion division, Paris Fashion Week was a big deal, particularly to Aurora’s bottom line. Charlotte had shouldered much of the work on the ground for the first time, and she’d done a fantastic job. The show had been a success and the applause spectacular as Aurora had taken the stage beside a team of designers at the end. As Will watched, happy to be in the background, he realized what a dynamic, strong, amazing woman his mother was.
No wonder his father had fallen for her. She’d taken an idea and made it into an empire. Sure, being married to the Earl of Chatsworth had helped. But he knew that it came down to her vision and strength.
It reminded him of someone else he knew.
Charlotte and Bella had gone to visit Gabi and put their plan in motion, this grand gesture that they seemed to think would fix everything. His palms started to sweat as fear made its way through the elation of the day. What if she didn’t come? What if she said no?
He’d missed her with a keenness that robbed him of breath. If she said no now, if it was over for good, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to breathe again.
After the show, William slid inside the limousine with Aurora, who was glowing, and they departed for the Aurora, Inc., party at the Four Seasons in the massive, ornate ballroom.
“You look beautiful, Maman.” She’d chosen an elegant gown in white that draped and shimmered beautifully against her creamy skin. He recognized the Pemberton diamonds at her throat and felt a tightness at his own as he thought of his father. He reached over and took her hand, then kissed the top of it. “I’m so proud of you. Papa would be, too.”
“Likewise, darling. I know you doubted I’d put you in the right spot, but look at what we achieved tonight.”
“I wish Papa was here to see it.”
“Me, too, darling. Me, too. But let’s have fun tonight, yes?”
His mother didn’t know what he had planned, or she wouldn’t have suggested something so lighthearted. His future lay in the balance.
They got out of the limo at the hotel and were immediately faced with camera flashes. A few waves and smiles and they were inside, moving toward the party. There was just one thing missing for Will...or rather one person. Having Gabi here tonight would make it complete.
They were in the foyer before the ballroom, surrounded by icons and the highest fashion in the world, when a simple black dress caught his eye.
And there she was, standing between Charlotte and Bella, wearing Charlotte’s black gown—the one Gabi had seen in Milan. It suited her perfectly. The jersey draped over the curve of her hips and fell to the floor in soft folds, and the halter neckline highlighted the column of her throat and her strong, beautiful shoulders. Her hair was up and...he swallowed thickly. Bella had loaned her jewelry. He recognized the diamond-and-pearl teardrop earrings that their father had given her on her eighteenth birthday.
She’d come.
Charlotte gave Gabi a gentle nudge, and she looked startled for a moment, but then began walking across the foyer toward him, her dark eyes wide and unsure, her lip...oh, she was biting her lip. Did she not realize he would welcome her with open arms?
He glanced to his left... Aurora had melted away into the background. Out of his way.
And then Gabi was there, before him, so incredibly beautiful he wasn’t sure he knew how to breathe.
“You’re here,” he said, feeling at once stupid and awestruck. “You never said for sure if you were coming.”
She laughed. “I wasn’t sure. But then I decided that I had to stop running away. Though I might have had some help with that.” She looked over her shoulder at his sisters, who grinned ridiculously and gave them a thumbs-up. She laughed, and he thought he’d never heard such a gorgeous sound in his life.
“My sisters can be persuasive.”
She met his gaze. “I didn’t want to listen. I was afraid to listen, Will. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d panicked because of my insecurities, and not because of you.”
“I would never... Oh, Gabi. I would never seduce you for business. It’s just not in me. Every feeling, every kiss, every touch...it was all you. None of it was part of my plan. I only offered what I did to help. Not because of what Stephen said. He lied to you. He said so in front of the entire family.”
“In front of everyone?”
“When you left, I called a family meeting.”
Her gaze widened. “Your sisters never told me that.”