“Good? He’s incredible. It’s not fair that he can be this talented.” I sigh, smiling. “You must be so proud.”
“Proud is an understatement,” Cal murmurs, turning back to watch his son.
Neither of us says much as the band transitions into a Frank Sinatra medley for the first hour as more people enter. I don’t know how much time goes by without us saying anything to each other, but I don’t think we need to. The music alone is enough to fill the silence, and it’s not as awkward as I thought it would be.
After we’ve been standing for a while, Cal and I walk around the room, chatting with different business owners. He doesn’t introduce me as his son’s girlfriend, but instead by my full name, and I appreciate it. Mostly because I still need to talk to Evan about whatever the hell that was all about. But Cal introducing me asmegives me a sense of power that would’ve been lost if my introductions were led by the fact that I’m dating a millionaire’s son. I want my name to mean something on its own. And from the way Cal lets me lead conversations with big CEOs, he must sense that too.
When I look back at the stage, a different pianist is in Evan’s spot. I scan the room quickly to see where he might’ve disappeared to, but I can’t find him. Someone taps my shoulder, and I gasp, turning around to find the culprit.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I breathe out, gripping on to Evan’s forearms. He just smiles, his cheeks the cutest shade of red. I can’t help it. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply. He sighs into my mouth, his shoulders dropping. “You’re . . . You’re incredible.”
He chuckles, shaking his head as he pulls apart. “That’s just what seventeen years of practice does for you.”
“Please,” Cal scoffs from beside us. I drop my arms from Evan’s neck and he snakes his hand around my hip instead, tugging me into his side. “You were a natural the second you got in front of a keyboard. I knew you’d be good from the start.”
Evan’s flush only deepens, and I have the urge to cover his entire face in kisses. He’s cocky about everything else but this, and it baffles me. He’s got to know how proud everyone is of him.Hedid this. Not because of his dad or his family’s money. He did this because he’s talented and he put in the work. He should be proud of that.
A tall brunette woman wearing a dark pantsuit appears behind Cal, a hand on his shoulder. She looks familiar in a way I just can’t put my finger on, but from the way Cal’s face lights up when he sees her, I can tell they must be close friends. They exchange hellos before she turns to Evan and I, her eyes widening.
“Evan, I almost didn’t recognize you. I didn’t know you were performing tonight,” she says, folding her arms against her chest, an empty champagne flute hanging out of one hand.
Evan smiles proudly. “Yeah, it’s my first time being part of the orchestra. It’s really nice to see you.”
“You too, and congratulations, that’s huge!” Her smile is so radiant that we’re all beaming in seconds. Something about her energy shifts the tone in the room, like sunshine peeking through blinds. I’ve never felt someone’s aura so positively before.
“Oh, this is Lina Brown,” Evan says, squeezing my hip. “She’s the CEO of a new sustainable fashion company.”
“You must be Scarlett Voss,” Lina says, holding out her hand to mine. I shake it, looking between Cal and Evan.
“How did you—”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” she says, nodding smugly. She must catch my confusion because she laughs, waving a hand in Cal’s face. “Not from these two. I’ve been in talks with North University. I’m planning to host a little talk before the semester’s over, about a program I’m running through the summer.”
“Oh, wow, that’s amazing,” I say, not bothering to hide my surprise.
Lina nods again. “Your professors speak very highly of you.”
“They do?”
“Yes, but between you and me, they’re worried you’re not getting the most out of your degree since you’re not picking up any art or fashion design classes.”
I swallow, patting at a flyaway stuck to my forehead. “I thought focusing on business and analytics was the smartest decision.”
“But it’s not what you’re most passionate about, is it?” I don’t respond. I don’t knowhowto respond. How does she know this? I’ve included designs in assignments before to back up my work, but it’s never been a main focus point for my classes. I didn’t think anyone besides my academic advisor really noticed that. Lina sighs, offering me another smile. “Look, you’re probably the first to hear about the opportunity, so you’ve got a head start. I think you should apply. And if you’re accepted, there’ll be one-on-one mentoring with me and other people from Glow throughout the summer, focusing on designing and bringing those pieces to life with the team.”
“That sounds incredible,” I say in awe. “I’ll definitely think about it.”
“Good. Here’s my card.” She hands me a pink business card, shaking my hand again. “Congratulations again, Evan. I’ll see you around, Cal.”
When Lina leaves, I’m pretty sure Evan and Calahan are saying something to me, but I’m barely computing anything. What the hell just happened?
I’ve heard about Glow over the years, but this past quarter has seen the true rise of their business. Lina is constantly bringing something new and fresh into the fashion world, and being able to work closely with her would be incredible.
I finally bring myself back to earth to see Evan and Cal smiling at me. I grip Evan’s hand. “Do you think I should do it?”
He laughs as if that’s what he’s been saying this whole time. “Yes, Scarlett.”
“But my family—”
