“All set,” Jessie said, straightening up.
I tested the shoes, which were painful, but it was only for a few minutes.
“You’re going on right after Jared,” Jessie said, nodding toward the man as he released my arm.
I got into line, following the rest up the three precarious steps to the curtained area just offstage.
Jessie turned into a drill sergeant, hissing at the remaining models. “Socialite, look cold. They’re beneath you. Rock star, laugh and wave. Make them love you. Artist, channel the hippie vibe and walk a bit slower.”
She turned to Jared. “I assume you know how to look like a rich douchebag?”
My mouth fell open, but he just laughed. “Got it.”
“Tara,” she said more gently, as the music changed and the socialite began strutting out into the lights, “Just breathe. You’re incredible for doing this for me. You’re the shy blushing bride, so if you look a little bit nervous it will be adorable. Okay?”
I nodded, my breath stuttering through my throat. Looking up, Jared looked worried. He bent down to whisper in my ear, “Tara, you look ravishing. Take your time, and let everyone admire you.”
It was touching that a total stranger seemed to
care. His warmth made something flutter deep in my stomach. Before I could think of something to say, he’d turned away, walking into the bright lights.
Wow, he was breathtaking. Everything about him was impeccably styled, and he looked so comfortable with it all.
His shoes looked like they cost more than my rent. His watch gleamed in the light as he walked casually down the catwalk as if he owned the building. Heck, the city.
I reached up to adjust my cheap crystal earrings, which I’d bought at a dollar store on the way to the show, since jewelry wasn’t supplied. Clearly, the obscenely wealthy man posing at the taped X on the floor at the far end of the runway didn’t have to worry about little things like that.
Watching the confident, powerful way he walked, I wondered what that would feel like. To be so secure. To be so in control. I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to be with such an incredible man.
Then I remembered I was up next, as a bouquet was pressed into my hand, and my knees began to quake.
2
_____
Jared
My back teeth ground together as I forced myself to remain still, feeling like a complete idiot. Standing under the spotlights so that hundreds of strangers could ogle my suit, I still couldn’t believe I’d been talked into this.
I’d always thought it was cute that my little sister Jessie threw herself into fashion design school with such complete enthusiasm.
It took me a bit longer than some to settle down and find a decent job. Running deliveries for a sketchy family because I’m so huge that people don’t ask any questions wasn’t enough to live on for long, and I didn’t exactly see much of a future in it. So I trained to be a crane operator, and my days were now spent constructing huge office towers from the ultimate seat in the sky.
My only pickups and deliveries now involved helping drive Jessie all over the city to strange warehouses for fabric, or to drop off her industrial sewing machines at the repair shop. But when she started designing a custom suit to fit my sturdy physique, with the unspoken understanding that I would model it for her at the end-of-year show, I should have stopped her.
I didn’t have many weaknesses. And I hated ever feeling out of control. But my sister’s puppy dog look was a soft spot.
Jessie had said something about wanting to create the perfect suit for a real billionaire, not some slim, high cheek-boned Scandinavian-looking model. She’d gone all out, renting me the shoes and watch, and sending me to her friend for a fancy shave and haircut.
Forcing myself to stroll confidently down the narrow walkway as if I owned the place, I had to admit, I did feel like a million bucks, if not quite a billion.
I certainly felt fired up after being so close to the breathtaking girl Jessie had found to model her bridal gown. I’d never been so close to such a gorgeous woman.
The faint trembling of her elbow in my hand, the scent of her apple shampoo, and the way she nervously licked those luscious lips all drove me insane. I wished I was the sort of man who ended up with a woman like that.
After pausing at the end of the stage to dramatically check my ridiculously over-the-top watch while the cameras flashed wildly, I turned to saunter back, relieved that this was almost over.
I could just see the edge of Tara’s dress peeking out from the side of the curtain. The poor little thing looked scared to pieces, and I wished that there was something I could do to help. The strong urge to protect her surprised me. It had come out of nowhere.