“We should tell my mom you’re sick and need to stay home,” he said, setting his forehead against mine.
“Or you call Bennett and see if he’s willing to meet you for some drinks so I can check having sex with an inebriated dragon off my checklist later tonight.”
Konni huffed out a breath and hugged me.
“Any news from Pennly?”I asked.
“He’s sending a signed copy of the revised investor agreement to Felix.Felix will stop by the estate tonight so your mom can sign.The confidentiality agreement will keep Pennly quiet about who the investor is.”
“Thank you for agreeing to that.”It’d been a topic we’d touched on during one of our many breaks on Monday evening.I’d been worried that baiting Lianna and whoever was behind Mom’s targeting at the same time would be too much at once.And Lianna would definitely be baited once she realized the roadblock she’d planted to pressure Konni was gone.
“Anything.Always,” he said, kissing my forehead.“Any chance you’ll work in here until you have to leave?”
“Let me grab my tablet.”
What remained of the hour went toward teasing Konni and reviewing the remaining projects on the escalation list.
Kaya’s timely arrival to whisk me off to start an evening of fashion adoration was just the rest I needed.
As promised, I sent Miranda pictures of the pieces I loved—everything in the store—and consulted with her on the custom necklace Kaya was requesting for me.We were both disappointed that I couldn’t meet the elusive designer.But I promised I’d take one for the team and keep ordering custom designs until I did.
With just enough time to spare, Kaya and I returned to the estate to change.
While the outfit I’d worn to work would have been appropriate, Kaya wanted me to wear something more girlboss to reinforce that I was the one behind the changes at Steele.So I picked a simple pantsuit set accessorized with the earrings and bracelet from Konni.
Kaya used her phone to record a quick fashion critique of my outfit.Probably for Konni.After a quick early dinner and assurances from Mom that she wasn’t feeling excluded, we left again.
“She really is okay,” Kaya said in the car.“She’s been looking into the Riverfront project since you messaged her.I can’t tell you enough how impressed we were by the design enhancements you made.It went from an average, overpriced resort to a destination resort.Pennly is lucky you got involved, and Abbye’s beyond inspired by the way you’re shining.She’s healing more than her arm right now because of you.So, don’t worry.Keep doing your thing and being a role model.”
The unwavering certainty behind her words allowed me to be fully present for something I’d dreamed of—attending a live fashion show.
Having a front-row seat to take in the designer’s works was better than I’d imagined.And so was the networking with other like-minded fashion enthusiasts and designers afterward.
On the inside, I was giddier than a child let loose in a candy store as I mingled with designers I only dreamed of meeting.From the outside, I only let people see the polite, coolly composed Sophia, well aware of the photographers quietly documenting the event.
It felt like the show had barely ended when Kaya’s phone started to buzz.She excused herself to make a call.When I glanced at the time, I knew who’d messaged her and pardoned myself as well.
“Don’t bother,” I said, catching up to her before she found a quiet place.“We saw what we needed.We can go.”
The polished way she smiled told me we were still being observed, and I matched my expression to hers as she hooked her arm through mine to walk together toward the exit.
We kept our conversation focused on fashion until we were in the car again.
“I’ll call him,” I said when her phone started ringing.“But first, thank you for tonight.It was amazing, and I’ll go with you to any future fashion shows you want.”
“Make sure to tell him you made that promise and gush about how much fun you had.It’s the only way he’ll give you up for this long again,” she said with a wink.
I didn’t just gush to him over the phone all the way home, but also as he carried me upstairs to cuddle me while he listened.
“Have you thought of designing clothes yourself?”he asked when I paused.
“Eventually.When I’m ready.”
He rumbled his approval.“I’m starting to understand that it’s not just about doing things on your own to be independent.You’re methodical in everything you do.Steele was always meant to be a stepping stone to hone your skills and make connections, wasn’t it?”
I grinned at him but didn’t answer.I didn’t need to.Konni was quickly becoming the person who knew me better than anyone else.My comfort.My rock—solid pecs, concrete abs, and a hard “support” I used to release every ounce of my tension and pass out in his impressive arms.
Those same arms refused to let me go the next morning until my stomach growled.
